Roger Gair

Presentation address by Professor Simone Buitendijk:

“Many exceptional individuals have served this University since its foundation in 1904, but few have been more committed to its staff and students than Roger Gair.

University Secretary from 2001 until his retirement last year, Roger provided wise counsel to four successive Vice-Chancellors – including myself – while upholding the highest standards of governance and tirelessly championing the interests of our students and staff through tumultuous changes in British higher education.

When Roger joined the University in 1980, it had around 11,000 students and 5,000 staff. Today, the University is an international, ambitious institution of more than 39,000 students and 9,200 staff from more than 100 countries. A giant of UK higher education, Leeds has successfully maintained excellence in research and education, and its place at the heart of the city.

The part Roger has played in this success should not be understated. An exceptionally capable individual, his role encompassed legal, compliance, governance, communications and risk management. In practice, there were few corners of campus where he was not involved. At heart a public servant, he personified our values of collaboration, compassion, integrity and inclusivity. His belief in the principle of collegiality was, and remains, absolute.

Born in the North East, Roger’s formative years were spent on the Wirral before he secured a place at the University of Oxford in 1973. After spells in accountancy and working at the University of York, Roger joined Leeds’s Registry as an administrative assistant in 1980.

His talents were soon spotted, and his skills honed in ever more complex and responsible roles. He was appointed as Head of Secretariat in 1994, and his elevation to Deputy Secretary in 1998 coincided with the Government’s introduction of tuition fees, which opened the sector to market forces.

Appointed University Secretary in 2001, Roger focused on facilitating effective working relationships between academic and professional services staff. He marshalled and coordinated the University’s governance supremely well, acting as the key contact between the governing body, the Council, and the Executive.

An exceptionally hard-working individual, Roger brought a formidable skill set including a sharp intellect, superb decision-making and a forensic attention to detail. His ability to reach a considered position on difficult issues, often in challenging circumstances, helped the University to sidestep more pitfalls than he probably cares to remember. Upon retirement, Roger was the longest-serving Secretary of a Russell Group university and remains widely admired by his peers, and his colleagues.

James Roger Gair: by virtue of the authority vested in me, I admit you to the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.”