Tony gave me my first proper job. It was January 2009 and I'd been temping for over a decade, most recently as HR Assistant under his then-deputy Michael Carling, and Tony began my interview for the permanent role with the wonderful line, "Let me start by saying: you've got the job." I was a big fan from then on. We stayed in touch when I left the National after four memorable years, and he was still giving me HR help and advice just three months ago, and I owed him more than one thank you pint in the NT bar. It doesn't surprise me that Tony didn't share news of his illness widely - the enigmatic side of his personality was one of the things which made his company so enjoyable - but it makes his sudden passing all the more shocking and saddening. His death is a great loss, and he will be much missed.
Tony gave me my first proper job. It was January 2009 and I'd been temping for over a decade, most recently as HR Assistant under his then-deputy Michael Carling, and Tony began my interview for the permanent role with the wonderful line, "Let me start by saying: you've got the job." I was a big fan from then on. We stayed in touch when I left the National after four memorable years, and he was still giving me HR help and advice just three months ago, and I owed him more than one thank you pint in the NT bar. It doesn't surprise me that Tony didn't share news of his illness widely - the enigmatic side of his personality was one of the things which made his company so enjoyable - but it makes his sudden passing all the more shocking and saddening. His death is a great loss, and he will be much missed.
