England retired in 2007 after spending more than 25 years in print. He died on 7 May following a short illness.

He began his print career in 1980 at HMSO in Gateshead, where he was deputy works engineer.

During his time in the industry England became a highly-respected expert in web offset, and managed some of the largest factories in the country, including RR Donnelley’s York and Gateshead operations, and Goodhead subsidiaries Benhams and BGP. He also worked at Quebecor’s Corby plant.

John Cooling, the former Goodhead Group chief executive, worked with England for nine years. He said: “He was the best person I ever worked with. You could trust Ron implicitly to get on with the job and do it properly."

”We've lost one of the most wonderful, kind, funny, smart, impish, intelligent and sensitive men I have ever known. I will miss him terribly," Cooling added.

York Mailing group sales director Norman Revill also paid tribute. During Revill’s time at Manroland he negotiated with England over many major capex deals.

“I will always remember Ron as perfect gentleman, an amazingly astute businessman and outside work, a truly entertaining and funny man who loved his family,” Revill said.

“I remember as a young salesman Ron gave me his time and later Ron became a true friend who I respected and admired. He will be truly missed by all who knew him.”

England is survived by his wife Christine, his three children and four grandchildren.

The funeral will take place on 21 May and will be a private family event.

Donations in England’s memory can be made c/o Hunnaball of Ipswich www.hunnaball.co.uk telephone: 01473 748808, and will be divided between Woolverstone Wish and St Elizabeth Hospice.