It is with profound sadness that Helical announces the death of its former Chief Executive and Chairman, Mike Slade OBE.
Mike was one of the defining figures in Helical's history and a highly influential leader within the UK property industry. He led the Company for 35 years, including over three decades as Chief Executive followed by three years as Chairman, before retiring from the Board in 2019.
Mike's association with Helical began in 1984, when he reversed his private property business into Helical Bar, then a quoted company whose principal activity was the manufacture of steel reinforcement for the construction industry. Mike led the transformation of Helical into a major real estate developer, while shaping the firm’s culture and entrepreneurial approach to property that continues today.
Alongside this, Mike’s commitment to philanthropy saw him grow LandAid as the principal charitable cause of the UK property industry, raising c. £20 million during his tenure as President. He also chaired the appeal to build the Oak Cancer Centre at The Royal Marsden in Sutton, which opened in 2023 following a £70 million fundraising campaign.
The Board, colleagues and former colleagues of Helical extend their deepest sympathies to Mike's family and friends. Mike's energy, ambition and irreverent sense of fun made him an extraordinary leader and colleague. His influence on the Company is enduring and Helical will remain immensely proud of the business he built and the values and culture he instilled in it.
Robert Fowlds, Chairman of Helical: “Mike was a titan of the property industry, whose energy and entrepreneurial spirit helped create the business that Helical is today. This was matched by his enthusiasm and generosity, which made an indelible mark on the people he worked with and the numerous charitable causes he championed. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time.”
Matthew Bonning-Snook, Chief Executive of Helical: “Mike was a truly inspiring leader and a force of nature. I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent almost a quarter of a century working alongside him in what felt like an endless adventure. His infectious personality, humour and boundless energy created a culture at Helical that everyone wanted to be a part of. He was quite simply one of the most respected and loved people in the industry and he will be greatly missed by everyone that had the privilege of knowing him.”