Celebrating the life of Andy Brown

I first met Andy in 2011 after I joined TGI in Ealing when I started to receive several of his emails from haphazard typists unaware that he now had a namesake in the building. Initial confusion over, we worked together regularly to build many of his presentations and speeches – including one in French that proved a valiant effort, although one he swore he’d never do again. I was fortunate that those first few years of ad-hoc projects at TGI turned into a permanent placement leading comms in Andy’s transformation team. Whether during late-night re-writes of his presentations, early breakfast run throughs or long cab rides between offices, I felt deeply honoured to have the privilege of working with Andy up-close, learning more about the industry every day and shaping the way the business would evolve and grow. But what made that time so special was spending time with such a fantastic bloke. Our shared love of sport meant conversations quickly turned to football or cricket - regularly breaking away from meetings in the office to catch-up on the latest England run chase. As the World Cup takes centre stage once again, I particularly remember how excited we both were when England reached semi-finals in 2018 that we built an entire global townhall around the theme of Gareth Southgate’s approach to team building! In recent years it was always a joy to spend time with Andy who remained so courageously active throughout his illness. I fondly look back on an evening at the cricket in Canterbury and a pre-match pint at his favourite North London pub where I had to hide my West Ham colours (and I do remember he correctly called it that the Hammers would win that day – although alas I’ve missed being unable to dissect our relegation and England’s fortunes at the World Cup with him in recent weeks). I feel deeply fortunate to have had Andy as a friend and mentor and owe him a great deal. He cared deeply about the businesses he led and the people he served – and went above and beyond to put others before himself. He has been an inspiration to me and countless others and will be forever missed. Thank you, Andy.