The joint chairman of the construction giant Clancy Group has died at his home in Penn.

Dermot Clancy sadly passed away aged 67 on Tuesday, September 10.

He was joint chair of west London-based Clancy Group, one of the largest privately owned construction companies in the UK with a workforce of 3,000 people.

His devastated family have paid tribute to Mr Clancy, saying his "huge personality, his smile, cheeky disposition and big heartedness will be a loss to the hundreds of lives he touched".

Reports online suggests Mr Clancy may have been involved in a tractor accident at his Bucks home, although this has not been confirmed.

Born in London into a first-generation Irish immigrant family, Dermot spent his early years in Wembley, as his father strove to create a better life for his family, eventually setting up MJ Clancy & Sons Ltd in 1958.

Dermot was educated at Challoner School, Finchley, and went on to study business studies in which he qualified in 1972.

He met the love of his life, Vicky, at the age of 18, and they went on to marry in 1974.

After college he joined the family business and quickly worked his way up to being appointed as a director in 1975.

Following their father’s death in 1984, Dermot and his brother Kevin became joint managing directors of the re-named Clancy Group. He remained in this role until he and Kevin became Joint Chairmen in 2012.

With the support of their sister, Mary, Dermot and Kevin successfully developed the Group into one of the largest privately owned construction companies in the United Kingdom.

Away from business Dermot was a member of the board of governors of the Beacon Preparatory School in Amersham for 10 years - which his family say was a "source of great personal pride" after four of his five children attended the school.

He was also a huge sports fan and filled his diary full of sporting fixtures including rugby, football, golf, tennis and horse racing.

His family added: "Above all, Dermot was a family man. He was devoted to his wife Vicky, and his five children – Danny, Ronan, Kieran, Joanna and Jack.

"Dermot was never happier than when he was surrounded by his family around the dinner table at his home in Penn.

"He was a famously generous spirit, and welcomed hundreds of people into his home for parties, and at places like Royal Ascot, Twickenham and Wembley.

"He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, fun, family values and friendship."