I met Ian way back in 2007 when our heads came together as customer and supplier. That business friendship soon shifted to a personal one when our music and life likes showed us in a very similar light. I only wish he were living in England or myself in the Netherlands as we didn't get to spend a lot of times together outside of work.
The times I spent with Ian on the phone, video call or one to one in an office were always a pleasure. When you walk into an office for the first time meeting you have that level of nervousness, but from the moment Ian introduced himself I was made to feel at ease, and every meeting from there on in was one of a pleasure to attend, especially if it were to be followed by a beer or two after hours. Once we were in that non-work location our brains immediately turned off from business, not by agreement but more for the fact that we had so much fun just chatting and laughing about music, sport and food - oh and beer.
In later years Ian's role changed but that didn't mean our friendship ceased, after all our knowing each other was never about the work after the initial meetings we had.
I learned of Ian's illness last September and I felt confident that he would pull through, and that we would meet up this year before I retired.
This news saddens me greatly and I will honestly remember Ian for the rest of my life.
Goodbye Ian, my friend.
Mark Hammond
