The 55-year-old died suddenly earlier this month, sending shockwaves across the Midlands business world

Moving tributes were paid to the late Nick Smith, CEO of Elonex Outdoor Media, at the Blues’ 1-1 Boxing Day draw with Derby County.

The main digital display board showed a picture of the 55-year-old – a lifelong Bluenose – before kick-off at St Andrews @ Knighthead.

Prof Cadman shares about his dear friend

Nick had planned to go to the game with his family and meet his long-standing friend, Professor Paul Cadman, CEO of the One Thousand Trades Group (OTTG).

“I’ve known Nick for decades, and his passion, drive and enthusiasm were infectious,” said Paul, who shed a tear yesterday as the memories flooded back.

“He had great ideas, and he was hugely successful in executing them, including with Elonex, which he grew into a multi-million-pound company nationwide.

‘Nick was incredibly supportive to me personally’

“Nick was also incredibly supportive to me personally, whether with the Acorns charity, with the OTTG or with the Blues Foundation. 

“He was one of the most generous people I’ve ever known, and the two of us loved nothing more than putting the world to rights over a beer.

“Nick was intelligent and endearing and he leaves behind the most incredible wife and family.”

Joking text exchange about going to heaven

Cadman shared a personal text exchange with Nick, which has taken on an added poignancy since his recent passing.

“Nick texted me once joking, ‘Paul Cadman, you are definitely going to heaven – the only challenge will be you won’t know anybody,’” said Cadman.

“So, it now turns I will know someone, as Nick will get there before me.

“He and I had the Blues’ Boxing Day game v Derby game in our diaries. He was set to go with his family. We were going to meet up as we often did. But life had other plans.

“I’m utterly devastated to lose my friend.”

Final farewell

Elonex recently added an OTTG advert creative to its digital display at the foot of the main Christmas tree in Birmingham German Market.

“That was the latest kind gesture so typical of Nick, and as it turns out, that was his final farewell,” added Cadman.

Nick was a big supporter of the OTTG and West Midlands News

Thank you, Nick

From West Midlands News, we send our profound sympathies to the family of Nick Smith.

Nick was a larger-than-life character who took a genuine interest in the OTTG, and specifically in WM News. He gave us hundreds of thousands of pounds’ worth of ad space across Elonex’s digital outdoor network of screens when we launched in April this year.

From all of us at the OTTG: Thank you, Nick, you are deeply missed.