Bruntwood’s Kate Vokes dies in skiing tragedy 

The firm said it is “heartbroken” by the death of Kate Vokes, who was a non-executive director and former director of social impact at the property company, as well as being chair of the Oglesby Charitable Trust.

The sister of Bruntwood chief executive Chris Oglesby and her son Archie died while on holiday in France over the Christmas period after an avalanche in the Alps. 

Vokes, who was 54, and Archie, a 22-year-old personal trainer, died on 28 December while skiing at the resort of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains.

News of the incident emerged on 31 December. A statement released by Bruntwood said: “We’re heartbroken to share the tragic sudden loss of Kate Vokes and her son Archie.  

“As Oglesby Charitable Trust Chair, our non-executive director, and sister of our chief executive, Kate was loved and respected by so many. We will miss them terribly. The family kindly ask for privacy at this time.” 

A statement from the charitable trust described Kate Vokes as “a real changemaker” who “connected effortlessly on a personal level with everyone she encountered”. 

Manchester City Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig also paid tribute to Vokes. 

“Kate Vokes played a significant role in Manchester and was a great champion of many social and cultural causes in our city,” she said. 

“She was known for her passion, commitment and energy [and as] someone who believed passionately in the positive social impact that business could have, and exemplified it through her work as chair of the Oglesby Charitable Trust and her involvement with charities helping children and young people in the city.”  

She added: “[Kate] was also known as a committed champion of culture in Manchester and across the country, through her work with the Royal Exchange Threatre and the Bruntwood Prize.   

“She will be very sadly missed. We would echo calls for her family’s privacy to be respected at this extremely difficult time.”