2021-01-09 19:08:15 wrote:

I met Kevan when I joined his team at Kantar. I had the pleasure of sitting opposite him for most of my time in the company. It was always a pleasure to get to the office, usually before other people came in, and find him at his desk. We would chat about our day, what was happening in the world in general and our lives...but mostly cats :) he would share pictures of his much loved furry friends and I would share pics of mine, as we shared this passion. Back then, he was in a completely different “phase” of his career than mine, to say the least! He was already daydreaming about and meticulously planning his retirement, whilst I was at the very beginning of my career. But that didn’t matter, because Kevan could connect with anyone. He actually showed a lot of interest in colleagues with slightly different stories or backgrounds, and he really couldn’t care less about the company hierarchy. In fact, Kevan taught me a HUGE amount in the couple of years I worked under his leadership in the Lifestyle team. So perhaps the best way to use this space is to share some of the most important things I learnt from him, that I’ll certainly carry with me for the rest of my career. Kevan taught me (all of us) to be honest and direct in the workplace. Kevan ALWAYS spoke his mind, whether he thought we could “do better” (in which case he always made sure to explain his point of view and advice on HOW we could do better) or whether he was impressed with a job we had done (in which case he would often simply say “well done, good work”...but I can confidently say Kevan’s were the most honest “well dones” I’ve ever received in my career). I think this straightforwardness, honesty, “speaking your mind” kind of attitude is an absolute rarity to find in the workplace, and one I learnt from Kevan, for which I am very grateful. Kevan also taught me (again, all of us) by example how important it is to always find time to listen to your colleagues and team members. Kevan was a great listener. He would always find time to speak to every single one of us in the canteen every year for an hour or so, to just discuss how the year had gone for us personally, nothing work related. I was very junior, he was a Board director, but when we had our chats he would always be PRESENT: I was going through a tricky time in the summer of 2018 and he was so supportive, offered his advice and truly listened. Kevan taught me, SHOWED all of us, that no matter how many times you talk to a person or a colleague, no matter how “more junior” they are, you can still make a positive impact as long as you CARE, and as long as you listen. On his last day before retirement, we all joined his leaving speech and, when David Buckley handed over to him, all Kevan talked about was his colleagues and his team. Even after 30 years in the business, he couldn’t think of anything else he would miss more when retiring: people were his number one. His leadership taught me that no matter where you work, what you do or why: the people you surround yourself with are what makes your career worth enjoying and ultimately what leaves the best memories once you take your next path. Kevan clearly had a whole new phase of his life ahead, his much awaited retirement. It is devastating to think he will not have the chance to enjoy it, like he deserved. I cannot even imagine what his family must be going through - and if you’re reading this, I want to express my deepest condolences. I just want you, all of Kevan’s friends and his dear ones, to know that he certainly left a mark and he will be forever remembered.