JOHN Guy was one of this city's most influential and well-liked businessmen.

He was also, through his involvement as a long-standing judge of our prestigious annual Business Awards, a personal friend of The Press.

Today would have been his 53rd birthday. Sadly, he is not around to celebrate it.

The head of advisor services at Business Link York and North Yorkshire died last Thursday after being admitted to York Hospital with stomach cancer.

Our thoughts go out to his widow, Kathy, and daughter Emma. He will be sadly missed - not only by the local business community, but by the many people beyond it to whose lives he made such a difference.