Former Birmingham Forward chief Richard Brennan loses battle with cancer

Jul 20 2010 by Alun Thorne, Birmingham Post

Richard Brennan has lost his battle with cancer just weeks after he stepped down from his role as chief executive of Birmingham Forward.

Mr Brennan, who stepped down in June after four years at the helm of the pressure group, passed away yesterday with his family by his side just six months after being diagnosed with the disease.

Jackie Hendley, chair of Birmingham Forward and tax partner at KPMG, paid tribute to Mr Brennan.

She said: “Richard was truly passionate about Birmingham.  An adopted Brummie, he called the city his home having moved here in 1996 and has spent the last four years as Chief Executive working with Birmingham Forward to boost Birmingham’s reputation and inward investment in the region.

“Richard has done a fantastic job for Birmingham Forward, and the city as a whole, and he will be sorely missed.”

Former board director Mary Daunt was appointed as an interim CEO at Forward following MR Brennan’s resignation in June.