I met Rich on our MBA course at Cass in 1999, but I think it's fair to say it was our mutual interest in football rather than management studies that made us mates.

In the years that followed we kept in touch for an occasional game of 5-a-side or to watch a match, or at Arsenal when Liverpool were playing. On other occasions it was when a few of us from the MBA course would meet up for a few drinks (or 'scoops' I should say. It was always 'scoops'), invariably organised by Rich.

He took his evenings out seriously and brought some professional planning to them. Once when I was going to Liverpool for a weekend, I asked him for a tip or two about where to go. I was expecting a favourite pub but instead he provided me with a hand drawn map of the city centre with a full itinerary, including ideal timings for a pub crawl starting early in the evening and ending in the small hours.

He had a twinkle in this eye and an easy going nature. At any one time he was only a moment away from an irreverent laugh. He was great company and leaves very fond and vivid memories.

Sandy M