I first met Nick in 1993 on a Monday morning when I was recruited to run the Private Finance Department at the Housing Corporation.  I didn’t quite know what to make of him at first but by Friday we had decided to have an after-work pint together.  After about five pints, it dawned on me that we would, at least, enjoy each other’s company if nothing else.  What followed was three of the most enjoyable years of my career.  I never quite knew what he was thinking about and usually thought it best not to enquire.  But what he produced was a series of sector firsts that I think added real pizazz to the Corporation’s efforts to engage private finance – the first FT sector review of Social Housing, a Ministerial dinner for Japanese bankers, a presentation in Frankfurt to the German mortgage banks, numerous seminars with housing associations and private funders, the first survey of private sector funding in the sector and a stream of new entrants into the sector.  If I ever get to write an autobiography Nick will definitely get a chapter as his influence is with me today.  I will always remember his advice that things need to come in “threes” – except, in my opinion, pints of beer.  Rest in peace Nick it has been a pleasure to know you.