A stalwart of the East Anglian farming community and successful business entrepreneur has died aged 85.
Alan Ernest Doe, chairman of agricultural, construction and groundcare machinery dealership Ernest Doe & Sons, died suddenly on Saturday.
He was grandson of the company’s founder, Ernest Doe, and still attended its offices in Ulting, near Maldon, five days a week.
Under his leadership, the business diversified in the 1950s and 60s into supplying construction and groundcare equipment, and latterly with his son, Colin, further increased the company’s branch network. The company now employs over 500 people, trades from 19 locations across the whole of East Anglia, Kent, Surrey and Sussex and has a turnover of £115million.
He is survived by his wife, Jill, children Diana, Colin and Marian, and seven grandchildren.
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