I first met Robert at university where we both studied BSc Computing Mathematics back in 1988. We were the nerds who always sat in the first front rows during lectures! Shortly after Robert and I became good friends along with a few others who then became a team of best friends.

We were at the same campus in our first year and then shared a house in our final year. I remember him not being a great chef and Uncle Bens rice was his daily staple. He was always out on the weekends doing something sporty like badminton or rugby and hence affectionately named Mad Dog Henderson.

After graduation, I moved back home to London and Robert started to follow the path of becoming an accountant. I started at EY UK as a Lotus Notes Administrator and when Robert told me he was really not enjoying Accounting, I told him that we were hiring for another administrator and that he should apply. Lo and behold he got the job and moved down to London (despite not being a fan of the city!)

Oh my! Those early days at EY UK were the best! We had so much fun together building servers, implementing the UK Notes Infrastructure and fighting over which European countries we were going to setup as we expanded into EMEA. We worked so much overtime it was unreal but then we were in our 20’s and full of energy!

Soon after Robert began to ascend and cement his amazing career at EY. I had then transferred to the US office for a change in scenery – as you do when in your late 20s. We still worked together and a few years later he became the EYI Global Notes Manager. That is when he “persuaded” 😊 me to become the EYI Americas Manager – I only took up the offer knowing that he would be my manager and I would be in the best of hands. He was truly a great mentor and provided much needed guidance through a difficult period of transition.

Looking back at his career at EY Robert far exceeded the norm - his talent and accomplishments were exceptional. The last time I spoke with Robert was after an EY event he had attended in the US, when his boss had (unexpectedly) asked him to speak at one of the sessions. Robert spoke to the audience about his cancer diagnosis and his approach to acceptance and working with it to change its course. He was a fighter and he wasn’t going to let it get the better of him and he put in all the steps for the hopes of better outcome. His cancer was an analogy to problem solving and the unique way he looked at it. He told me that after he had finished, everyone rose to give him a standing ovation. He was really taken by surprise and he was overwhelmed by how many people came up to him afterwards to thank him for his inspiring story. I told him that he was blessed with a wonderful gift and that he should write a book – he thought that was funny!

Aside from my work relationship, Robert was always my friend first. I have so many good memories from university and work that I have caught myself chuckling over the last few days. Little things like the countless debates (arguments!) we had and his “insistent … I’m not going to let it lie” nature!

The odd way in which he held his pen and wrote.

His whistling/humming.

His laugh!

I truly cherish the 30 years of friendship I had with my dearest Robert who remains forever in my heart.