Nikhil Kumar

It’s coming up to almost 10 weeks and I still can't believe I am sharing an “In Memory” tribute of a colleague and friend taken far too soon. But the tragic truth is we are now in a world without Nikhil Kumar; who passed away after a short illness. With the permission of his wife Hiree, I am looking to help remember him.

Many of you knew Nikhil, but for those of you who didn’t he was a pioneer during his 17 years with EY. As a graduate he joined our GDS team when it was created and has been there ever since. Rising through the ranks he was the a global account lead, technical lead, team lead, counsellor and a respected and admired role model. Many of the roles he undertook he was the first to do – yet all he did them all superbly.

I personally have had the pleasure of working with Nikhil for the past 8 years. He was all of the above but more than this he was a friend. The weeks may have past but I still miss our catch up calls and chats. My last feedback summed it up 'there is nobody else I would rather work with - you are the best'.

Whether it was CEO's and CFO's he was supporting or the new joiner taking their first move - he did it brilliantly. Technically superb with a calm, assured and caring style.

Many tears have been cried over Nikhil’s passing and we miss him as a friend and colleague. But he is also missed as a family man, a husband and a Dad. Nikhil was proud of his role with EY but it was his role as a Husband and Dad that made him proudest. His son, Parth, won't have his Dad there for his 3rd birthday or any others, so my aim is to set up a memorial book and this fund so that Parth, Hiree and Nikhil's loved ones know how respected and liked Nikhil was by his colleagues and clients.

Please don't feel obliged but if you do want to donate in Nikhil’s memory then any amounts raised will look to be set aside for Parth and it will be down to Hiree to decide when and how she shares these with him.