I first came across Stuart back in the mid-2000s when I was a programme manager at the Neuroscience Board of the MRC and had the privilege of giving him the good news that his latest funding application had been successful. It was the friday afternoon of a long, difficult week and so I had saved this particular phone call until last to end the week on a high note. Stuart was obviously delighted, told me that he’d be off to the pub shortly to celebrate and that next time I was in Manchester I should  stop by for a beer. So when I moved to Manchester 6 years later I did exactly that and we quickly became good friends and spent many fun times over a beer or two, family  barbeques,  quiz nights or a garden glass of wine in  the shivering cold of the lockdowns of recent times. I was gutted to hear of his untimely death, a cruel reminder of how unfair life can be and that we need to make the most of it whilst we can. Stuart used to love to travel with his work and delighted in bragging to us all each time he received an upgrade to first class. Stuart, I hope you got to ‘turn left’ one last time……..We’ll miss you. Much love to your family  xxx