Re: RIP Kristian Digby
I had the greatest of pleasure of meeting Kristian at a property symposium, some years ago and we had remained friends ever since. What struck me most was his engaging and charming manner, who rarely had a harsh word for anyone and who always tried to find a positive perspective to any problem. His towering height and rather gangly limbs were more of an asset to him than a impediment, to which he used to great advantage. I remember an occasion when he joined us for dinner and he amused Flyboy9 and Flyboy10 with some magic tricks. He told them that he came from a family of giants and he his great great grandfather knew Jack (from the beanstalk) and he had inherited the Golden Goose. Within a trice he produced a golden egg from Flyboy10's ear and they were transfixed by his skill as an entertainer. In fact, Flyboy10's dyslexia was the reason we struck up a friendship, rather than business and he would often be a source of encouragement for him.
For myself, I always found him to have the highest integrity in his business dealings and a great source of knowledge and influence in the property market. He used to say that it was important to have amateurs in the market because they are the ones who support it from the grassroots. He felt that shows such as, "Homes Under The Hammer," were essential to show the ups and downs of property trading. Unfortunately I disagreed with him on the basis that it sugared the pill a little too much and didn't show enough of the pitfalls that faced them when they failed (I never really understood why Martin Roberts agreed to do that show, as he was always a bit of a doom and gloom merchant in the early years).
He got the property bug from his father, who was already a formidable name in the market (not someone you would want to cross swords with) and he inherited his instincts for spotting the gems at auctions. Although his portfolio was relatively small in comparison, it was diverse and often a little quirky. He would acquire properties that not many of us would bother with and almost always manage to turn a profit from them.
Farewell Kris, everyone in the Flyboy household will miss you and our best wishes to your family and partner.
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