Colin Brace, chairman of Newport-based Brace’s Bakery, has passed away after a short illness, aged 96 years.

His son, Mark Brace, who runs the bakery alongside brother Jonathan, told British Baker he was widely respected throughout the industry.

Colin Brace, who was the grandson of the founder of the bakery, George, has worked for the business since 1946 during the end of the Second World War.

Colin Brace enlisted into the army before joining the family business and carried on working up until last week when he fell ill.

“He will be sorely missed by us all,” said Brace’s Bakery. “We saw Colin last Thursday (8 February) at the bakery when he came to work, as he did most days.”

Some of his highlights during his life included receiving an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2013 for his services to the baking industry and to the community in Wales.

Tributes poured in through social media following the announcement of Brace’s death, describing the chairman as a “momentous man with pride and integrity” and “a massive loss to Brace’s family and friends”.