Neil Murray

Summing up colleague, journalist, editor, industry ambassador and friend, Neil Murray, is remarkably difficult due to his eclectic mix of interests and larger-than life character that made him a genuinely unique person. Having originally trained in law, for which he most certainly had the intellect but probably not the patience, Neil found his way into business journalism where he would excel. This started with a broad range of roles in print publishing before guiding his team into the digital age. He joined as the Editor of what used to be known as Foodnews (now the Processed Food Commodities division of Agribusiness, IHS Markit) in 2001. During those 20 years, he was fantastic at bringing in complete newbies (as he would call them) and training them to care about uncovering the truth of the situation in the industry they represented. His legacy of market reporters at top companies like IHS Markit ICIS, S&P Global, CRU, Bloomberg or who went freelance says a huge amount. Neil had a real eye for the potential in people and knew how to inspire and bring out the best. He openly encouraged former staff when they eventually moved on elsewhere, knowing that he had helped train them up to the high standards required in business journalism and cleared the path for their future progress. During this time he also cultivated thousands of industry contacts, many of whom also became friends. He became so knowledgeable about the juice and beverages industry, industry leaders would eagerly await his calls, knowing they would get as much out of it as he would. As one former contact said: "Always looked forward to a call from Neil. It was a time you could push your chair back from your desk and just have a giggle." Those who knew Neil know that he would do things the way he wanted, with energy, enthusiasm and humour. There was never a dull moment. You could usually tell Neil was in the office if you heard one of the following: patter of socks on carpet as he'd slung off motorbike boots but never quite managed to find his shoes; a cry of "anybody want to buy eggs, honey"; loud discussion over the state of anything from the juice market to politics; or expletive-laden tirades when the IT failed him again (or his uncanny ability to break things struck). He would spark up especially strong relationships with colleagues and industry contacts who had similar hobbies: motorcycling, buying, repairing and selling classic bikes and parts, photography, skiing, and Morris Dancing. The storage and regular dispatch of boxes of motorbike parts and petrol cans from the office meant relationships with Health and Safety and Postroom staff weren't as strong. He loved to travel and would regularly endear contacts and friends by taking them single malt, Quality Street chocolates or other delights that were hard to get in their home countries. Neil's ranging intellect, engaging personality, infectious enthusiasm and alpaca wool jumpers brought energy and colour to our lives in a way that only he could. Neil was a truly unique individual, completely his own man, and will be greatly missed.