Celebrating Les: Colleague, Mentor, Friend
A Milestone Moment
April brought a milestone for Cymba as we celebrated Les Beech’s retirement after more than a decade with us. It’s hard to imagine the office without him - his energy, humour, and support were part of the fabric of our days.
We’ll miss him deeply, not just for the incredible work he did, but for the laughter and lightness he brought to the team. He will, however, continue to inspire both the wider community and us.
Where it all began
His journey with Cymba started back at St John Ambulance. With a budget to try something new, he teamed up with DTV on a campaign that caught everyone’s attention. That advert eventually became a text‑to‑donate initiative - with Cymba right at the heart of it - and, well, the rest is history.
When he officially joined the team, Regular Giving by SMS was on the verge of launching. He brought with him a wealth of experience from regular giving campaigns, and under his guidance, the initiative grew into a powerful platform that made life easier for clients. He had a knack for spotting what would make things better and then making it happen - and usually making us laugh along the way.
More than just work, cats, wine and music
His absence is already felt, but Les wasn’t just the “campaign guru.” His warmth and personality shone through in everyday moments. Who else could make a complex two‑step campaign sound simple, or turn a chat about bounce‑back messaging into a mini masterclass? And of course, we’ll never forget Katja and Rasamus, his beloved cats, who became honorary team members, often stealing the spotlight on calls and reminding us who really ran the show.
It feels fitting that many of the charities he worked with shared his love of animals - Battersea Cats and Dogs, Cats Protection, and The Brooke. His efforts with them raised vital funds, but they also reflected his personal passions, which made his contributions all the more meaningful.
We’ll miss his support more than words can say. He was never too busy to explain something, lend a hand, or share a story. From his time studying in Japan to living in the US with his parents, he was always entertaining, making you stop and listen. And there were never any half measures - whether it was work, wine, or music - from rock to jazz, he threw himself in wholeheartedly and gave it his all.
Life beyond Cymba
So, what’s next? For now, he is taking some well‑earned time to focus on himself - tennis, cycling, pilates, and enjoying his beautiful new kitchen are high on his new agenda. We can already picture him, glass of wine in hand, music playing, and a smile on his face. We know he’ll throw himself into this next chapter with the same enthusiasm he brought to work.
Thank you, Les, for everything - from your friends at Cymba and the charities you've helped along the way. We'll miss you, but we'll carry your energy forward with pride. Here's to you: colleague, mentor, and friend. We'll raise a glass (and maybe sneak in a toast to Katja and Rasamus too).
