Marcia Roberts MBE, former chief executive of the REC, has died following a long illness.

Roberts, who was honoured with Recruiter’s Individual Achievement Award for Outstanding Contribution to Recruitment in 2009, served at the REC from 2000 to 2007. She started her tenure at the REC in the role of director of external relations. She later took on the role of deputy chief executive officer and subsequently the role of CEO.

She was awarded her MBE in the 2009 New Year’s Honours List for her tireless work on behalf of the recruitment industry and championing diversity. In an REC statement, Roberts was described as “a strong advocate of the recruitment industry and its ability to positively change people’s lives”.

Tributes to Roberts began pouring in Tuesday morning after news of her death was revealed.

REC chair Angela Masters said in a prepared statement: “Marcia was a champion of our industry, a great leader and an inspiration to members and the staff at the REC. I enjoyed her company and came to consider her a good friend.”

Former REC chair Gary Irvine added: “It was a pleasure to work closely with Marcia during my time as chair of the REC. As well as her drive and vision, she will also be remembered for her empathy and kindness.”

Recruiter editor DeeDee Doke said: “Marcia was a strong and highly capable leader who set the highest standards for the recruitment industry – and for herself. She believed that recruitment was a profession and an industry that deserved respect, and she was driven to guide the rest of the business world into sharing that vision. Her death is a profound loss to UK recruitment.”

The REC statement went on to say, “At a later date, the REC will find an appropriate way of celebrating Marcia’s life. Our thoughts at this time are with Marcia’s family.”