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Former Helical Chief Mike Slade OBE Dies, Tributes Paid by Industry

Mike Slade OBE, former chief executive and chairman of Helical, has died, according to an announcement by the London property developer and investor. Slade was born in 1946 and became one of the best-known figures in the UK property industry, leading Helical for 35 years.

Slade served as chief executive of Helical for more than three decades, followed by three years as chairman. He retired from the Helical board in 2019 at the age of 72. Helical, which has a track record in commercial, residential, and mixed-use development, described Slade as “one of the defining figures” in the company’s history.

Slade’s association with Helical began in 1984 when he reversed his private property business into Helical Bar, which was already a listed company at the time. Helical Bar’s principal business was then manufacturing steel reinforcement for the construction industry. Slade subsequently transformed the company into a major property developer, and Helical credits his entrepreneurial approach with shaping the culture of the business.

In addition to his work at Helical, Slade played a significant role in the property industry charity LandAid, serving as president during a period when the organisation raised around £20 million. He also chaired the appeal to build the Oak Cancer Centre at The Royal Marsden in Sutton, which opened in 2023 following a £70 million fundraising campaign.

Tributes from Helical’s leadership highlighted Slade’s impact on the company and the wider property sector, as well as his contributions to charitable causes.