Ian and I worked closely together on the Airwave project many years ago, as I was working with the ACPO Comms team for PW and we were both from NYP. He immediately helped me to understand the necessary issues and guided me through things. We formed a friendship that was to truly last. I recall being on holiday in France some years ago, queuing at Mont St Michel and seeing Ian and Amanda in the line ahead - albeit surprised, it was wonderful as always to see him and we both laughed. During the TDF planning, when he and I met to discuss staffing, the meeting was as always jovial and relaxed, and he was the easiest of all commanders to deal with, being always realistic and calm. Ian and I often joked together when work was a little troubling, that it was ‘these southerners,’ both of us being from Newcastle and being able to say this about North Yorkshire colleagues, albeit in humour. Ian I will miss you, your guidance, your calm and methodical thinking, and I will miss your smile and humour. I’ll light a candle for you when I visit the Toon next. Robert Thorpe