I first met Cecil in 1999 and was immediately impressed with his charm, his intelligence and despite being a public figure of some note he was very down to earth.
I remember asking him, with some trepidation, to join our Board as Non-Executive Chairman which he gladly accepted. I think he quite enjoyed the world of technology as it was such a contrast to his career to date.
Cecil has been a great help to myself; always there with good advice; always prepared to listen; always supportive. He kept me on the straight and narrow and we were a great team. My gruff go get ’em attitude and his considered sophisticated way.
Together we created and sold quite an impressive array of businesses. The sale of Planet Online to Energis, the sale of Planet’s dial up business to Dixons (Freeserve), the sale of Sports Internet Group to Sky, the sale of Storm’s security division to Magirus, the sale of Storm to Arrow ECS, the sale of Intechnology Managed Services to Redcentric; the list goes on.
He has over the past 18 months been bravely fighting his illness, asking nothing of anyone, never using it as an excuse, typical of the man he was. My only minor consolation is that he isn’t suffering anymore.
I will miss his advice, his leadership and most of all his friendship. One rarely finds people of such moral and ethical strength combined with such dignity and care. A truly great man, a rare breed.
On behalf of myself and the Intechnology Group, we offer our deepest condolences to his wife, Ann and his family.