Grahame Gibson, Chief Operating Officer G4S plc
I received a phone call on January 18th from David Hudson - I couldn't take it at the time - David called again and I knew ... somehow I knew ... Philip had passed away.
His passing was confirmed and I felt empty. We knew Philip was not well - we knew he had been suffering but when the time came it was like a sledge-hammer on my head - a deep shock. I knew Philip as a boss, a friend, my Chairman for 27 years - more than a lifetime for many a relationship. I was side by side with him on the amazing roller-coaster ride of Group 4's expansion, through our 'affair' with Securitas, through our New Market development, through a merger with Falck and the ultimate creation of Group 4 Securicor - G4S.
Philip, we did it !!! We created the leading security company in the world and you were alive to see it, to savour it, to reflect on it.
Of course, it was Philip's drive & vision that achieved it. A number of us helped (and hindered), supported, advised, argued along the way but he was so determined to open Group 4 everywhere in the world he could start a security business. Many a competitor ridiculed him at the time - who's laughing now ? Philip, I think, as he looks down and reflects on his great handiwork.
People say it's the end of an era, the end of a long chapter; for me it feels like the end of the book. I turned over the last page on January 18th, the day after my 57th birthday. My life has been inextricably entwined with JPS and Group 4 through those 27 years. Broadway, The Hague, Vienna, Copenhagen and many a city in many a country during many a year.
I wouldn't be married to my wife Jinnie if it wasn't for JPS and the BT Global Challenge and the yacht Group 4 - I wouldn't have two adorable young children (George & Josephine) but for JPS and the Challenge - children of the Challenge ! I have to open a new book of my life, many of us do - a daunting task - quite scary really - life without Philip being around.
Philip, I am sure you'll be guiding us from wherever you are, making sure your spirit lives on within the company, the world-beating company you created over these many years.
Philip, thank you for everything.
Grahame Gibson Chief Operating Officer G4S plc