Tributes have been paid to a well-known businessman who lived on the Suffolk/Essex border who has died suddenly.

Robert Morgan, 59, of Little Cornard, died after suffering a reported severe brain haemorrhage. He was reportedly taken ill on June 7 and admitted to West Suffolk Hospital, where he died three days later.

Mr Morgan, whose business background was in the outsourcing industry, restored the Stockwell Arms pub in West Stockwell Street, Colchester – the oldest pub in the town which had been empty for a year – to its former glory in November 2012.

Jamie Liddell, editor of Outsource Magazine, described Mr Morgan as a “genuine giant of the outsourcing world”.

He said: “I only had the pleasure of meeting Robert on a very few occasions, but was struck – as were a huge number who encountered him – by his remarkable perspicacity, his overwhelming enthusiasm for the industry and for best practice, and above all by his infectious bonhomie.

“The twinkle in his eye lit up the room and the sourcing space alike, and he will be sorely missed.”

Mark Lewis, head of commercial at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, said: “Without any doubt, Robert was a pioneer and a towering presence in the IT/sourcing/outsourcing industries. Like all entrepreneurs and leaders, he was driven and spirited.”

Catherine Luckman, head of adviser and analyst relations at Atos, said: “He was a true gentleman – extremely sensitive, and passionate. I am deeply saddened.”