Remembering Neil Warwick OBE

The staff and board at New Writing North were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our Chair Neil Warwick OBE, a born and bred Geordie and leading Competition and European law specialist at Knights law firm.

Neil was appointed New Writing North Chair in September 2024, at a time of momentous change for the organisation, as the plans for a new centre for writing and publishing started to gather real momentum. Neil was excited by the huge transformative potential of this project and all it could deliver for the people of the North East and in a city he loved. His energy, drive and ambition for the project were critical in moving a long-held dream into the realms of reality. And his vast legal knowledge and considerable experience of leading large-scale change projects meant he was able to deftly guide and support us through the last 15 months.

Neil was also passionate about our work with young people and communities in the west end of Newcastle. It was one of the reasons he joined the board, saying that he was particularly drawn by our work with Excelsior Academy in Benwell, an area he had known since childhood and where he still had family. Only a few months ago he joined fellow trustee Matt Forster to conduct mock interviews with students there. He was always willing to give his time generously, deeply motivated by giving something back and trying to help others having a better start in life.

We are saddened that he will never get to see the centre for writing and publishing fully realised but his approach, wisdom and leadership will be remembered. He will be missed by everyone here at New Writing North.

We extend our condolences to Neil’s sons Richard and Sam, the rest of this family, his friends and all that had the good fortune to work with him.