Friends remember

“The bond with many of us was based on sports, friendship, travel and conversations. BG had curiosity, listening skills, laugher, strong principles in abundance and trust. One of his greatest skills was the ability to sum up that ‘cut of a person’s jib’, so to speak, in a very few seconds. In 1978, BG called and instructed that we must meet in Limerick, to follow the All Blacks. The first stop was his hometown, Limerick, to see Munster play the All Blacks on October 31, 1978. When Munster sensationally beat the All Blacks at Thomond Park, the joy and pride exemplified by the wonderful reactions from Brian and friends is etched in all our memories. The happiest of days it was. As a New Zealander, you did not have to buy a drink in the province of Munster, or in most of Ireland, for days until the test against Ireland in Dublin.”

David Service, Royal Wellington Golf Club

“When Tony O’Reilly bought the Herald, Brian went out of his way to introduce James Parkinson, who was Independent News and Media’s chief financial officer, to his contacts in the local business community. Parkinson brought out INM’s Irish bankers to New Zealand to show them what the company was acquiring through its takeover of Wilson and Horton (then owner of the Herald). But after the assets went into Australia’s APN, things soured. Brendan Hopkins (APN’s chief executive) did not like Brian’s incisive questioning and wanted to exclude him from the analyst calls. This of course did not deter Brian.”

Oliver Lee, Oliver Lee Publications

“Brian commenced his New Zealand stockbroking career in the 1970s at Daysh Renouf and quickly settled into the collusive Wellington broking scene and immediately began to challenge the market rules and vested interests operating in an antiquated financial environment. He was a champion for the small investor. The right for them to be treated fairly. Being able to participate in transparent markets that had the appropriate checks and balances to protect and generate returns on their hard-earned investment funds.”

Murray Boyte, businessman and friend of 46 years