John was trained at John Laing during the 1950s to gain wider industry experience and in 1967 joined the family business founded by his grandfather Robert Kirkland and Alfred Bowmer in 1923.

He assumed responsibility as chairman in 1976 and remained chairman for 43 years until in 2019 he was succeeded by his son Jack.

For the past three years he, along with his brother Robert, has been a life president of the company guiding and supporting the main board.

A company statement said: “His contribution to B+K has been immense.  In 1999 he received an OBE for services to Derbyshire, in particular for his former role as Chairman of Derbyshire Ambulance Service.

“He served as chair of both the Derbyshire Learning and Skills Council (LSC) from 2000-2008 and the LSC East Midlands Regional Council from 2004-2008.

“He was the longest serving Director of Derby County, President from 2006 until 2008 and invited to rejoin the Board in 2017.”