Describe a man who has positively impacted your life.
Some people help you by giving advice. Others help you by asking better questions. Neville belongs firmly in the second category.
I first met him many years ago when we were both working for a major bank. We were in a lunchtime Bible study together—two people in different departments, at very different stages of our careers. Even then, it was clear he had an unusual clarity about him. He listened carefully, spoke sparingly, and had a way of naming what actually mattered.
Our paths crossed periodically over the years. He spoke at a camp we organised when I was in my twenties. Much later, we reconnected when he was a director of my previous employer. When I moved into my current role, I asked him if he would be willing to mentor me. He has done that faithfully for the past eight years.
What I value most about Neville is his capacity to get to the heart of an issue. On more than one occasion, I’ve come to him with a problem that felt tangled and intractable. He never rushed to solutions. Instead, he would listen, reflect, and then—almost gently—put his finger on the real issue. Once that happened, the problem shifted. What had felt blocked suddenly opened up.
Though long retired, Neville remains deeply active. He currently chairs six not-for-profit organisations, all on a voluntary basis. Governance is not something that excites me, but I’ve come to see how critical it is. When it’s done well, it creates the conditions for organisations—and people—to flourish. Watching someone give themselves to that work with integrity and generosity has been quietly formative for me.
What strikes me most, though, is his investment in younger lives. When I’ve asked him to meet with emerging leaders, he has done so willingly. He has a keen eye for potential and a genuine desire to support people who are focused on work that matters.
Neville has helped me navigate complex situations, but more than that, he has shaped how I approach leadership. He has taught me that clarity matters, that discernment is a gift, and that lasting impact often comes through quiet, faithful service.
For his wisdom, his generosity, and his steady presence over many years, I am deeply grateful.
The Afterword 
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