![[Freelance]](../gif/fl3H.png)
His motto is ‘always ask for more!’
PHIL SUTCLIFFE has stepped down from the London Freelance Branch committee, after an astonishing four decades, to commit time to writing a book. Members paid tribute to his work for the union at the Branch seasonal event on 13 December.
Phil with the giant card and (l-r) Duncan Campbell, Tim Gopsill, Carol Lee, Mike Holderness, Humphrey Evans, Nick Renaud-Komiya, Hillary Macaskill, Ros Bayley and Matt Salusbury
Branch Chair Tim Gopsill organised and presented the traditional giant card, packed with tributes from members past and present. Tim observed that Phil had done most of the work putting the gathering together. So, Tim suggested, Phol remained the perfect trade union colleague - "unwittingly organising his own leaving do".
Julio Etchart pays tribute
Phil joined London Freelance Branch in 1979 – at the time of a freelance strike at IPC Magazines. He swiftly became a keystone of LFB's work. He has been Chair and Secretary of the Branch, and was most recently joint Membership Secretary. He has been Chair of Freelance Industrial Council and a National Executive Council member.
Hillary Macaskill, searching for detail for her tribute, knew she was on the right trach when she found a piece she wrote in 2006 on Phil being made a Member of Honour of the NUJ.
Phil with the giant card and Duncan Campbell
Humphrey Evans recalled working with Phil on NUJ training courses “Getting Started as a Freelance” and “Pitch and Deal” – the latter covering the niceties of getting commissions and getting good terms for them.
Humphrey Evans with Phil's partner Gaylee and Hillary Macaskill
Phil, Humphrey said, was remarkable for always giving every course participant individual and personal attention – asking after their specific circumstances in breaks and keeping his door open for further advice years down the line. And Humphrey reminded all freelances of the key message that Phil chalked up at the end of each course: "Always ask for more!"
Honouring Phil Sutcliffe Sep 2006
Honouring Phil Sutcliffe (again) Mar 2007