Alan was never one to mince his words, but he always delivered them with humour, a dry wit, and a warmth that made people smile. He was quick with the banter, whether it was reminding me when his team had beaten mine, or sharing a laugh after one of our memorable work nights out. I had the privilege of knowing Alan for many years, and one of the things I admired most about him was that no matter how long it had been since we last saw each other, he would greet me as though it had only been a week. He was genuinely kind, generous with his time, and always interested in the people around him. Above all, Alan was devoted to his family, who meant everything to him. He will be remembered with great affection by all who knew him, and I feel fortunate to have known him. My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Christine and Jack, and the rest of his family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.