I first met Simon when I was buying films for my distribution company Palace having just finished making The Company of Wolves I had ambitions to produce more films. He was also a terrific man who supported young writers, directors and producers throughout his career. He was a colossal influence on many of us breaking through in the British film industry in the 1980s and 90s.

I was shocked when I heard that Simon Relph had died unexpectedly at the weekend.