Stephen Proctor, chairman of Sports Marketing Surveys (SMS) for Europe and the U.S., has passed away. His family has asked to keep his age confidential. The British entrepreneur acquired the business in 1984 and led it for many years, helping to turn into one of the major consultancies in the sports and sporting goods sectors, with a global presence. He sold its European part in 2008 but then took it back three years later and shared it with other investors in 2018. Robert McCowen, a previous non-executive director of SMS who worked with Proctor since 1985, has taken on the role of acting chairman.
“He will be warmly remembered and sorely missed,” said SMS. “All of us at Sports Marketing Surveys will remember and treasure his integrity, his incisive mind, his generosity with time & advice and his overriding passion for the business, which he leaves in strong shape,” the company added, proposing that those who knew him send a message to the following address for a tribute page being put together in his memory: ed.willis@sportsmarketingsurveys.com
