Former Suffolk business editor Duncan Brodie has died

Duncan, who was 65, joined the EADT in 1982 - he was part of its first-ever training scheme. 

His first office was in Woodbridge where he met his wife, Amanda.

She remembers: "I called in to see John Grant, who was the chief reporter. John was not in that day, but Duncan was there, we went for a pub lunch and the rest is history… we married in 1986."

Duncan was a real star during training - he won the Pfizer Award which was a national award for the top young writer in the National Council for the Training of Journalist's proficiency test.

Duncan worked in several offices at the start of his career with the EADT (Image: Newsquest)

After Woodbridge he then worked at Bury St Edmunds and Colchester before joining the business and agriculture department in Ipswich where he eventually became editor.

Always noted in the office for his ready wit and over-use of excruciating puns, Duncan was respected by all his colleagues who knew him to be a loyal employee and a supportive and kind boss.

He was well respected in the business community and beyond, because he went to great lengths to ensure any story he published was fair, accurate and told the real story without fear or favour – he was a journalist of the old school.

His hobbies included steam locomotives, he was a member of the Ffestiniog Railway in Wales, where he spent many happy days riding the trains and taking photos of the engines.

He was also a lifelong supporter of Liverpool football club.

I was on the same course as Duncan and we soon became close friends. His love of football and steam trains ensured we had much in common.

Five years ago we found ourselves in North Wales at the same time as each other. My wife was delighted - it meant I could spend the day with Duncan riding on the Welsh Highland Railway between Porthmadog to Caernafon and she was able to stay in our holiday let in Blaenau Ffestiniog exploring the cafes of the town with our daughter!

Terry Hunt and Duncan Brodie at the Anglian Business Awards in 2012, (Image: Newsquest)

Terry Hunt, former EADT editor, said: “Duncan was superb in the very important role of Business Editor at the EADT.

"Our business coverage, and our working relationships with the local business community, were crucial for us.

“Duncan’s integrity, credibility and sense of fairness contributed so much to the EADT’s reputation as a newspaper which covered business comprehensively and intelligently.

“More important than that, on a personal level Duncan was a lovely man who was so knowledgeable on an impressively wide range of subjects.

"He was also an excellent journalist, as was recognised when he won an international award early in his career.”

John Dugmore, Suffolk Chamber chief executive said: “I can speak with confidence when I say that everyone at Suffolk Chamber, whether staff or members, who knew Duncan will be shocked and upset by the news of his untimely passing.

“As the EADT’s business editor, Duncan was an authoritative and insightful recorder of both individual businesses and the broader influences, both political and technological, impacting on Suffolk’s business owners, leaders and management teams.

"Whether it was Brexit, infrastructure or skills issues, Duncan knew what his readers needed to know and wrote with real authority and incisiveness about such topics.

“Above all, he was a trusted champion of the entrepreneurial and civic spirit that marks out the county’s business community from other parts of the country. Duncan liked and respected the people he was reporting on – feelings reciprocated in full.

“We extend our profound sympathies to Duncan’s family and to his EADT ‘family’ for whom this must be a very sad time indeed.”

Duncan in New Zealand on holiday last year. (Image: Amanda Brodie)

Duncan took early retirement in 2018 - but he did not slow down. Last year he and Amanda enjoyed what he described to me as "the holiday of a lifetime" travelling around both islands of New Zealand.

Duncan and Amanda lived in Hadleigh for many years, and it was at home that Duncan collapsed and died suddenly last month.

As well as Amanda he leaves his son Jack, mother Claire and sister Susan. There will be a private funeral for family only next month. 

But there will be an informal memorial service to celebrate his life on January 13 at 11am at Hadleigh Baptist Church, George Street, Hadleigh, to which all are welcome.