TRIBUTES WERE paid yesterday to businessman Richard Keatinge, who died at the age of 60 last Friday after a long illness.

One of the pre-eminent investment bankers of his generation, he was best known for his work at the helm of IBI Corporate Finance and as chairman of Heiton when it was bought by Grafton Group in 2005. He was business editor of The Irish Timesbetween 1975 and 1978.

"Richard was a driving force during his time in IBI and brought great success to the firm. His enormous application, intellect and stamina were exceptional. Above all, he was a good friend to his colleagues," said Róisín Brennan, chief of IBI Corporate Finance.

Mr Keatinge was managing director of IBI Corporate Finance from 1993 until 2000 and held various senior positions at its parent, Bank of Ireland, between 1978 and 1990. He was executive chairman of NCB Corporate Finance for a period in 1991 and was executive director of property firm Hardwicke from 1991 until 1993.

In 2000, he became chairman at Heiton. "He was an inspiration to us in Heiton," said its then chief, Leo Martin, now chief operating officer at Grafton Group.

"He was a very human man, a very hard-working man. He had a keen intellect and he had a great sense of the business and business needs. He brought a dimension to Heiton from the shareholders' perspective that allowed it to proceed with the Grafton transaction in the best interests of shareholders."

Mr Keatinge was a non-executive director of Spar owner BWG, Allianz insurance, Stafford Holdings and PJ Carroll. He was a director of the Irish Takeover Panel, a governor of St Patrick's Hospital and chairman of its finance committee.

"Despite his illness, he attended every meeting and contributed greatly," said William Cotter, chairman of the hospital. "He was a larger-than-life guy, who loved life, and one of the most hospitable people, and he was a great organiser of activities for his friends."