Last Thursday he participated in the ‘Beat the Sunset’ 5km run, where ‘Team Make’ won the prize for the fastest mixed team and raised over £3,500 for The Prince’s Trust. Also last Friday he joined me and a team of 20 partners in LandAid’s ‘Towerathalon’ challenge at Broadgate.
James was the core of many social occasions and went out of his way to make sure people had a good time. He was extremely approachable and always made an effort to get everyone involved. He was a fabulous person to know, with lots of stories to tell from his travels and interesting opinions to share on architecture. He was an incredibly positive person, always up for any challenge and delighted to get involved.
When I gave the most difficult speech I have ever had to give on Monday morning to a stunned office we were all in a state of shock, and continue to be devastated that someone so bright and so young should be taken from us in such a tragic way. All our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this most horrific time.
The fact that he died at a charity event is a fitting testament to a young man who was one of the good guys. He leaves a large hole at Make which will be impossible to fill. My father always said to me ‘Only the good die young’. Never is this more true than in the case of James Phillips.
Ken Shuttleworth