Charity bosses have led tributes to Neil Jameson, the former leader of Citizens UK, who died this week aged 76.
Jameson became executive director of the community organising charity Citizens UK when it was founded in 1989, staying in the role until 2017.
Prior to this he worked for Save the Children and The Children’s Society.
Matthew Bolton, who took over from Jameson in 2018, described his predecessor as “a visionary”.
Bolton said: “Neil led Citizens UK from humble beginnings to national prominence and influence today.
“He helped to launch and sustain the real Living Wage movement, pursued and curbed the power of pay-day lenders, and challenged government policy on asylum and refugees to open up legal routes for child refugees.”
The charity will help organise “a public celebration” of Jameson’s life in the near future, Bolton said.
Manny Hothi, chief executive of Trust for London, called Jameson “a true giant of UK civil society”, adding: “Very sad news and our thoughts are with his family and our friends at Citizens UK.”
The Barrow Cadbury Trust, a charity which funds and supports social justice work, said: “We are so sad to hear about the death of the remarkable Neil Jameson.
“He will be very much missed by those he influenced, including us, as well as those he championed over many years.”
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said yesterday on social media: “Neil Jameson was tireless in campaigning for social justice and his commitment and passion improved the lives of thousands of Londoners across our city.
“He will be much missed but his legacy will live on. My thoughts are with his family and friends today.”
Citizens UK said that Jameson’s family had not disclosed his cause of death.