Tributes have been paid to Richard Jacobs, the chief executive of national certification body Organic Farmers & Growers, who has died at the age of 50.

Richard, who was also known as Jake, was well known and respected throughout the organic food and farming sector.

He passed away peacefully in the early hours of Sunday morning, following an illness.

He leaves his wife, Amanda, two stepchildren, five children and their mother, Stephanie, his sister, Kas, and his brother, Steven, who is the research and development officer at OF&G.

Richard Thompson, chairman of Organic Farmers & Growers, said: “Richard had spent his career in the organic sector and was widely known as a forward-thinking and practical, yet modest man.

“He typified OF&G, being focused on getting things done with hard work and integrity and standing firmly by his principles. I know that there will be very many people saddened by this news. I speak for myself, all of the staff and my fellow directors when I say that we will miss him greatly.”

Richard Jacobs began his career at Organic Farmers & Growers in 2000, rising rapidly through the ranks and taking over its leadership by 2004.

Prior to this he was the farm manager at the Organic Research Centre, Elm Farm, and before that had worked in a variety of roles in organic farming and the sale and manufacture of organic foods.

Certification and compliance manager Stephen Clarkson has taken on day-to-day management of the company.