EMI Records announced today that Shelagh Macleod, former Senior Vice President of Legal and Business Affairs has died after a long battle against cancer. She was 53.

In 1989 she became Virgin's music division director of Legal & Business Affairs. Following the acquisition of Virgin Records that year she progressed within the company moving to her present position three years later. She retired from EMI in 2002 to fight her battle against cancer.

She won the prestigious woman of the year award in 1996 and was described today by EMI Group chairman Eric Nicoli as a “vibrant, dynamic and much loved colleague - we will all miss her”.

She is survived by her husband of 16 years and her two children.

In a statement issued today her husband, the former Radio One controller Matthew Bannister, says, "I have lost the most wonderful wife and Jessica and Joseph their beloved mother. As one of the most successful women in the British music industry, Shelagh was loved and respected by everyone who knew her. She leaves a gap in our lives which will never be filled. But we are comforted by the certainty that she is at peace with God and will live on in our hearts."

Macleod's funeral will take place at 11am on Tuesday 1 February 2005 at St.Luke's Church, Sydney Street, Chelsea, in London. Flowers will be family only, with other mourners asked to make a donation to the Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign in her memory of Shelagh. Cheques should be payable to the Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign and be sent to: Fundraising Department, The Royal Marsden Hospital, Downs Road , Sutton, Surrey SM2 5PT.