Remembering NSC’s long-standing editor

Nick Barrett, Editor and Editor-in-Chief, of New Steel Construction (NSC) has sadly died at the age of 72.

Acknowledged by his many colleagues (past and present) as a professional and diligent journalist, Nick oversaw NSC’s coverage of the UK and Ireland’s steel construction sector since 2005.

Highlighting and featuring articles on many of the nation’s iconic and landmark steel-framed structures of the last 20 years, alongside technical and industry reports, NSC has become a well-known and indispensable publication for the sector.

Nick also helped produce many supplements and brochures on behalf of the British Constructional Steelwork Association, including Steel Construction Design for Reuse (printed this year) and others on a variety of topics such as education, fire engineering and sustainability.

Born in Glasgow, he attended the city’s Caledonian University (formerly known as Glasgow College of Technology) and was awarded Bachelor’s degrees in economics and politics.

Moving to London in the late 1970s, Nick’s journalist journey began on the Westminster Press Graduate Trainee Scheme at the Ealing Gazette. He later found his calling writing and reporting on the construction industry. He was a staff writer at New Civil Engineer from 1981 to 1985.

Following three years working for a City stockbroker, he established Barrett Byrd Associates (and later Alignment Media), Kent-based contract publishers and press relations companies specialising in construction, manufacturing and transportation.

Outside of steel construction, Nick had many hobbies and interests to keep him occupied. He a had an extensive knowledge of music and played guitar and the piano. He enjoyed sailing from his home town on the coast, got involved with art classes and passionately supported Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.

He is survived by his wife, Cathy, daughters Kirsty, Catherine and Sophie and four grandchildren, Chloe, Alasdair, Lyra and Oliver.