At least his memory lives on in one of the cleverest financial innovations for years. What an inspiration.

I hope his family are coping as best they can with their loss.

I had only a few conversations with Richard but worked with him through Pru Bank and was part of the Egg launch team… Many late nights and tall deliveries - that was the norm. Energy was constantly high and we were all engaged in a challenge that, at times, didn’t seem plausible.

But when Richard was around or chaired a meeting or invited us to the pub he took us higher, energised us and instilled a confidence and belief in everyone of us. Suddenly there was no fear, no doubt…

His sense of fun was never far from him - I remember a cringe worthy lift ride with him and Mike Harris after one particularly unfortunate interview I gave with Computer Weekly, during which I must have gone on about Egg culture, it was very embarrassing and Richard never missed an opportunity for a gentle reminder.

I have used my recollection of Richard a few times over the past year when encouraging colleagues to embrace the challenge and see the possibility. It alwayes warms me and energises them. To think that he was no longer with us on these occassions fills me with sadness but it feels right to use his memory as a metaphor for the spirit of adventure, the spark of genius, the warmth of confidence in self.

My sincere condolences to his family.

My sincere condolences to his family one year on.

I was away at the end of last year and missed this news completely. I was thinking of getting in touch with Richard today and went online to see what he had been up to, where I found out this very sad news. All my condolences to all his family, friends and workmates.

“chapeau bas Monsieur Duvall”

Kerry

I heard that Richard was ill 2 days before he died. I have just read on the Zopa website the news that he has now died. I sit here crying writing this.

It’s not as if I spent loads of time with Richard when he was alive. But I guess time spent with someone has little to do with the impact they can have.

Richard – you’ve made such a difference to me and my life – you know that – I just want others, and your family, to know that.

I met you first when you came to speak in the evening to the group of people I did ‘Sense’ with at a Shrewsbury hotel. You stood (on crutches with your foot in a cast) and spoke to us all. I was inspired by you, your authenticity, your commitment, your passion and what you said. I went up to you (at the bar) and shook your hand and told you that it was the first time I’d been inspired by anyone for a very long time. Thank you. Life looked different after you had finished speaking. I knew that with people like you in the world the world was ok. You showed me that you could be brilliant and make a groundbreaking practical difference and still be fun, compassionate and wonderful.

I think at the time what I loved about you so much was that you were such a key person at Egg and yet you always made time for a chat with me. The way you valued me by giving me that time helped me alter my thinking about myself and think that maybe I was really valuable. Up until that point (underneath all the bravado) I hadn’t really valued myself. Now I do. Thank you for helping me see who I really am.

We spent a weekend together doing a course which was a communication course but which was often dubbed the ‘love’ course. After that I think we always hugged when we met. I miss those hugs. Wherever you are now – consider yourself hugged.

Your ‘outrageous’ thinking (it seems perfectly normal to me now) and new ways of seeing things inspired me and it has filtered through in everything I do. Through me you are impacting many many people who have never had the privilege of meeting you in person. You continue to make a difference even though you are physically not here.

Richard I remember vividly one day you were speaking to Egg Marketing, CRM etc. at an away day when you’d just come back from a US trip where you’d essentially been exploring the future and what was possible next. You were inspiring – as always. You asked me to take on having everybody back in the room from the break on time. I managed it (going a little bit over the top as I remember it – including almost physically lifting Pema into the room whilst she was still on the phone to somebody important in the media. Sorry Pema!) When everyone was settled down you could begin again. You asked everybody in the room who was afraid of me to raise their hands. Pretty much everyone did. You jokingly raised your hand too, flashed that wonderful smile at me and laughed.

Well I’ve got a question for everyone reading this. If you love Richard Duvall and he has impacted your life…. raise your hand. See – hands of leaders raised all over the globe. And there are people who haven’t got their hands up who have been impacted by you – they just didn’t know it was you behind it all. Yet others who are not yet born who will be impacted by you and will never have had the joy of knowing you.

Richard – you are beautiful.

My great fortune to have met you.

The world may be without you physically now but the conversations that you have started and inspired and the people you have inspired will continue shaping this world for many generations to come.

Thank you.

I have a quote that I think sums up some of your contribution to me:
Love is like playing the piano, first you must learn to play by the rules, then you must forget the rules and play from your heart. Author Unknown
Thanks for showing me the access to the world beyond ‘rules’ and showing me that playing from your heart is the only worthwhile game in town.

I’ll miss the jumpers.

Krys – we met once, briefly – I hope that you and your family can find some peace at this time. I heard a true story about a man dealing with the sudden death of his son which helped me while I was dealing with the death of my father in a car crash from which he never regained consciousness. Maybe it will help you. About a year after his son’s death this person returned to public speaking. He stood in front of the assembled people and said:

“I have some good news. I’ve been to the bottom……. and the bottom is solid.”

This is also my experience.

Yours, in love,

Brian

I worked with Richard for 2 years or so back in the days of Prudential Banking, and enormously enjoyed his energy, insight, great people skills and boyish good fun. Since then I’ve watched from the sidelines the progress of Zopa, and couldn’t help but be impressed. Well done Richard I would say to myself.

And now this awful news.

I never met Richard’s family, and can only imagine how they must be feeling. My thoughts are with them.

My condolences go to you Krys and the children. I am sure you will miss him every moment but what a great man and what a great impact he has left behind him

Kelly xx

Condolences to Krys and everyone else who is missing him.

What a loss. My condolences to all those who loved him.

Jx