Willie Robertson, co-founder of the specialist music and live entertainment broker Robertson Taylor, has died.

Robertson passed away on the 9th July 2011 after battling cancer.

In a statement, the company said: "The board, management team and staff at Robertson Taylor are greatly saddened by the loss of an inspirational and passionate leader, business partner and friend."

Robertson was a founding member, governor and an instrumental figure in music charity Nordoff Robbins' development over the last 36 years.

Robertson, together with Bob Taylor and Ian France, established Robertson Taylor in 1977. It is now a subsidiary of Oxygen Insurance Brokers.

Taylor said: “Cancer is a relentless and ugly enemy, and I know that Willie fought it all the way to the end, determined not to give in.

“Ian France and I were his partners and friends for in excess of 40 years and to say that he will leave a gap in our lives is truly an understatement. Willie was a prolific producer of business and a tough and challenging partner throughout our long and incredibly successful relationship. The three of us along with help from many of the current team built what we now know as Robertson Taylor.

“Over the years he made many life-long friends who have been in regular contact with his family and I over the last few weeks. The support has been overwhelming coming from all across the world.

“I am extremely saddened by this news after such a short illness but, I am equally determined that all his good work will go on. As you probably know, for Willie, there was no work and separate private life, it was all work. His work was his life and he was talking to and about his clients’ right at the very end.”

Andrew Wallin, managing director of Robertson Taylor, added: “Anyone who met Willie knows what a legend he was and understands what a sad loss this is. His work family at Robertson Taylor will dearly miss his, as will his friends and colleagues at Nordoff Robbins, the charity he worked so hard to champion. His dynamism has been constant throughout the history of Robertson Taylor. Our thoughts and prayers are with Willie’s family.”

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