I was lucky enough to be appointed by Adrian and Brian Burdsall on a year out placement (from my Transport Management and Planning degree at Loughborough University) with the Parcels Sector of British Rail for a year from Summer 1988 to Summer 1989. Adrian was very supportive throughout that year and was then pivotal in Red Star sponsoring me to come back as a management trainee, as well as facilitating my final year dissertation. There was also a pragmatism in having spent a year out in the business, arranging for much of my management training to be on the general BR management training scheme modules. That support and grounding in a commercially-driven and customer-focused business, combined with gaining a wider railway knowledge was invaluable in the early part of my career. Our paths crossed regularly at many industry events over the years and Adrian was always interested in how things were going for me. He also tried to recruit me to Chiltern at one point - albeit in the end it didn't happen, as it didn't quite work for both parties at the time. However, his drive, customer focus, desire to improve and constantly supportive approach were always a positive inspiration. The railway was and is a better place for his efforts. He focused on all the right things and he made a real difference. He will be much missed and never forgotten.