I first met John in 1987 at the tender age of 16, he was the first work colleague to immediately treat me as an adult and listen to the ideas of a very young, budding engineer. His desktop mantra of ‘Poor Planning on your behalf does not constitute an Emergency on mine’ pretty much summed up John’s management style. With a dry sense of humour and an apt (but not always politically correct) turn of phrase, John could get points across that no one wanted to hear without batting an eye. The most valuable thing John taught me, was how to be selective with working commitments, a skill I’ve found most valuable throughout my working career. Of all the people I’ve met and worked with over the years – no one has taught me as much as John; colleague, mentor, friend and comedian – I will miss you. Ian B