Ken Lacey

I had the pleasure of working with Ken on several different things, most notably he was my most senior lead working with the North East on the NHS. This was the toughest engagement and Ken was a beacon of light - his care, support and humour were a god send and I will always be grateful for that and the many fun nights and events he was kind enough to include me. A sad loss but a great person to have known - thank you.

I first met Ken in the Autumn 1989. I had joined Andersen Consulting's Business Development Unit and after six weeks of induction in Arundel St I visited the Manchester Office, Charlotte Street, to introduce myself and outline my role in the organisation. After explaining to Ken that my role was to promote and sell Mac Pac application software in the North of England and Scotland and I was to be based in London and looking to relocate to the South East. After some thought, Ken said, "Leave it with me Rog". One and half hours later I was informed that I would be joining the team based in Manchester.

I first met Ken many years ago when the kids were small.
over the years we had a couple of ski holidays , met at dinner parties football and get togethers of one form or another.

Ken always engaged in conversation in the way I think he did everything else in his life, with passion,enthusiasm and boundless energy.

When you met Ken t was always " Hi how are you" ? his eyebrows would rise when you introduced a topic or fact in discussion, maybe in encouragement, maybe in surprise, but always with a smile.

We both ended up seeing a Bruce Springsteen at the Stadium of Light, we at opposite sides of the arena.
It was a fantastic concert even though the rain was torrential.
Bruce and the band gave it their all. I think Ken and Bruce share this trait in life and although in the face of adversity in the last while Ken perhaps listened a little more than he spoke, the essence of his energy shone through.

When people are gone they leave something for everyone, so from me thank you Ken for your never ending Joie de Vivre!

Many a Happy Thanksgiving at Holly Bank House

When I think of Ken, I think of him with a HUGE smile, and usually holding a child - first his own, and later one of my own or somebody else’s! We were very, very lucky in-laws to get to claim him as part of the family. We miss that big, exuberant, kind, fun (and maybe a little argumentative!) personality very much. ❤️

It is with great sadness and regret that we were unable to meet Ken. He seems like a fun, spirited soul. We share a Grandaughter, Ava with him. We look forward to meeting with the rest of the family someday soon. 🙏💜☮️

One of the most enthusiastic, energetic and solidly decent people I've ever known. Many great memories...always full of laughter.....including some great sailing trips. Rest well my friend.

Ken was godfather to our daughter Lily, a shareholder in my business and a great sparring partner on both the golf course and the squash court. I shall miss him very much in all of these capacities.

The best mentor ever ! Enthusiastic in everything he did. I never saw him grumpy once and I must have tried his patience sorely.
Fond memories of our last wine tasting in Mallorca.

I never had the opportunity of working closely with Ken, but I always enjoyed his company. He had a much deserved , reputation as a fine professional and an equally fine human being. My condolences to Ken’s family and his many friends.

I was a consultant working with Ken 1997-2006. It was early in my career and he was THE role model for me. He combined the sharpest of minds with a kindness and lightness of leadership I greatly admired. I marvelled at his ability to absorb information and identify the key points. I have spent my whole career aspiring to be like Ken. I will continue to ask myself: what would Ken do? I am so lucky to have had the chance to work with him.

Ken was wonderful company, positive and generous.

Always an inspiration both at work and play.

Together we were passionate Liverpool supporters and we both saw them win all the silverware.

He will be missed

Rest in peace

Andrew

Ken and I shared a group house in Houston while we were attending Rice. At one point we decided to take turns cooking dinners for the group (Ken, Cisco Escobar, Kevin Parker, Scott Thurston, and me). The first two dinners were pretty normal. Then it was Ken's turn, and he had the brilliant idea of "martinis and chili dogs". Gigantic martinis were consumed, and several went out (not me, as I had a 24-hour real analysis final to complete), and I only heard about it later: Some highlights were wild driving on the nearby golf course, and getting kicked out of the Rice basketball game for being "too loud" (I didn't know that was possible). Those were strong martinis!

ken’s laugh and smile he was such a positive man sadly missed xx

I’ve sailed with Ken, played tennis and drunk multiple rums with him,( tho couldn’t keep up!) Lovely fella and I miss him. Brian sumner

So many lovely memories of Ken- including singing Ooh Stick You on the ski chairlift.

Any social occasion would gain a lot from Ken being around, always happy to see you. Always very engaging, positive and warm. Keen to ask questions and relate to you.


We will all miss Ken xxx (pic from my wedding)

I am so sad. Ken was such a leader and mentor. Earth is a little less good and heaven got a big upgrade.

Ken, buddy, rest in peace.

What can I say - we loved Ken, he was a joy. Always smiling, always interested, truly engaged with everyone around him.
Goodbye Ken we’ll miss you xxxx

Ken was always great fun whatever he was doing. I have many happy memories of us together with our families and friends on the ski slopes. He was ever ready to help the children and less experienced skiers.
He was a fantastic tennis partner , leaving us in fits of laughter as he threw himself across the court.
Ken was also a very caring Godfather to Victoria.

For all the memories

Ken was an inspiration to us all. Happy go lucky and a mad keen football fan and player. I'm glad I knew him as a work colleague, friend and football player

Well Ken you fought many battles over the years but this one was too tough even for you.

So many memories but two stand out.

Catching the early train from Macc to London most weeks with you running over the bridge shoelaces and tie undone while I tried to get the guard to wait another 30 seconds.

Your foray into football club ownership with Warrington Town FC. It wasn't enough just to be a director. You insisted on actually playing for them. The 30 year age gap counted for nothing. And of course the players all thought you were great.

Ken, you had many gifts but perhaps the most important was your humanity and completeness. In the 40 years I have known you I can't remember you ever saying anything bad about anybody. Even more unusually I can't recall anybody ever saying a bad word about you.

Rest in peace mate.

You were the best Ken. 🤍

I could not imagine anyone better to share the last 40 years with!! Great fun, great mate! Will miss every minute. Cheers

My heart fell when I read the news of Ken’s passing. He was so special, so one of a kind, and so thoroughly good. Strangely, I had just been thinking of him a few days previously, having not seen him in years. My memory was of telling him that he had the incredibly rare gift that Bill Clinton was said to have - that anyone he speaks with, feels like they are the only person in the world and that they have his full attention and interest. It was true. Ken would change the energy level in any room he walked into. All his colleagues would suddenly sit more upright and stand a little taller. There was no one like him while we were at Andersen together, nor since. He was a great listener, a great leader, a great friend. My deepest condolences to all his family.

A privilege and honour to have known Ken. A gentleman, an intellect, a comic, a truly great guy both on and off the tennis court. Brought ‘light’ to any room he entered and conversation he joined. Rest in peace Ken.

Ken was a genuine really full on nice guy. A pleasure to work for and with . Sincerest condolences to his family

Ken was an exceptionally generous and encouraging mentor. Few would have had his patience with the likes of me, as a precocious twenty something consultant, but he somehow always found time and energy for all, regardless of their level. I remember informing him of my decision to leave Accenture, after he had himself announced he would be leaving the firm. After also informing him that I would stay were he to stay on, he responded to me with a laconic, "I think I'll probably still be leaving". Thank you Ken for making the time.

I first met Ken when he joined our “boys’ walking weekend” in Chamonix in 2001. Many more such expeditions were to follow over the years – Pyrenees, Austria, Dolomites, Scotland, and numerous Mallorca!
All memorable and much enhanced by Ken’s company. So grateful…

Dear Ken,
I do not know what or where the afterlife is but I am sure that you are in the Priority Check-In Lane and reading your tributes with a wry smile. I want to add to those tributes as a series of ‘thanks’:
Thankyou for being the first to visit Christopher at home after he was born. Thankyou for bringing the Cuban cigars and red wine. I still have the cigars after nearly 25 years but I think the red wine lasted only 25 minutes. Thankyou for performing the miracle that stopped Christopher from 48 hours of non-stop crying. As has been wonderfully observed in another tribute, this was truly ‘mesmerizing.’
Thankyou for making work travel more tolerable. Whether it was our countless train journeys to and from London together or transatlantic flights musing over what the ‘resort casual’ dress code might be, you were a wonderful companion.
Thankyou for making the fun times more memorable. From the Stellenbosch winelands to your beloved Mallorca, a walk to Prestbury or our times in the Bull’s Head, I will treasure those occasions in your unique company.
Thankyou for always assuming it was your round and so graciously accepting when it wasn’t!
Thankyou for the incredible precision with which you always communicated how late you were running, only to revise your original estimate, at least twice.
Thankyou for creating and adhering to the ‘Ken rules’ when coming over to our house. Never use the doorbell, always take your shoes off and tie the dog up outside so as not to scare our cat.
Thankyou for agreeing with everything I ever said about Scottish football in general, and Celtic in particular.
Thankyou for the many years of cherished friendship with you and Grayson.
David Squire

Grayson. This is David. Friend. Mesa and l only just learnt from my friend Lucho of the sad loss of wonderful Ken. I am not on social media so didn't know. I am so sorry and sad, shocked and l send my condolences and love to you and the family. A beautiful gallery of photos and am sure you will support each other. A wonderful family. I was looking forward to seeing Ken and you when here and better weather. Ken was a friend and always laughs, fun and intelligent chats. A true genuine guy and l remember driving Ken back from our drinks to his car parked at festival park or too your amazing finca. Such good times, lunch drinks and memorable company with both of you. My memories will never fade. On my mind since the news of the loss of a gentleman and please be strong. You both enjoyed beautiful travels and created a beautiful family. If you need any help, advice then l have contacts. If in the future you decide to sell the finca then l represent a London finance currency company here so can save you money and at no cost. For the family or good causes. Grayson l am so sorry and my thoughts are with you and family. My mobile. Wats is 637 33 87 72 should you need. I raise my glass of vino for Ken tonight. Love David..

Kenny and Ronnie were my cousins. I’m 6 years older than Kenny. I loved Uncle Miles and Aunt Jody so very much! My favorite memories, I still can see Aunt Jody running around at grandma’s house with a spoon of food chasing the boys with the spoon trying to get them to eat one more bite of food!
Both Kenny and Ronnie loved my parents, Ray & Jerretta Mouser,
It was always fun to go visit them in Oklahoma. And they would come home to Wichita often staying at Grandma’s house. Rest in Peace with our Lord dear Kenny. Love,💕 Joycie

I first met Ken at Macclesfield Station in 1990 whilst waiting for my late night train back to London where I was a student. The train was cancelled so myself and the only other person on the platform (Ken) shared a taxi to Wilmslow. During the journey I bent his ear about applying to for graduate jobs in management consultancy. He listened (and humoured me) then gave me some great insight and pointers for my application. Only at the end of the journey did he tell me he was with Andersen Consulting. "oh wow, thats interesting" says me ... "what do you do there?". He, smiled, winked at me and said quietly "Partner" before boarding the train (at the front!!).

Ken commanded such a presence in Kingsley Hall but somehow seemed unflappable and found time for everyone.

Lovely man. My thoughts are with his family. Al

Ken...where do I start? Whenever I think of you I just think of laughter. Everyone was always so happy to be around you. You had this rare gravitational pull that made people want to be with you, to know you and just simply be in the moment. Something as I get older I realise is truly rare. I feel honoured to have known you and call you family. Our hearts are broken but also full of so much love for all the amazing memories made together. One that sticks out for me is building Tee-Pee's in Spain I think it was? Always the first one to get involved in any adventure and the leader of the pack. Fun was Ken's middle name and he never let us kids down! Rest easy Ken x

Nothing I write will really do Ken justice - he was a kind, patient and slightly bonkers boss then became a friend …. I feel privileged to have spent so many years working as his EA. He drove me mad mostly but I adored him. I just hope “them up there” can keep up with his energy and thirst ! Rest in peace Mr Lacey xx

To paraphrase my wife, Lynne, we may all still be here, but Ken outlived us all.

Whenever I was with you, Ken, I felt alive and in the moment, and that the possibilities in life were endless. You not only lived life to the fullest, you had a gift of bringing us all along on that ride. I love you so much, Ken, I cannot believe you are gone.

My wife and I got to know Ken and Grayson in Palma, where we live........and what can I say.......he was a wonderful person.......great company, with a witty sense of humour - speaking proudly about his family with much love and affection..........our thoughts are with Grayson, and your family........we will raise a toast to Ken.........a lovely man taken far too soon........xx

Ken was a legend of the Manchester Office in Accenture and not a bad footy player either. One of the first partners I knew and always had time for you. RIP Ken.

I will never forget Ken’s laugh…it was infectious. I have so many cherished memories with him, all the holidays spent together growing up, Ken doing dares on New Year’s Eve, coming for runs with us in Spain and we couldn’t keep up with him! He was one of a kind and I feel so lucky to have known him ❤️

I used to play squash with Ken regularly as a woman in my 20s when I first joined AESC and the memories of him hurtling himself around the court at great speed, uber-enthusiastic support for me (his opponent!), frequent ‘hi yah’ shouts while hitting the ball, still make me laugh now. A big guy, a huge character, so warm and fun. I would see him around Alderley and Wilmslow looking after his grandchildren and he couldn’t have looked happier and prouder. Ken would always chat to my young girls at the club and ask after them, I was so pleased to see him play tennis almost until the end. My husband knew Ken for years through squash and more recently as a member of AECC and saw him more only a few weeks ago at home. We are both so saddened by his passing far too soon and send our love to his family.

Ken was an inspirational leader and supporter of Accenture's Manchester community. He loved football and was a stalwart of the Kingsley Hall team. Here he is in 2007 at a charity football event where we were supporting a local young people's charity.

Such sad news as the world was better for having Ken in it! The personification of ‘world hard, play hard’ he was a force of nature - a friend and mentor to many of us shaping our careers and lives through Andersen’s / Accenture and beyond… Turning up for celebrations and making them all the more fun because he was there. He’ll be missed and remembered as a ‘complete legend’!

Some of my earliest and best memories are with my Godfather, Ken. Dropping curly wurly crumbs into his hair while I rode on his shoulders is a personal favourite - though there are so many that come to mind. Truly one of the greatest men I have ever met. Rest easy Ken ❤️.

We were very sad to hear of Ken's passing. Ken was such a fun loving, bigger than life, person. Paul cherishes all of his many memories with him. Love this picture of Ken and Paul back in the day.

Ken was such a great guy! Victor loved conversing with him in Spanish, which he spoke fluently. He was a man of the world. We remember so many great conversations with him. He definitely knew how to have a good conversation about just about anything. He was an attentive and amiable listener, an intelligent and funny interlocutor, always with a kind word and genuine interest in getting to know you. He was such a people's person. We'll always remember his big smile and his jovial and good-natured character. He will be greatly missed.

The world has lost a great human being. Ken was an incredible leader, mentor and friend. He made a huge positive impact on so many colleagues in the Accenture Pharma and Medical Products practice ! - we have a lot to thank him for. RIP Ken - you will be sorely missed.

After playing soccer with Ken at Rice, and recognizing the force of nature that he was, I recruited him to the UT Business School to play on our soccer team. Then, I recruited Ken to the Houston office of Arthur Andersen & Co. to hang out with at Quarterly meetings. Have been meeting up with Ken and Anne Grayson ever since and going to Manchester United games with Ken to hang out in the pub, which Grayson didn't approve of. Ken was the best person I've known. This is so unfair.

Great memories Ken - from the many times in Bunyola, to your company on all the many mountain walks. But, one different memory - you starred alongside Theo Paphitis doing a “dragons den” at the Boots MacMillan awards day in Nottingham. You left as soon as it finished, as you wanted to meet me for a beer. Legend.

I just have to mention Ken's mesmerizing touch with babies. You'd look at this loud, larger-than-life guy and think that he'd scare babies, but nope, all the babies in our family adored him, and the feeling was mutual. Put a baby in his arms, and he was mush. It was the case with all his nieces and nephews, and now the next generation with his grandkids. He made it look easy.

The legendary sound of Ken on a squash or tennis court will be sadly missed, he was a top bloke xxx

A partner's partner, Ken was one of the kindest, smartest people, and a great mentor to me, and a great leader at Andersen Consulting/Accenture. That unforgettable, lovely accent from Oklahoma/Manchester...So glad to have been able to work with you and know you, Ken. So sad you are no longer with us. My prayers are with you and your family.
Jamie

Ken was one of the best Partners I ever worked with in Andersen / Accenture. Always client focused and a real team player. He was also really great fun too... He squeezed every ounce out of life. May he Rest in Peace.

Such wonderful memories as Ken’s tennis doubles partner.

We had an amazing on court understanding with many successful years playing together in the local tennis league. We truely had each other’s back!

Our opponents never ceased to be amazed at Ken’s unbelievable gets and feral energy.

A crowning and joyful moment was our winning Alderley Edge Tennis Club Mens Handicap Doubles

I was so lucky to spend this on and off court time with Ken.

When I think of Ken I just see his big smile! I’ll always remember his distinct laugh and big smile, his kind and warm nature, making us migas for breakfast, the many holidays, always carrying Fin on his shoulders and how much he made us all laugh. He made such a big impression on our lives and we’ll always cherish him ❤️

So sorry for your loss, Ken was larger than life loved chatting to him at the Club he will be sorely missed.

Loved Ken! Just my type of guy. Always warm and friendly and one of those people it was good to be around. Had a lovely time at the finca. Sailed with him and tennised with him so got to know him fairly well. He fought well at the end and we will miss him. Nough said. See you in the next life soon Kenny boy. Xx❤️

I can’t believe you have gone Ken. You always lit up a room with your presence and the world has lost a lovely, funny, clever and kind person. Many condolences to all the family. Xx

Ken was always the spirit of warmth, humour and wisdom. Had some great memories with him. Rest in peace Ken.

Ken was a wonderful person always positive with a fabulous smile . A privilege to have Ken play tennis at our house a crazy good guy RIP lots of love Jane and Noël Deanxx

Dear Grayson, Kate and Nick ,
I just can t believe what I just read …
Ken was such a kind , positive, sporty person with lots of humour .
We had a unforgettable time together with the Beech Hall clan .
We laughed about his bullshit expression but now we cry because this is really bullshit .
We will miss his laugh terribly and we can t imagine your sadness but hope and think he will take care of you Anyway ,
Lots of love,

Carine and Ben Kalkman

I just read about the passing of Kenny.. I have such fond memories of the Lacey's, during our time of living in Venezuela and also Norway. Ken and Ron were both in boarding school when we moved to Anaco, But always we saw a lot of them when they came home for school breaks and summers. Ken was so handsome and great personality. Joann and Miles were dear friends of ours, both in Venezuela and Stavanger, I know Ken will be missed by his family. My warmest Sympathy and condolence to all the family.

The world is a better place for your having been here and a sadder place with your passing.

One of those great Christmas walks on the Edge. P

Dear Ken, a wonderful human being, I shall miss you greatly ,truly ‘a man for all seasons. From his infectious laughter to his wise words I shall miss the non stop charging around a Tennis court. RIP my friend you are gone way too soon xx