TRIBUTES have been flooding in for Black Country business leader and former police chief Mike Holder who died yesterday (Sunday October 5).

The business community and his former police colleagues were today still in shock at the news of Mike’s sudden death from a stroke.

He was 64.

The retired top cop (pictured) spent 30 years in the police force - winding up his distinguished career as chief superintendent at Brierley Hill Police Station.

And he continued to serve the Black Country community after his retirement - heading up high-tech Cradley Heath based security firm Cougar Monitoring in Powke Lane.

A tough spokesman on crime, he also advised hundreds of borough businesses on how to protect themselves against crooks in his role as director of the Dudley Borough Business Crime Partnership - and as a member of Home Office committees dealing with crime prevention.

He was the original president of the Black Country Chamber when the Dudley Chamber merged with Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton a few years ago.

Current Black Country Chamber president and close friend Peter Mathews led tributes to Mike - describing him as a “giant of a man - who played a big part.”

He said: “I will miss his banter and support.

“His death is a great loss to the West Midlands business community. Mike was always there to help businesses and his integrity and support will be missed by all who knew him. He was a guy who really worked hard for the Black Country.

“He played an instrumental part in bringing together Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton Chambers to form the Black Country Chamber when many people thought it would be an impossible task. He was the one who made it all happen; he was the driving force, and he was an excellent president.

“Everyone at Black Country Chamber sends their condolences to Mike’s family and friends.”

Chief superintendent Keith Baldwin, chairman of the West Midlands Police Superintendent’s Association, said: “Mick was one of those larger than life characters that you don’t come across very often, but have a real and long lasting impact on you when you meet them.

“He touched and enriched the lives of so many people during his 30 years with the force and his death will be a sad loss to the people of the West Midlands.”

Dudley South MP Ian Pearson added: “Mike Holder was a true champion of the Black Country and will be sorely missed. He combined natural charm with a ready wit and was never afraid to speak his mind.

“He developed a national reputation as a vigorous campaigner against business crime and senior politicians of all parties would seek his advice on the subject.

“The Black Country - and in particular its business community - has lost a real friend and a powerful advocate.”

Good friend and colleague - Ian Brough, director of external affairs at Richardson Capital LLP - who worked with Mike for more than ten years, added: "Mike was a true Black Country man who left his mark on everything he did.

"Not only was he fully committed to everything he did but he also always had a brilliant sense of humour, and would see the lighter side to make all that he did fun and enjoyable."

Mike, who lived in Stourbridge, leaves a wife Lilian; two grown-up children Andrew and Nicola; and three grandchildren.

Funeral details have yet to be confirmed.