ONE of the pioneers of the modern security industry who made Broadway his business base and spiritual home has died at the age of 71.

Jorgen Philip-Sorensen, owner of the Farncombe Estate, died peacefully in Switzerland on January 18 following a long battle with illness.

He was with his wife and children at the time.

He was instrumental in creating G4S – the world’s leading international security group – where he was chairman of the board of directors until 2006 and President Emeritus until his death.

Mr Philip-Sorensen was born in Malmo, Sweden, and was educated both in his country of birth and Denmark. He worked for his father’s security company in Sweden and England and went on to start the majority of Group 4 companies outside Scandinavia.

In 1971, Mr Philip-Sorensen initiated the campaign for licensing of the UK private security industry.

His ambition was realised with the Royal Assent of the Private Security Bill in 2001. It was in 1964 that he acquired Farncombe House and then Farncombe Farm in 1968.

The estate now covers more than 300 acres and includes the Dormy House Hotel and Cotswold Conference Centre.

As well as the security industry, Mr Philip-Sorensen’s other business interests included hotels, yacht racing and Ecover – a manufacturer of environmentally friendly cleaning products.

In his spare time, he enjoyed sailing, photography, travelling and book collecting, and was also a great supporter of many charities including Save The Children, The Foundation for Liver Research, the European Centre for Allergy Research and was a founder member of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

In 2000, Mr Philip-Sorensen was awarded a CBE for services to the private security industry and in 2008 he received the Knight of the Danish Flag from Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.

Colleagues described him as “an endless source of inspiration and motivation”, a remarkable businessman and inspirational leader.