A leader by design

He was a positive chairman, and the ideal man to deal with the radical options being debated within the society.

At that time I was secretary of the society, and chairman of the Scottish committee.

Rodney, as chairman, had amongst many other calls upon his time a great commitment to those members of the society living and working outwith  London.

When he was elected chairman, he made sure that he would visit all regions of the society, and the Scottish committee organised a lunch in Edinburgh for members to meet him.

Guests arrived, things were prepared, yet no sign of Rodney. A quick search found him in our sitting room watching the cricket on television with our eight-year-old daughter.

He made a point of attending major events in Scotland, and he was a great speaker, especially when he knew that students of design were in his audience.

He could be jolly direct, but this was tempered by his  concern and commitment to  the society’s role in developing and maintaining the highest standards of design wherever he could.

His dedication and work for the Chartered Society of Designers at a time of change and development, both nationally and in Scotland should not go unrecognised.

David Gerrard

Spylaw Park

Edinburgh