First thing yesterday I was called to be told the terribly sad news that Daniel Freedman, Managing Director and Co-Founder of London & Capital, had passed away very suddenly. For those of you who never knew Daniel, then I can tell you that you missed meeting and knowing a great guy. A funny man, a person who had entrepreneur in his blood from an early part of his life. I can’t say that I knew him very well or for very long but what I can say is that once you met Daniel you knew you had met someone with energy, full of life and a great sense of humour.
I first met him when L&C moved their Funds to our Dublin platform in 2014. He was engaging, demanding, respectful and honest in everything he said. You knew where you were with him and, as a Northerner, I loved his straight talking approach. No messing about with pussy-footing around. Straight to the point but he was never rude. There was always a gleam in his eye that said “I’m enjoying this!” When we completed the deal I thought it only appropriate to take him for lunch to say thank you for the business and during this when I actually said “thank you” he replied, “no problem, at least you’ve got the shit off my desk now”. That could have been our strap line for the next 5 years but the marketing department put paid to that ! Anyway he was right, we did help him and the people at L&C but he never felt that we should be grateful. It was business and it made sense to him and the broader business. He was keen to see our business grow and was always interested on hearing our news about growth. I do believe that he felt some pride in knowing that he had played some part in helping a new entrepreneurial business grow and for that I will always be eternally grateful.
His infectious desire to do business and to be successful won him many friends and if you didn’t share his view then pity you. Not all his ideas were great ones but he certainly had many of them and as a leader, it was important to lead from the front. He was a great sales person, ice to Eskimos comes to mind, and he certainly never pulled his punches when it came to advice and guidance on all things sales. My ears are still sore from the last time I saw him! I was due to meet up with him next week for our regular catch up over a healthy breakfast. Sadly that day won’t happen now and I will miss his laugh, his smile, his friendship and the endless discussions of getting healthier.
His business is in great shape today and he leaves a legacy that will last for many years. He also leaves a wife, Elaine and two daughters, Laura and Samantha and we all send our deepest sympathises to them. He will be missed by them clearly and by all those who had the honour and pleasure to know him and do business with him. A Gent. God rest.
Best wishes
Stuart Alexander
CEO