“The tragic death of Stella Darby-Rowles on Wednesday 6 August has left her many friends and industry colleagues stunned and deeply saddened,” writes Mike Bluestone (managing director of the BSB Group).

“I had the very great privilege of witnessing at first hand Stella’s professionalism and love of her job as operations director for Cadogan King – the manned security division of the PCS Group.

“Stella was one of very few female operations directors in our sector, and was a larger than life character. Her strong personality and charismatic style endeared her to both colleagues and clients alike. Stella’s untimely passing is even more tragic as she was due to marry her fiancé Andrew Grigsby on Saturday 16 August.

“Stella was also a devoted mother. Our deepest condolences go to her daughters, her sister Debbie and fiancé Andrew.”