Members will learn with deep regret of the death of Nigel Brook on Saturday 28 May 2016.

Mr Brook was first elected a Member of the Baltic in 1959 representing European Grain & Shipping Ltd until becoming a Retired Member in 1998.

Mr Brook was also a Director of the Baltic Exchange between 1993 and 1996.

Funeral details are awaited.

 

Obituary

Nigel Brook, former chairman of Hertfordshire County Council, and President of Hitchin Rotary Club died at the Garden House Hospice, Letchworth on Saturday 28 May 2016.

Nigel was born in Kingswood, Surrey on 19 June 1935 and was educated at Uppingham School. He undertook National Service and as a commissioned officer he fought in Malaya (now Malaysia).

His subsequent career spanned 40 years working as a shipbroker for European Grain and Shipping Company based in the City of London. During his working life he was a member of the Baltic Exchange and later a Director of the Exchange.

He was a lifelong member of the Conservative Party and performed numerous roles including Association Chairman in Epsom and European Chairman for London South West.

He moved to Hertfordshire in 1992 when he married Penny. On his retirement from shipbroking in 1998 he began a new career in politics and threw himself into his new life with great enthusiasm. He worked tirelessly in various roles for the Party and at the time of his death he was Association President for Hitchin and Harpenden Conservative Association.

First elected for the Offa Division of the County Council at a by-election in June 2000 he was delighted to be the first Conservative in recent memory to take the seat. His victory meant that the County Council had a Conservative majority for the first time for some years. Nigel was well known, respected and held in great esteem for his tireless work for his division. He rarely missed a Parish Council meeting for each of his seven Parishes.

He was elected Chairman of Hertfordshire County Council in May 2007 and served for two years in that role. More recently he was a member of the Police Authority until it was dissolved.

Nigel had many, varied interests ranging from cricket, rugby and athletics to music and opera. He attended Promenade Concerts and opera at Glyndebourne and he enjoyed playing bridge both socially and competitively. At the time of his death he was a member of Priory Probus Club and President of Hitchin Rotary Club and he gained much pleasure and strength from the warmth and camaraderie of his numerous friends in Hitchin and the surrounding areas.

Good friend David Chaplin said ‘Nigel was a staunch friend. A man of honour and integrity who will be greatly missed.’

Nigel leaves behind his beloved wife, Penny, his two children and five grandchildren.