Tributes were paid yesterday to David Williamson, the managing director of Matthew Algie, the Glasgow-based coffee importer and roaster, who has died at the age of 42 after a short illness.

Mr Williamson, a sixth-generation descendant of the founder of the 144-year-old company, died at his home on Thursday.

The father-of-five children from two marriages took over as managing director from his father Charlie in January 1995.

During his tenure the Gorbals-based company, which sells coffee to 60% of the UK's four and five-star hotels, including Gleneagles, and whose customers also include the House of Commons and Scottish Parliament, doubled in size despite an increasingly competitive market.

Mr Williamson's wife, Morag, said yesterday: "David was a loving husband and fantastic father to his five children and will be sorely missed by all his family and friends."

Gary Nicol, the company's finance director said: "Everybody at Matthew Algie has been rocked by David's sudden death. We will sorely miss his incredible passion, drive and spirit."

Mr Williamson's great-great-great-grandfather, Matthew Algie, established the company in 1864. It employs about half of its workforce of about 180 in Gorbals, and has around 40% of the UK Fairtrade market for coffee. About 25% of its business is now Fairtrade.

Mr Williamson attended Glasgow Academy before taking an economics degree at Edinburgh University.

Before joining Matthew Algie as marketing manager in 1991, he worked as marketing manager with Cumbernauld Theatre and Glasgow's Mayfest.