Former Marketing Birmingham’s Dave Hodgson dies of cancer

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Former Marketing Birmingham Communications Director Dave Hodgson has lost his two-year battle with cancer. He had lately worked in Dubai as Meydan Corporate Communications Director and passed away on New Year’s Eve in hospital in Dubai.

Dave had contracted an aggressive form of metastatic skin cancer and leaves a wife, Natalie, and seven-year-old daughter.

He moved to the UAE in 2009, shortly after he was diagnosed with the rare melanoma. After an initial round of treatment was successful, he was told in July 2011 he had less than 12 months to live.

Dave had tried a new treatment in Chicago, even returning to work briefly.

His funeral will be held at the Warwickshire church where the couple had a marriage blessing in April 2011.

His ashes will be spread across the lake at his home and also at Wigan Athletic Football Club of whom he was a fanatical supporter.

His wife led tributes to her “amazing husband” and thanked “all who had fought with him.”

Marketing Birmingham Chief Executive Neil Rami, told CN: “Dave was a charismatic character and lived life to the full. He was an excellent marketeer, a committed manager and played a major role in developing the city’s reputation as a visitor destination. His move to Dubai demonstrated his undoubted skills and ambition. Our thoughts are very much with his family at this time.”

An obituary posted on This Northern Soul, a Wigan Athletic internet fanzine said: “Dave will be sorely missed far beyond the realms of his friends and family amongst hundreds if not thousands of Latics fans and football fans.

“As a man, he charmed me many times with his spirit and humour and downright stubbornness in fighting a deadly killer.”

The Birmingham Post, 15 December 2011, carried a moving feature on Dave Hodgson and his fight against cancer.

Any conference-related news? Email pcolston@mashmedia.net

3 Jan 12

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