Remembering Ian Brookfield
Posted on Jul 14, 2023It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of Penny Post Group Director and Treasurer, Ian Brookfield. Our deepest sympathies go out to all his family and friends at this sad time.
Ian who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, died on Sunday 2nd July, surrounded by his loved ones. Well known in the Wolverhampton Mail Centre, he will be remembered as a down to earth, positive, generous man with a larger-than-life character, and always up for a laugh. Caring, thoughtful, dedicated and hard-working, Ian worked on Royal Mail delivery for 10 years, was a Union Rep, and joined the Penny Post Board in 2017. Always well informed about the Credit Union movement, Ian was very good at making decisions that balanced the members interests against the financial needs of the business -not always easy!
In 2019 Ian left Royal Mail to become leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council and led his city through the pandemic. First elected to Wolverhampton Council in 1995, Ian loved Wolverhampton and always wanted the best for the city. He served as mayor in 2015-16 raising more than £17,000 for his chosen charities, including at the Wolverhampton Bike Ride, which he opened, then hopped on an old bike and completed wearing his mayoral chains of office!
Penny Post Group CEO, Matt Goulding, said “Ian was on the interview panel when I joined Penny Post and from that moment, I remember him as always having a great ability to bring a discussion or debate into focus and make sound decisions based on a clear understanding of the issues and always having the members interests in mind. He was very committed to Penny Post whilst having a very demanding ‘day job’ and even when clearly very ill, attended Board Meetings and wanted to contribute.”
“Ian always knew the right questions to ask if he felt that he didn’t have all the information that was required to decide on the best way forward” continues Matt. “He was very supportive of me in my role and wanted to ensure the SLT always had the right amount of resource and support to take the credit union forward and improve. Everything was always done in good spirit and with a great sense of humour. Ian is a great loss to our Board and to the credit union.”
Born and raised in Liverpool, Ian first trained as an auxiliary nurse in a mental hospital before becoming a qualified nurse working in hospitals across Liverpool and it was during this time that he met his wife Paula, who was a ward manager. Ian and Paula moved to Wolverhampton more than 30 years ago, and have two sons, Paul and Tony.
Ian’s passion for Everton Football Club was second to none and started when his mother worked in catering at Goodison Park and was able to get a young Ian in for free!
Penny Post Group President, Dave Jones, said “Ian was a really good bloke and made a big impact wherever he was. He played a big part in Penny Post’s journey and helped get us to where we are today. He was always thinking, was never afraid to challenge, and his experience and knowledge were invaluable to our credit union. Ian will be missed by everyone who know him.”
City of Wolverhampton Council have an online Book of Condolences for anyone wishing to add a message in Ian’s memory.