Sir Michael Marshall, of Marshall aerospace in Cambridge, has died aged 87.

Sir Michael Marshall was educated at Eton College and read History at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he also gained his Rowing Blue and rowed for Great Britain.

Before attending university Sir Michael completed his National Service as a pilot in the Royal Air Force between 1950 and 1952.

He joined the family business in 1955 and was appointed Managing Director of Marshall (Cambridge) Limited, now known as Marshall Motor Group in 1963. Sir Michael was also appointed Deputy Chairman of the Marshall Group of Companies in 1965.

In 1989 he became Group Chairman and Chief Executive. 22 years later in 2011 he handed over his responsibilities as Chief Executive to his son, Robert, and Sir Michael remains Chairman of the Group.

Sir Michael Marshall had an extremely distinguished record of voluntary service, including with the Cambridge Appeal for the British Olympic Association, the Prince’s Trust Fundraising Committee and The Ely Cathedral Restoration Appeal.

As well as his commendable work, he is the President of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, Chairman of the Court of Benefactors of the East Anglian Air Ambulance, the Honorary Air Commodore of the Anglian Regiment of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and a member of the Council of The Prince’s Charities.

Sir Michael Marshall was awarded a CBE in the 1999 Queen’s Birthday Honours and a knighthood in the 2010 New Year’s Honours.

Our thoughts are with his family

Follow our blog below for reaction and tributes as Cambridge mourns the death of Sir Michael Marshall.