Leading housebuilder Derek Mickel dies in Canary Islands Tributes have been paid to former Mactaggart & Mickel chairman Derek Mickel, who has died while on holiday in the Canary Islands. It is understood Mr Mickel, 79, drowned while swimming at Fuerteventura on Saturday. Mr Mickel served as chairman of the Glasgow-based housebuilder for eight years up until 2012. His son Andrew, a fourth-generation family member, is group director of the company. A spokesman for Mactaggart & Mickel and the Mickel family said it was "with great sadness" that his death had been confirmed. He added: "Mr Mickel was a prominent Scottish businessman, having joined the housebuilder as a third-generation family member in 1961, becoming a director in 1966 and serving as chairman of Mactaggart & Mickel for eight years up to 2012. He continued to be a director of the business. There will most likely be a post-mortem given the sudden nature of his death, therefore no further details are available at this time. The family would request for a period of privacy and respect to be observed at this time.