Mike Autton, who himself worked for HMV for 40 years until recently retiring, has written a tribute to Whitmarsh, with contributions from former MD and group COO Brian McLaughlin and former Universal Classics & Jazz managing director Bill Holland.

Autton says, "I had the good fortune of working with Ken for many years when we were both at the 363 store. Ken was mentor to a great many of us in the Seventies and provided a very good start to ...