Recruitment firm boss and cricket lover Mike Bailey has died, aged 59, after a long battle with cancer.

Mr Bailey founded Sittingbourne-based JM Recruitment with his wife Karen 12 years ago and grew it to become a business with turnover of more than £2 million, which also employs their one daughter Abigail.

He was a keen cricketer and played with St Lawrence and Highland Court. In more recent times he became a supporter of Kent Cricket.

His love of sport also extended to American Baseball and he was a fan of Arsenal.

Mr Bailey, who lived in Boughton-under-Blean, near Faversham, was a popular member of business support group Canterbury BNI.

Before he became ill he had begun negotiations about a merger with Folkestone-based recruitment firm Red Eagle.

The deal was completed shortly before Mr Bailey died on July 29, meaning the firms will share back office resources and sales expertise.

Red Eagle boss Wayne Hodgson has become the company’s new managing director.

Mr Hodgson said: “Mike and I became friends back in 2002 when we briefly worked together in recruitment.

“We both set up our own businesses in 2004 and although competitors in the recruitment industry, we still remained friends.

“Mike was such a likeable guy and he will be sorely missed by everyone who came into contact with him.”