The UK classical industry has been greatly saddened to hear of the death of one of its long-standing members, Andy West.

Andy began his career at Transatlantic Records, a label he approached after leaving school as they recorded his favourite band at the time, Stray. Initially working in the accounts department, he soon transferred to sales, and later still moved from rock and pop into classical and jazz. Over a long career, primarily in sales and business development – the behind-the-scenes roles crucial in connecting labels with listeners through relationships embracing retail, media and much more – he worked at many of the labels whose recordings so enrich the classical catalogue. These included PolyGram, Chandos, Naxos, ASV and Discovery (where, together with colleagues Mike Cox and Charles Padley he started up the Discovery Music and Vision label), before concluding his career by returning to Select (Naxos), from which he retired earlier his year.

A colleague from Naxos UK, its Managing Director, David Blake, well captures the way Andy will be remembered: 'Work is a serious business, but Andy saw no reason for it to be po-faced. He was a fantastic salesman, sharp as a tack and intensely knowledgeable across a wide range of music. His sense of humour and complete absence of attitude meant he was perhaps the most liked person I have ever known.' 

Which is how Gramophone remembers him, as someone of unfailing friendliness, and we send our condolences to his wife and family.