One of Hartlepool's greatest ambassadors has died - a tribute to 'true gentleman' Alby Pattison

Alby Pattison was the founder of international company Hart Biologicals, which has its base in Hartlepool.

Today the town has paid tribute to a man who was so much more than just an entrepreneur. His achievements were huge inside and outside of business.

Hart Biologicals said “we regret to inform you of the sudden passing of Albert ‘Alby’ Pattison” and offered “condolences to all his close friends and family”.

A statement added: “Although we can never replace Alby, as a company we will strive to carry on in his footsteps, furthering research projects, community efforts and local initiatives that he held so dear.”

Alby grew Hart Biologicals from a small start-up in 2002 to an award-winning medical diagnostics company which moved to a state-of-the-art building at Queens Meadow within seven years.

He was Hartlepool's Business Leader of the Year in 2016. Two years after that, he was awarded the MBE for his services to international trade and the economy in the Tees Valley and to charity.

He was awarded the Freedom of the Borough from Hartlepool Borough Council and spent his life promoting Hartlepool.

His astonishing record of making such a difference led to him winning the Hartlepool Mail’s Best of Hartlepool Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.

In true modest style, he told the Hartlepool Mail at the time: “To be recognised for doing something that I would like to think is positive for the town is really nice.”

He remained a researcher and consultant with the firm after “passing on the reins in 2019”.

Outside of business, Alby raised thousands of pounds for a range of local charities including Alice House Hospice, Get Kids Going and the Stroke Association.

He was a keen runner. Many will remember him from his regular Great North Run achievements and he also had a love for many other sports, particularly rugby union.

Alby was a governor at High Tunstall College of Science, a trustee at Ad Astra Academy Trust and an ambassador for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

In more recent years, he took up the role of chair of the Hartlepool Town Deal Board. His achievements reached far and wide and he was, throughout it all, a true gentleman.

He was the deputy Lord Lieutenant of Durham and a one-time vice chair of governors at Manor Community Academy.

Alex Ebinger, current managing director at Hart Biologicals, said: “I came straight here from university. Alby was my first employer and he had a lot of confidence in me. I was under his tutelage.

"Even when he stepped back from the business in 2019, he was still interested in our research work and was still a consultant for the business. Alby was an incredibly down to earth person and it was always lovely to talk to him.”

Mark Tilling is head teacher at High Tunstall College of Science where Alby was first a pupil and later a governor for more than a decade.

Mr Tilling said: “It is a very sad day for the town and the school.

"He was supportive to the umpteenth degree. He was so personable and understanding. He wanted the best for everyone in the town.”

Mrs Sue Snowdon, His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham, said Alby was ‘a first-class ambassador for the Lieutenancy and our region, bringing vast business experience and we benefited from his knowledge’.

She added: “Alby was very kind and considerate, he loved to get involved with good causes and make a difference to his community.

He was an active and much valued member of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service working party. He supported and saw the great benefits of this award and did much to promote it to local voluntary organisations.

Alby was proud to be from our region and passionate about supporting its future development and its communities.”

Pam Hargreaves, the owner at Water Babies Tees Valley and co-founder of the Foundation for Women in Enterprise, said she was ‘proud’ to have sat on the boards of numerous organisations with Alby.

"He was such an inspiration within the business community. A hugely successful businessman who always found time to give back to good causes and to the community.

"You would be hard-pressed to find a more passionate and committed individual.”