Tributes have been paid to former Openwork chairman Kate Avery, who died last month aged 60.
Ms Avery's family said she passed away peacefully at her home on November 9 following complications caused by Covid-19.
During her long-standing career in financial services Ms Avery, who was also known as Ms Vine-Lott outside of her professional life, served as a senior executive at Barclays and as an executive board director at Legal & General.
Most recently she headed up advice network Openwork as its chairwoman, before stepping down at the end of 2013.
Cindy Griffith, financial planning consultant at Cavendish Brooke, said: "Sometimes unusual in one so successful, Kate’s incredible warmth and kindness were very special and her playful side, which often appeared at the most unexpected times, always had me laughing.
"Allied to her fierce intellect was a talent to cut through fluff and get straight to the heart of matters; if you ever wanted an honest answer, Kate was your lady.
"She loved to help others and I for one shall very much miss her wisdom, support and more importantly, her friendship."
Her husband Tony Vine-Lott said Ms Avery would be remembered with "much fondness" by her friends and colleagues.
He added: "She was very highly regarded for her integrity, intelligence, foresight and in-depth knowledge of the industry.
"Well loved for her willingness to help anyone in need - professionally or domestically - her ever present smile and her sense of fun. Her many friends and family across the world will miss her terribly."
A driving force for diversity and inclusion
A spokesperson for Legal & General told FTAdviser Ms Avery had been a valued colleague during her time on the company's board between 2001 and 2009.
They added: "She brought marketing skills and a combination of commercial acuity and a customer-centred approach to her roles at L&G, as well as driving forward the diversity and inclusion agenda from every position she held.
"She will be much-missed and our thoughts are with Tony and her family."
rachel.mortimer@ft.com
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