‘His heart was with his charities’: Tributes paid to property tycoon Nigel Henry

Tributes were paid today to “extraordinary” property veteran and philanthropist Nigel Henry, after he passed away peacefully on Shabbat, aged 61. 

The former Langdon trustee was the chair and co-founder of Fusion Group, a privately owned living sector specialist. He co-founded Fusion in 2007 with Warren Rosenberg, subsequently launching the Fusion Students brand and creating the Fusion Group. Nigel also played an active role in Tri7, a partner business to Fusion, focusing on strategic acquisitions across various asset classes.

With over 40 years experience in the property industry, Nigel was also a business mentor to younger companies. His Fusion Group recently sponsored the Jewish News’ Property 40 under 40 list, for which Nigel was a judge.

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But it was his love of community and the way he gave his time, contacts and energy to others that were the focus of heartfelt tributes, including at his funeral which was attended by around 1000 mourners on Sunday.

Nigel was a trustee of several charities including Kisharon Langdon, serving as chairman of Langdon from 2018 to 2023, as well as Bright Futures. For 18 years, he supported victims of terror in the Middle East through The 1000 Club.

Kisharon Langdon co-chairs Nick Doffman and Philip Goldberg said:
“Nigel was a deeply respected trustee of Kisharon Langdon and former chair of Langdon and was profoundly loved and valued. He had time for everyone and gave years of dedicated service with extraordinary wisdom, integrity and humility. Instrumental in the merger of Kisharon Langdon, he leaves an unmatched legacy that will continue to shape and strengthen lives of people with learning disabilities and autistic people for generations to come. We will miss Nigel enormously, and may his memory be a blessing.”

Nigel’s machatunim and good friend Mark Pollack, co-founder of Aston Chase, said: “I will really miss Nigel as both my machatunim and a good friend. He was a great sportsman, an exceptional businessman with a deep sense of communal responsibility (he was passionate about Langdon and was the driving force behind the recent coming together of Kisharon and Langdon) and what has also come to light is that he mentored and inspired countless young people in the property industry. However, first and foremost, Nigel was a devoted husband, father and grandfather….how he found time for everything and simultaneously built a hugely successful business is nothing short of remarkable as was reflected by the extraordinary turnout and outpouring of love and respect at the funeral… even the Rabbi was in tears when giving his eulogy.

“Nigel packed an enormous amount into his 61 years a lot of which was done quietly and with kindness and humility. He is going to be deeply missed by his family, friends and business colleagues but they will take comfort that he is now at peace and in the knowledge that he had such a positive impact on so many lives.”

Another close friend Ray Kelvin, the founder of Ted Baker, said: “As one gets older it’s not often you make a great new best friend. My friend Nigel was that man. He was a unique human – kind, special, positive and so brave, so unusual in today’s throw away society.

“I recited the first line of the Shema (prayer) over the speaker phone with him listening, as his last hours of life drew near. He found strength to respond with the Baruch Sham Covod and told me he loved me. I stopped my car and walked aimlessly, in a total blur of sadness. We will all miss Nigel. In his own written epitaph, he said: ‘I will see you all soon, not too soon I hope.’ We must never forget his kindness , loyalty, strength and positivity. And his lousy second serve. Love you Nigel.”

Over 1,000 people attended his funeral which took place at Bushey Old Cemetery on Sunday, led by Rabbi Jonny Hughes, the former rabbi of Radlett United Synagogue, where Nigel was a member.

Rabbi Hughes, who was close to Nigel for many years, said he had known him both through the synagogue and through The Abraham Effect, the education and outreach charity Rabbi Hughes founded after leaving the rabbinate – a transition that Nigel, the charity’s founding trustee, helped make possible.

Rabbi Hughes said. “He held my hand in the transition from being a community rabbi to running The Abraham Effect. He was instrumental in getting it up and running.”

During his eulogy, Rabbi Hughes spoke about the Jewish idea of “shem tov” (a good name). “There are three crowns: the crown of Torah, the crown of priesthood and the crown of kingship,” he said. “And there’s one more – the crown of shem tov. And they say that is the greatest crown of all. Nigel left this world wearing that crown. He was a mensch.”

He described Nigel as a “giant in the property world,” but said “his heart was with the charities,” adding: “He did as much in 60 years as most people do in 120. A very special soul – humble, no ego, a real mensch. You felt safe in his presence.”

“It was an honour to call myself Nigel’s rabbi,” he added. “He was always encouraging and lifting others. He didn’t just open doors for people, he took them through the doors.

“He helped so many people and believed in others before they believed in themselves.”

Nigel leaves behind his wife Reva, their three children; Sophie, Emma and Ben, and six grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Carolyn and mother Gloria.

His company, Fusion said in a statement: “Nigel was a leader in every aspect of his life. From the business he co-founded and built and the industry he shaped, to his devotion to his family, friends, and the charitable endeavours that he championed with endless energy and enthusiasm. He co-founded the Fusion Students brand in 2012 and only stepped back as CEO in September 2025 – Nigel built a business in Fusion that shaped an industry and became a true family.”

Communal colleague David Ereira, chair at JPR and life president of Norwood, said Nigel’s loss will be “felt deeply across our community and the property industry. He was a man of integrity, honesty, and openness – always generous with wise counsel and a trusted, respected colleague.

“I had the privilege of working with him across many collaborations at Langdon / Norwood, and most recently alongside him as a co-judge for the Jewish News 40 Under 40 Property Awards. The community and the property industry have lost a true friend and  inspirational leader – a selfless, honourable man who will be sorely missed.”