He inherited me from his predecessor; first week in his new job at Kaplan - continuity meeting, an instant understanding, getting on like a house on fire.
Jim had his moments back then - shouting at onsite trades meant I had late night calls from installers caught in the crossfire, they were told he had to take a later flight for a family holiday - to make sure the project was delivered on time.
The mark of the man.
A quick word and the storm settled easily enough
“We’re just two Northern lads, speaking our minds and getting the job done” he would say.
He mellowed with the years. We laughed a lot.
I’m already missing Jim.
Many will say he left big shoes to fill.
For me, it's a very large hole in the landscape.
My heart goes out to his family, and those colleagues who were lucky enough to work with him every day.
Our penultimate text thread was on the 14th of December.
His sign off was: “Thanks mate appreciate it”
Likewise Jim.
requiescat in pace