Robert Hill, who was head of the Hills Group for more than four decades and was a leading figure in Marlborough Golf Club for many years, has died at the age of 74.

Mr Hill died on Thursday afternoon, just 24 hours before the opening of Marlborough International Jazz Festival, which his family company, the Hills Group, had sponsored since it started almost 30 years ago.

There was a minute’s silence in his memory at the start of the festival opening ceremony outside the Castle and Ball Hotel on Friday afternoon.

Mr Hill had suffered a long and debilitating illness and following his death the golf club flag was flown at half-mast out of respect for the man who was a past captain, chairman and president.

Mr Hill, who is survived by his wife Rosie and five sons, Michael, Chas, William, David and Jamie, was a dynamic man both in the business world and in his sporting life.

He was at the helm at Marlborough Golf Club from the mid-1980s until advancing ill health forced him to stand down as president recently.

The golf club issued a statement to its members saying: “We are very saddened to announce the death of Robert Hill.

“He and his family business have been constant and generous supporters of Marlborough Golf Club for many years.”

Mr Hill joined the committee of the club in 1984 and chaired its development committee which oversaw the modern clubhouse on the Common.

His company continues to sponsor the Wiltshire Professional Championship which has been played at Marlborough for 34 years.

His oldest son Mike, chief executive officer of the Hills Group, issued a statement to its staff saying: “Although it is obviously with great sadness that I announce the death of my father, Robert Hill, retired chairman of The Hills Group, it is also with great pride and happiness that I remember him.

“His leadership and charismatic personality will forever be associated with a significant part of the Hills Group’s history during which he oversaw both difficult and hugely successful times.

“I ask that you focus on the funny and happy memories that you may have of him. His life is definitely one to be celebrated.”

Robert Hill was also a keen bowls player and represented the county.

Ernie Newell, who was the Gazette and Swindon Advertiser’s golf columnist for many years, said: “Robert was a lovely chap and made a great contribution to the club.”

Mr Hill was a grandson of Edward Hill who founded Hills of Swindon, then a brick-making business, in 1900. Under the leadership of successive generations of the family, the Hills Group has grown into one of the leading independent waste management and recycling companies in Britain and, together with its quarrying and house building interests, has operations that span Wiltshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Dorset.

Born in Swindon, Robert Hill was educated at Clifton College and Bristol University where one of his cohorts was John Cleese. Mr Hill was involved in Cleese’s early appearances on the stage.

Mr and Mrs Hill have lived in Marlborough for many years.