Inevitably over the course of 25 years there are many work-related situations / conversations that pop into my thoughts.   It is though, a couple of non-work-related topics (that we always found time to talk about) that create a smile.   Family and wine.   Enough said.   AL. …

I have learnt in business that no one is indispensable, but there is definitely a Mark-shaped hole at Showcase, and there always will be. You knew where you stood with Mark – he was fair, and he always had your back. No matter how busy he was, he would make time for me when i was troubled with an issue, and i would leave his office feeling better for talking through my dilemma with him. Mark also supported me in personal matters at key times in my life, and i will be forever grateful for that. There is a saying that you spend more time with your colleagues than with your own family, and the sadness felt at Mark’s early exit certainly goes beyond work. Taken too soon, but always remembered, my thoughts and best wishes go to Marie and all the family. Mike …

Throughout my career there have been many bosses but Mark will always be the most memorable for so many reasons.  He was a huge character and lived his life to the full through his passion for Showcase and his family life.  I loved our catchups, particulary hearing what he’d be up to over the weekend and holidays with Marie and the boys.  We’d share ideas of places to holiday, recipes to cook, cycle routes to take and home DIY albeit Mark was clearly far more knowledgeable and capable on that front!  Mark was not just a boss he was a very special friend too and I will always remember him with the fondest of memories.   …

I first met Mark in Showcase Leeds around 30 years ago my first impression was a man on top of his game immaculately dressed looking the true professional which of course he was. Mark was always straight to the point and very direct when negotiating or discussing service levels but through the years Mark and I became great friends and would spend many a coffee putting the world right if only the world would listen it would be a far greater place. Mark was always a friend and a shoulder to cry on if I needed one and sometimes I did. Mark was the guy who would text you on a Sunday night just to see if you was ok and if he could do anything to help me or my family. Marks family became part of my family too and we would enjoy time together Mark would love to share his sons football stories and tell of how proud he was of the boys and how much Marie was the love of his life and how happy he was with new house and the adventures they all had in front of them. I think about Mark everyday and …

Posting this message took much longer than I had orignally thought, Mark had been a daily presence in my life for approaching 26 years which of course spanned many mile stones in my life all of which was shared and witnessed by Mark who never failed to know just the right thing to say at the right time. Our relationship so much deeper than the Boss and employee, a friendship which was formed in the work environment but we shared such rich and life changing experiences. Mark without fail had the ability to make you smile, my world and my role rarely bought Mark good news, this has happened, that will cost, so and so has done this, we always worked through the problem of the day with some choice words that always left you with a cheeky smile and sense you would figure everything out, and we always did. When I left college in 1998 I had already worked for the company for close too two years, eager and ambitious I wanted the next step, and one of what would turn into many carpark chats over the years Mark said to me, go to univeristy, get the edcution …

Extract out of my note to Daniel Barret on hearing of the sad passing of an amazing fellow………’We had the pleasure of knowing Mark since 2007 and considered him, more importantly than being a Client, but as a friend of the firm……….’ Mark had a cheeky way of getting his own way. We would offer a tight delivery programme for the many cinema refurbishment projects that we have delivered with the Showcase Team, but if Mark saw an opportunity to open a screen earlier to show that special film, he would go for it. The chuckle would come first, then the slight raise of one side of his mouth and you then knew what was coming…….and when he really wanted the impossible, his voice would go up an octave or two. We fell for it every time ……….the expression that we often use is that ‘you cant do enough for a good client’, and that’s how we will remember Mark  …….and now we have the apprentice coming through. To quote Daniel Barret ‘Mark was a superb teacher and taught me everthing that I know about Cinemas’ ……..so when the chuckle comes from Daniel, followed by the slight raise of …

What more is there to say other than I will miss you deeply my friend ? Thirty three years of friendship and laughter , you made my world a better place  …

I have known Mark for thirty three years,all since he started with Showcase cinemas. He often reminded me when we first met,and we laughed that I didnt recall,because let’s face it,how do you not remember Mark. We have worked together through so many experiences,and though some were challenging, all I would like to think,strengthened our relationship. Mark could be exasperating but then who cant,and I’m certain he had many choice words to use about me,but tomorrow was another day and we moved on. We spent many hours travelling together where we shared not only our liking for Marks and Spencer pork pies for lunch, but memories of old cars from the 70s ,deep cultural discussions about the differences between Lancastrians and Yorkshire folk,and conversations about the world in general. I know Mark projected a grumpy side,and he generally set the bar low so as to hopefully be amazed by service from retailers and other service providers, which was always amusing to listen to how the level was rarely  achieved ,but if he was talking about Josh or Oscar he always lit up ,he was just proud, always!  I recall when he told me he was going to get married.Mark …