Former Birmingham Forward chief hailed as an ambassador for city
Friends, family and former colleagues have paid tribute to Richard Brennan, the businessman and champion advocate for Birmingham, who has died after a short battle with cancer.
Mr Brennan, who was born in Ireland, moved to Birmingham in 1996 and quickly became part of the fabric of the city’s professional sector.
Shortly after moving to the city he became managing director of consultancy TMI UK – a company he later described as one of the best he had ever worked for, saying it gave him the chance to “make a difference”.
In 2003, after leaving TMI, he set up his own management consultancy – Strategic Alliance – working with senior teams on strategic business planning. He was also involved with the West Midlands Council of Economic Advisors, Birmingham Professional DiverCity, the Regional Finance Forum and Business Voice West Midlands. He also worked regularly with the Prince’s Trust.
In recent years he was best known for his work as a passionate champion of the city, most notably in his role as chief executive of professional lobbying group Birmingham Forward.
In 2005, he publicly resigned as a member of the organisation, criticising the lack of support for member firms. But in February 2006, when Simon Hughes stepped down as chief, Mr Brennan was challenged to see if he could take on the job – and accepted with alacrity.
He was a key mover behind many of the developments in the city’s structure, including the setting up of an administrative court for the legal sector, which was finally completed in April 2009 after years of lobbying. He was also a prime mover behind the creation of the Colmore Row Business Improvement District, a body set up to promote the companies in the professional quarter of the city.
Jackie Hendley, the chairwoman of Birmingham Forward, said: “Richard was 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.”
Mr Brennan continued his work at Forward until just weeks before his death. He said the thing he liked most about the city was “the real connectivity between the business community” and his chief ambition in his working career was “to continue to contribute to the success of the city”.
Former colleagues and friends paid tribute to a man who had made a huge impression on the fabric of the city’s professional society.
Jerry Blackett, the chief executive of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, said: “We have lost a dedicated advocate of Birmingham. His contribution to promoting its reputation and encouraging inward investment will be sadly missed.”
David Clarke, a former chairman of Birmingham Forward who had known Mr Brennan since his days at TMI, added: “Richard was enormously energetic and determined – with a far-reaching strategic vision.
"He was committed to everything in which he became involved – whether in business, in support of voluntary or social enterprises, young people and, above all, his wife and his family. He was a just man, always fair in his business dealings, with strong values and an infectious enthusiasm. As a business mentor he was unrivalled. He was a true gentleman.”
Mr Brennan died on July 19 aged 58, six months after being diagnosed with the disease. He is survived by his wife Grace, daughters Vicky and Lise-Ann, and sisters Shelagh and Marylu.
He will be received into the Blessed Robert Grissold RC Church in Balsall Common on Monday, July 26, at 5pm. A requiem mass will be held on Tuesday, followed by cremation at Robin Hood Crematorium.
Donations in lieu of flowers to Macmillan Cancer Support or Marie Curie Hospice.
