Colleagues pay tribute to former head of Sussex careers service
Colleagues have paid tribute to a former director of the careers service at Sussex who died last month.
Brian Nisbet was a much admired and much loved colleague and leader at the University, who will be remembered for his thoughtful approach to his work and his life.
Following a spell at Southampton Solent University, Brian joined the University of Sussex in 1996 as a Careers Adviser and in the summer of 2001 became Director until July 2004.
He oversaw the successful merger of the then Student Employment Office with the Career Development Unit.
After a break for some travelling, Brian worked at Robert Gordon University before ill health led to his early retirement.
Brian was living in the Cotswolds with his wife Emily, a professional musician, and successfully writing and publishing poetry.
Carolyn Morris, Brian’s predecessor at Sussex, echoes the thoughts of all his former colleagues in saying: “He was a wonderful colleague: terrifically committed to our students, always up for a good debate, and always ready for fun too.
“He was a great team member, thoughtful and supportive and bursting with ability.
“We'll miss many things about Brian, most of all, that beguiling smile.”
Andrea Wall, Employer Engagement Manager at the Careers & Employability Centre (CEC), says: “Brian was an intelligent and caring manager. He acted as a mentor not just to me but to many Sussex students who worked part time for the careers service.
“On news of his death one former student, who is now in a management position within a local secondary school, spoke of how she has taken the positive lessons she learnt from Brian, particularly how he communicated with others, into her own career. It is a lovely legacy.”
Brian’s friends and former colleagues at Sussex are creating a permanent memorial on campus to celebrate Brian’s life and to remember him.