Stefan Platz, Account Manager Northbank Communications Died 21st April 2004

Northbank Communications sadly announces the death of Stefan Platz, 28, Account Manager, following an accident whilst on honeymoon in Oman.

Stefan joined Northbank in September 2002. An Austrian national, Stefan had a Masters in Genetics and an MBA. He was responsible for the Company's Munich office and took a lead role in managing Tecan and Sigma, two of Northbank's key accounts.

Honouring Stefan's life and his contribution to Northbank, Chairman Mark Adams said: "I first met Stefan in a monstrous cold and steely modern office block in Munich. It was a complete contrast to his character. He was funny, creative, full of sparkle, always keen to try something new, and quite cheeky. He was also very diligent and took responsibility to heart - he took things seriously and always worried about his work, but the overriding theme was that Stefan knew the value of plain human warmth and humour. He gave and received it in large measure. He made others smile and laugh, and could almost always be relied on to do so. He wore his heart on his sleeve. There was an incredible honesty and openness in his approach. He always left an impression on people and as far as I could see, it was always good."

"Stefan was a great person. Which makes his loss all the worse. We are grateful for Stefan's time with Northbank. He was a first class human being and he has left an enduring mark. We are all very glad to have known him and are very sad to have lost him. His death is a shock that will take us all time to assimilate and come to terms with."

“Our thoughts are with his close relatives and friends, and especially his new wife Dima, for whom the loss will be most devastating.”

Stefan was married to Dima Sakkab on Mount Nebo in Jordan on Easter Sunday 11th April. In a style typical of Stefan and Dima, they celebrated their wedding with a one-week tour of Jordan for 80 guests, with parties every night. In a tragic accident during their honeymoon in Oman, on 21st April, Stefan slipped on a rock and fell to his death. He was buried on 27th April in Kirchschlag, Austria.

Commenting on the reassignment of responsibilities at Northbank, CEO Sue Charles said: "Stefan had excellent networking and client management skills, and will be sadly missed by his colleagues at Northbank, his clients and his many industry contacts. Northbank's Munich office will continue with local account support by newly appointed Katharina Winterstein. Stefan's client responsibilities will be assumed by existing staff as well as by the four newly appointed account management staff."

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