After seventeen years with Narthex, starting as Project Manager and subsequently over ten years as CEO, Nigel Brookhouse was bid farewell in a gathering of staff, former staff, volunteers, trustees and friends in St John’s Church, Sparkhill prior to his final day a week later. After a feast of lovely food, tributes were paid to Nigel by the Chair of Trustees, Jamie Walsh and the only trustee who was around and churchwarden of St John’s when Nigel was originally interviewed, Geoff Holt. They were followed less formally by warm tributes from others present, some in speech and some in person to Nigel. His passion for the work in support of the needy within the area and his undoubted ability to communicate need and release financial support for the charity were highlighted, especially noting his success in turning around the charity’s financial weakness during the time of the pandemic, such that he leaves it in a much stronger position than it had been throughout its history.
After the tributes, Geoff Holt presented a card and gifts to Nigel who duly responded expressing his affection for Narthex and all that it stands for, along with thanks for all the support that has been given to its work. He expressed his heartfelt wish that would be no need for foodbanks in the UK and that continued growth in these was a matter for sadness. He was then led to an appropriate cake for him to make the initial cut before the knife was handed to the current Project Manager, Sandra Osbourne, to ensure that the rest of the cutting was done with precision!
In Nigel’s response he also paid gracious tribute to his successor Patricia Coleman-Taylor who has been working alongside him in recent weeks and will be picking up the baton from 22nd July 2022.