Lakehouse founder Steve Rawlings, who was also founder and chairman of construction charity Building Lives, has died.

The board of Lakehouse confirmed the news in a Stock Exchange announcement this morning saying the philanthropist “died peacefully after a short illness, surrounded by his family and friends”.

The company said: “The Board of Lakehouse plc regrets to announce the death of Mr Steven Rawlings, founder and director of Lakehouse plc.

“He died peacefully after a short illness, surrounded by his family and friends.

“The directors and employees of Lakehouse would like to extend their sincerest condolences to his family. A further announcement will be made in due course.”

Rawlings founded Lakehouse in 1988 and returned to the company earlier this year following a long-running boardroom struggle with the new management team installed after its float last year.

Rawlings, 62, also founded construction charity Building Lives to give a leg up to the young urban unemployed.

However, the charity was forced to close at the end of last month as it was unable to secure sustainable funding sources.

Lakehouse acquired Scottish energy services group Everwarm in April 2014.