A London-based director of Boyden Interim Management has died in Switzerland in an apparent skiing accident, the company announced on Friday.

Steve Birtles, originally from Blackpool, had been in executive recruitment for 12 years and joined Boyden from KPMG Interim Management where he specialised in finance, IT and programme management interim

recruitment in both the private and public sectors.

Mr Birtles lived in East Grinstead with his wife and two children. He was an archaeology graduate from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and a former member of the Parachute Regiment.

Boyden chief executive Nick Robeson said, "We are an extremely close-knit team, and Steve was an integral part of that team. We are deeply saddened, and offer our heartfelt condolences to his wife and children."