Nick Ford

Some more memories of Nick. Dinner in London . circa 1993, The Caribbean trip - July-August 1990, Rox's wedding June 1998 .

Missing him a lot .

35 years have passed since we were students together and I still vividly remember Nick’s warmth, humour and zest for life. Very sad news, RIP Nick x

So very sad. Nick was uniquely hilarious and quick off the mark. He deserved more but he seemed to make so much of what life dealt him. An example, and one to be savoured. A glass will be raised in his memory tonight.

I remember Nick as being a really nice person with a lovely smile and a very friendly disposition. I always enjoyed talking with him. It is very sad that he is no longer with us. My condolences on your loss.

I first met Nick at INSEAD. Such a warm and humorous man and such a loss to us all. For me, his ability to make me laugh came from his warmth. He was caring man who was always interested in the lives of others. I am probably like many here who wish they were more like Nick.

Nick was so funny, witty and able to bring people together in a large group. He was kind, thoughtful and a generous friend to many people. He will be missed by all of us. I send my condolences to Joanna and the boys.

Our paths at INSEAD and beyond did not cross often. But you did not need to know Nick very well to nonetheless understand what a funny, kind and special person he was. So very sad - RIP, Nick. X

I only had the privilege of meeting Nick a handful of times. but every time I did, he was so full of wit, warmth and enthusiasm. It was clear how much he loved his boys and how much he loved life too.
I wish I’d had the chance to spend more time with him. Reading all these tributes, it’s clear how deeply he’ll be missed by so many and I’m not surprised. He’s a memorable character.

The man was a legend. The laughs we had made me feel like I’d done 200 sit ups.
He was gracious, kind and hilarious.
We worked together, and drank together with a pint of Plain.
I shall miss him dreadfully.
See you on the other side my old mate.

Dear Nick, you were such a good friend. We shared good times at Insead and in the Caribbean islands: you were always the life of the party - even when we weren’t specifically having a party. You came at my wedding and we stayed in touch for all these many years. It was always a pleasure to see you and chat with you at the London dinner and at the reunions. I will miss your friendship, your bonhomie and your quick wit. I am so sad. Goodbye dear friend.
Rox

A lovely man with infectious good humour. A tonic for anyone and gone too early. Unfortunately I didn’t see enough of him but will remember him dearly.

We all wrote about the laughter we remember. Nick brought laughter into every conversation and event. Whether a gift or special emotional intelligence, his legacy is the joy that we carry with us in our memories of times together.

Not only Nick and I went to the same school, our children went to the same schools, too. He was a few years older than I and he was a good life and family coach for us. He once told me about his business trip with Sir Martin Sorrell on a private jet. We went back together after our class reunion dinner 2 years ago and he was managing his movement and speech restrictions talking about his family. My sincere condolences. Rest in peace, Nick !

Nick brought light and laughter wherever he was. He gave our class the gift of holding up the mirror to ourselves with his special blend of mockery and self-derision. We are not the same without him. I send my sincere condolences to his family and other friends.

Nick was a dear friend over many years. A pleasure to meet whether on campus, at our Canary Wharf lunches, INSEAD gatherings or at home.
Always interesting and interested, kind, fun, funny. A multi-talented sportsman & showman! He was trustworthy, kind, loving - strong of mind and spirit and brave in adversity. I feel he embraced life and all the opportunities it offered. I will miss him and will remember his smile and kindness. I’m very glad to have known him.

Where to start? When I think about Nick, I see this ever smiling, ever laughing, effortlessly likeable young man. One of those unique people who made that year in Fontainebleau so memorable, and friendships so enduring.

I have such fond memories of Nick, from the Rocky Horror Picture Show party at his home to going together to the INSEAD Ball. He had a wonderful sense of humour and brought so much fun to every occasion. I will always remember his generosity, his strong sense of duty and the warmth he showed to others. He will be greatly missed.

I cant find the right words but am so saddened to learn of Nicks passing. RIP mate!

He was the talisman of the British contingent and one of my heros at Insead. In later life he was also so complementary about my efforts. A true British gentleman. I feel so sad tonight. RIP Nick we miss you 🙏

Such a sad news. Nick personified good humor, joy and kindness. His laughter rings in my head. So so sad.😢

Sad news. Le Cabaret was a nice memory for me too. Pls RIP.

Very sad to hear, RIP Nick🙏

Extremely sad to hear. A fantastic guy. RIP

So sad to hear this. Wonderful person. Nick, rest in peace.

Very sad indeed. Nick was a great guy with unique empathy and attention for the others, in addition being fun and full of sense of humor

Very sad news and sorry to hear. Thank you very much for spreading and sharing your sense of humour and kindness. RIP Nick.

What a wonderful guy. Sorry to hear this. RIP, Nick.

Just hearing this while en route from Europe to NZ. Jen and I are both very saddened by this news. What an exemplary combination of fun, gentle mischief, wit and empathy Nick gave us all. Everyone’s recollections of him here are a wonderful tribute.

Very sad news. We remember his sense of humor, the cabaret and one memory I will never forget. He came down the stairs of the cafeteria at INSEAD breaking the news of the falling of the Berlin wall, what an historic day.
RIP.

1990 in Venezuela..thats how I want to remember him

Thank you for letting us know, Lucille. And condolences to all who loved Nick

Rest now Nick, you had a beautiful journey in life.

So very sad to hear this. Nick was such a joy. Always there for you when ever and no matter what. Thinking of him always brought a smile to me. May god bless his soul. He will always be in our prayers.
Vale Nick

Deeply sad to realise that a light has left this world- wonderful Nick!

So sad to lose someone so very full of life & for a joy he spread to all of us.

What awful news. Thank you for sharing that with us, Lucille, and so very sorry you had to do so. X

deeply saddened by the news

Thoughts and prayers for Nick and his beloved.

Very sad after an illness very bravely borne

That is very sad

How sad. We must all cherish life.

Very sad news

Really sad and a real shock

Our dear Nick was the social icon of our 1989–1990 INSEAD MBA promotion. For decades, his sharp wit brightened every gathering, while his cheerfulness left us with countless souvenirs of laughter and optimism.

Much of what we learnt through formal study — and through the education that life itself has given us — may gradually fade from memory. Yet Nick’s images, his voice and his unforgettable sound bites continue to bind our hearts ever closer together. Such is the fondness that the mere mention of his name brings us today, just as it always has.

May Nick rest in peace, and may those who loved him be consoled by the affection of his INSEAD friends and of all those whose lives he so generously touched.

Thank you, Nick, for your humour, your leadership and, above all, for a legacy of memories that will remain with us for the rest of our lives.

Rest in peace, dear friend.

Very fond memories of trying to learn German in the same class as Nick - At the time I thought that even if I failed the test (and hence the MBA?!) at least it had been extremely good fun. RIP sir.

Nick brought fun and laughter every time I was with him, from our first days at INSEAD through to his brave battle with MSA. He made a huge impact on all of us at INSEAD — he was absolutely instrumental to the memories I have of that year.

The years that followed brought many more:

- Helping Amy and me finish a bottle of vodka in our Hong Kong flat while our baby daughter miraculously slept through the night for the first time.

- Beers at the Rocket on Euston Road when he was the "Thin Controller" of the UK's railways.

- Finding Bertie's glasses in my lawnmower clippings several months after he'd visited us with his family in Leicester.

- His wit and humour at the school gates in Tonbridge.

- His enthusiasm for life right to the end. His spark never dimmed.

I will cherish these memories forever.

I think some of my best memories of Nick are from our Insead third language lessons. What should have been a bit of a chore became a delightful experience as he entertained us all - ‘Herr Tony Todd’, myself and even the teacher who desperately tried to keep it serious. Come to think of it, I have no idea why he was there in the first place as his German was considerably superior to that of the rest of us. But I’m so glad that he was. Thank you Nick for enriching our lives.

Despite not having shared many moments with NIKE, the few ones were marked by his distinguished humor, joyful comments and bright presence. He was indeed unique and, as such, always be reminded (even from Brazil...)

Nick was a rare breed - entirely comfortable with a microphone but without an ego. He was a real life enhancer, confident, charming and generous in equal measure, interested and interesting, and a joy to spend spend time with. The world in general - and our community in particular - will be so much poorer without him.

"On a décidé qu'une partie de ce cabaret sera présentée en français.....there - I hope you enjoyed that!" Thus did Nick open our zany talent show 36 years ago. An inimitable blend of barbed humour and self- deprecation on behalf all of us who had failed to learn the damned language in any useable sense. We will miss his perceptiveness, creativity, generosity and joie-de-vivre.

I was deeply saddened by the news of Nick passing away. By all standards, he was a wonderful and exceptional person. I’ve known him mainly as a class fellow, and as such, I had many opportunities to enjoy his incomparable sense of humor, his kindness, and his wit. At a class reunion, I was happy to have a long exchange with him, and then again, I could appreciate how empathetic and careful a person he was. We will miss hem deeply, I will never forget all the joy and cheerfulness he brought all these years to our class and reunions.
Please accept my most sincere condolences. May he rest in Peace.

Nick was a very friendly person. We will all miss his kindness and Monty Python sense of humor.
I present my condoleances to his familly.
FX

Nick was a dear friend, a man who would light up every room he entered - generous, open hearted, admired and loved by so many. He enriched us with an effervescent and infectious zest for life, and his joyful - occasionally wicked - sense of humour would have us rocking with helpless laughter. Above all he was utterly devoted to his family, of whom he was so very proud. We will dearly miss this incomparably brave and lovely man.