John Stephens, a valuable mentor and friend

While I was a trial trainee - that is being tried to see whether I was good enough to become a trainee - Mike Arkus tried to persuade me in his colourful way not to think of joining this "lousy" company. John argued the opposite. He remained for me a valuable mentor and friend, not only in Paris but later when I was manager, Germany, then manager Latin America and the Carribbean.

We had many long and happy conversations, often over a good meal, and when we last spoke only a few weeks ago we talked of getting together for another in the near future. He bore his illness with great courage. ■