Rick Carr, one of our founding partners, has passed away at age 78. Rick founded the practice in Newcastle in 1976, alongside Michael Burch, Geoffrey Cundall, David Gandy, and Bernard Johnston. He played an instrumental role in the businesses' global growth, especially by persuading Laurie Clark to join him in establishing the practice’s London office in 1981. The pair formed a formidable double act and remained lifelong friends.
The founding of the London office is a key part of our history. It led to the development of relationships with key clients, architects and project managers and securing work on renowned projects – part of Rick’s legacy that still lives on today.
Rick was a popular figure in the industry and helped Cundall win a wave of high-profile projects which set the newly established consultancy apart. Notably, this included the Daily Telegraph Westferry Printworks. He also helped win and deliver the headquarters of globally renowned brands like Swiss Bank, British Airways and Deutsche Bank London. Rick was also instrumental in helping to deliver the world-renowned Millenium Dome (now known as The O2) in London.
As an electrical engineer, Rick was an avid supporter of our early work in low-energy and sustainable buildings, encouraging development of this core aspect of our ethos.
Richard Stratton, Partner and EMENA Managing Director, was a close colleague and one of Rick’s protégés.
Reflecting on his memories of Rick, Richard said, “I remember Rick with great fondness and respect. I was fortunate to work closely with him and have many happy memories and stories that will always make me smile and ensure Rick lives on in our hearts.
“He had an enviable ability to connect with people and a remarkable memory for faces and details, skills that made him extremely successful at business development, which was instrumental in the growth and development of Cundall globally.
“His charisma, sense of humour and authenticity endeared him to people throughout the construction industry. If any of us met someone new in the industry and mentioned Cundall their response was most often, "Oh yes - I know Rick Carr”.
“I will always be grateful for his friendship, support and mentorship - he had a big impact on my career and those of so many others.”
Rick retired in 2006, and his legacy and impact continues in Cundall’s culture. He was particularly successful at building relationships with clients and enhancing business development activities during the practice’s early days.
David Dryden, Partner, remembers his mentor and colleague Rick fondly. He said, “It is impossible to think of Rick without a smile on my face, such was the nature of his infectious sunny persona.
“It was this ability to find a way to make everyone he met want to work with this unassuming Geordie lad, and his amazing capacity to retain names, faces and relationships, allied with a well concealed drive to succeed that set him apart.
“Rick never shied away from a challenge, signing up at age of 30 with his four founding partners, then five years later moving to London with Laurie Clark and together transforming a provincial practice to a national one in the process.”
Rick’s legacy will live on in the company that he loved, and he will be forever remembered as the family man and great friend that he was.