It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Phil Owen, popular and much befriended Advertisement Manager of the former Industrial Minerals magazine.
Phil, 56, died peacefully in his sleep on 16 February 2021.
As anyone who met him knew, Phil was a very proud Welshman and loved his rugby. He grew up in Caerphilly, a town just north of Cardiff. Born on 6 September 1964, he attended St Martin’s Comprehensive, Caerphilly before taking a degree in history at the University of Leicester.
Many of IMFORMED’s clients and the global industrial minerals community will fondly recall Phil’s invaluable eight year stint at the former Industrial Minerals magazine (IM; see “So, farewell then Industrial Minerals magazine…”).
Phil joined IM as Deputy Advertisement Manager in January 1991 (reporting to a certain Ismene!), and became Advertisement Manager in January 1994 (on Ismene’s (first) departure), responsible for all advertising sales across IM print products.
The drinks are on IM: Phil entertaining attendees at the IM stand “unofficial happy hour” at the SME Annual Meeting 1999, Denver; incl. Vanessa Santos (2nd left; then Regional Geologist, Unimin Corp., now Raw Material Sourcing Manager, BYK Additives) and Ken Santini (1st right; industrial minerals consultant).
It was a golden period for IM, with issues of many pages adorned with advertising, and high conference attendance. By the time this author became Editor of IM in 1995, a formidable Editorial-Ads team had evolved led by Mike O’Driscoll and Phil Owen.
Some of this author’s finest memories at IM were with Phil, touring the world together visiting clients and operations and running conferences from Aachen, Denver, Rio de Janeiro, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur to Tokyo.
Phil had an easy-going and friendly approach to his work, which, when combined with his ability to talk with anyone about anything, enabled a swift rapport with customers which for many developed into longstanding friendships.
Cocktails on the canals, 3rd Processing for Profit Conference, Antwerp, 1999: Phil (right) with Robert van der Woude (left; Mineral Logistics BV) and Marcus Saller (middle; IM Ads. Exec.).
As is so important today as it was then, socialising with customers and maintaining connections came easy to Phil, and made being on the road with him such a joy.
Some of the many high points included an unforgettable experience as part of the tiny overseas contingent at the 1st Brazilian Symposium on Industrial Minerals in 1992, in the remote spa town of São Lourenço, Minas Gerais; and hosting delegates in a crammed hotel bedroom on the eve of the 3rd Chinese IM Conference, Dalian to watch England play New Zealand at the 1999 Rugby World Cup.
Killing “My Way” at the CNMIEC Dancing Party, 1st Chinese IM Conference, Beijing, 1995; Phil (right) with Ed van Eersel (middle; then Ankerpoort , now VP Global Specialty Minerals Procurement, Sibelco) and Mike O’Driscoll (left; then IM Editor).
However, after eight years at IM Phil decided to call it a day in mid-2002, and was happy to drop out of the business media rat race and move north with his family to Wetherby, near Leeds.
Phil retained some attachment to publishing by working locally in sales with The Book People, and then latterly, with an interest in horticulture, pursued work with his local council’s Parks and Environmental Services team.
“Iechyd da!”
He will be sorely missed by all those in the industrial minerals fraternity that knew him, either as colleague or customer.
Phil is survived by his wife, Catherine, and children Sam, Tom, and Libby.
Any donations in memory of Phil are welcome to Cancer Research UK, please see here.
What a nice person he was. So young, but he will always be remembered. As a host, always laughing and assisting delegates during many occasions. Pleasant to be in his presence. Missed him already when he left IM and moved away. He was a friend. Our thoughts will go to his loved ones.
Phil, cheers.
Hello Mike and Ismene. I’ve just heard about Phil’s passing and wanted to pass on my condolences to you both and all close to him. He was a lovely fella and I particularly enjoyed watching various international rugby matches with you him (and you Mike!) in Thames Ditton.
Although we worked together, it was all too brief before I myself moved onto other things, but from the short time we did spend together I know he was a consummate professional and all round good guy. This is so sad.
Best regards
John Wright