Patrick Curry, one of Clarksons’ longest-serving shipbrokers, has died after being admitted to hospital suffering from the coronavirus infection.
Curry, 66, was one of the joint heads of Clarksons' specialised products team which has grown in recent years to around 125 staff worldwide. He leaves behind wife Sarah and daughter Nanette.
Andi Case, Clarksons chief executive, paid a warm tribute to him in a note breaking the news to staff today.
“The term ‘giant of Industry’ is not often used, and for good reason, but we think all will agree that Patrick deserves such an accolade,” Case said.
Curry was taken ill about a week ago but worsened over the weekend and was taken to hospital on Monday afternoon as a suspected case of Covid-19.
“Despite the best efforts of the NHS medical staff, he was unable to fend off the disease and lost his battle and sadly passed away this morning,” Case said.
Healthy lifestyle
Curry was considered by colleagues to be healthy, regularly going to the gym and taking on endurance cycling challenges, such as riding up the legendary Mont Ventoux in southern France, and cycling the 170 km between Bergen and Voss in Norway.
Curry joined Clarksons as a graduate in 1976 and went on to specialise in the sophisticated chemical tanker market.
Earlier this year, Clarksons bought Spanish broker Martankers to expand to its specialised products unit which had been significantly beefed up in the 2000s with the acquisitions of Plowrights and Genchem.
Dave Saxby, who jointly headed the team with Curry and Sean Coulter, said his former colleague embodied the best of the shipbroking profession.
“He was very old school; highly professional, ethical, methodical, gentlemanly and he stood by the motto ‘My Word is My Bond’. We’ll all miss him profoundly,” Saxby told TradeWinds.
Case said Curry was hugely respected by clients and brokers alike for his knowledge and connections across the market.
“As a leader, many young brokers looked up to him for guidance and he had a knack for nurturing and supporting talent across the department,” Case added.
Wit and charm
“His spirit and that loud laugh that would echo throughout the floor, will always be remembered, as well as his wit and charm.
“I can honestly say I have never heard anyone say anything but positives about Patrick. He was the consummate gentleman at all times.
“He was, and will always remain, one of the leading lights of our industry and he will be greatly missed, as a colleague, friend, husband and father.”
Case said a celebration of Curry’s life would be planned at an appropriate time in coordination with his family.
Last week, Clarksons said that most of its staff were now able to work from home, “helping our clients with their needs, and thus enabling global trade in these exceptional circumstances”.
