Concordia Magazine 2025

Andrew Goodall

(1974–1978)

After leaving MTS Andrew started his insurance career in the City of London as a trainee broker at Stewart Wrightson, where his father Tony also worked. He focused on aeronautical insurance, working for various firms including nearly 20 years at Sturge Aviation Syndicate Management. I remember him telling me a story about a pilot being disciplined. The pilot had come out of the cockpit holding and unravelling two balls of twine; he went to the nearest passenger and instructed them to keep a steady and even hold on each, to maintain the plane on a safe course while he was briefly away from the controls. As ever, AG finished the story with his trademark gentle guffaw — and, of course, no explanation as to whether the story was attached to a claim. AG met Angela in the early 1990s and they were married in 1995. They set up home in Heronsgate, Chorleywood, and a year later they had a son, Adam. The marriage eventually ended in divorce, but the two of them remained close friends. In 2007 AG moved to Martigny to work at Flagstone Reinsurance, Switzerland. On most Fridays he would travel to Geneva and catch a late plane back to Luton so that he could see his son over the weekend. In 2014, with his health and mobility declining, AG returned permanently to England, living in Northwood. Despite their divorce, Ange continued to give AG unstinting support through his difficult journey. He was a great friend and quiet observer of life. He had an endearing habit of repeating back to you the last three or four words you said to him — a lovely way of reassuring you that your words were heard and valued. Nick Richmond (1973–1978)

Andrew Goodall died on 23 June 2024. Andy, or AG as he was known to some of his closer friends, joined Merchant Taylors’ School from St Martin’s Prep School in 1974. In later life he often fondly reminisced about his time at MTS, whether it was a trip to a Royal Navy submarine with the Combined Cadet Force, the lifelong friends he made, days at the swimming pool in the summer holidays or golf at Sandy Lodge. He would wryly recollect that the last of these offered opportunities for a sneaky cigarette or two but one had to be careful not to be caught by the eagle eyed master in charge, ‘Fanny’ Hill, who was notorious in his dislike of the weed. Andrew was not a golf nut but simply enjoyed the company and being out of doors; as a teenager he even worked with Sandy Lodge ground staff over one summer holiday. In 1985 we both took part in the OMT Golfing Society’s inaugural summer meeting at Thorpeness. We played five rounds over three days in baking hot weather, putting us in that minority of the people on the planet who never saw the Live Aid concert. As with most OMT sporting events, downtime was spent in the bar and, of course, without the ubiquitous screens of modern times. AG loved most sports but was probably happiest sailing. There were frequent trips on Paul Tomlinson’s (OMT 1973–1976) boat, often out of Dartmouth to the Channel Islands or to France. In 1990 we took a holiday together, staying in Bermuda with my brother. From the Robin Hood Bar, a lively expat venue, we endured watching England in the early stages of World Cup Italia ‘90.

Concordia Winter 2025 64