1st November 1968 – 6th November 2015
The National Biodiversity Network is devastated to announce the untimely death of its CEO, John Sawyer, who died of a heart attack on Friday 6th November. He was at his “spiritual” home, the Isle of Mull, when it happened. Our deepest condolences to John’s family, in particular his partner Karlene, with whom he was expecting their first child.
John had been CEO since May 2014 and in that short time he has had a huge impact on the organisation, with his vision, his enthusiasm and energy as well as his hugely motivational leadership of his team at the Secretariat, his work alongside the Board of Trustees and all colleagues across the NBN. John was making a difference. In 18 months he had started to revolutionise the Network and its way of thinking and working. He was the driving force behind our new Strategy and he was enthusing our partners to be part of the exciting new direction in which we are moving.
John’s funeral took place on 25th November in Edinburgh and was followed by a celebration of his life at the Royal Botanic Gardens. For those unable to attend, the NBN Secretariat is looking into the possibility of a memorial lecture sometime in January 2016. We will bring you more information on this in due course.
In the meantime, the NBN Trust would like to take the opportunity to thank its members and partners for the amazing support, kind words and offers of help that have been given. The condolences and sentiments you have all expressed show only too well, how respected, admired and truly liked John was.
We will continue John’s work with the drive and passion that he has instilled in us all. To see his ideas for the NBN through to fruition is the most fitting tribute we can pay him.
The image below has been derived from the words and comments that have been sent through to the NBN Secretariat about John, by way of support and condolences.
