Secretariat
Obituary: Vicky Statler
As, sadly, many colleagues will already know, Vicky Statler, former Head of Corporate Services in Estates, died on 24 November 2008.
Vicky, who was a graduate of the Open University and a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, was appointed to the General Services Section of Estates in 1990, becoming Assistant Director in the following year and later Head of Corporate Services. Her remit was a wide one, embracing both the management and development of the constituent elements of her own section and the provision of general management support to other sections and to the Director of Estates. Vicky contributed significantly to the evolution of areas including health and safety, information technology, environmental services, procurement, and staff training and development. She co-ordinated, and in many instances was the author of, the corporate publications produced by Estates, and also co-ordinated the part played by Estates in major corporate functions including the Installation of Lord Bragg as Chancellor, Degree Ceremonies, and the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition.
Vicky was a highly accomplished and dedicated manager, with the skills, unquenchable enthusiasm and capacity successfully to undertake a complex and extensive portfolio. Extremely loyal and supportive, and fun to work with, she was very much a team-player who fostered a team-working culture. Vickys prowess, including her sure grasp of technical matters, assured her of the respect of her peers. This quality went hand-in-hand with a keen interest in the welfare and development of her colleagues. Not only was she a staunch prop to those experiencing problems, Vicky also believed passionately in the right of each individual to progress and develop to the full extent of their abilities. Unsurprisingly, therefore, Vicky was an early and strong advocate of the Return to Learn and Learning for Life training initiatives, of which many staff in Estates have been beneficiaries. With her commitment to the value of staff training and development, she worked tirelessly with other colleagues to help position Estates for a successful bid for Investors in People accreditation.
Vickys zestful enthusiasm extended into her private life. She believed that life should be lived to the full, enjoyed the company of her many friends and loved travelling to new destinations. She was a keen, if sometimes unconventional, artist, whose work attracted favourable comment from seasoned practitioners; a small sketch-pad to capture scenes that appealed to her was a constant companion. She had largely completed a BA in fine art at Leeds College of Art through part-time study.
Sadly, Vicky was afflicted by serious ill-health whilst still at the height of her powers, and, after a protracted absence, she took early retirement from her post in 2005.
Vicky is survived by her partner, and her mother.
The funeral ceremony will take place at Skipton Crematorium, on Wednesday, December 3rd at 11.00am, followed by burial in Tarn Moor Woodland Burial Site, Skipton. There are to be family flowers only, please, but donations may be given for Wheatfields Hospice; a plate will be available at the service.
In Vickys memory, the flag will be flown at half-mast on the Parkinson Building on Wednesday.
Published: 1 December 2008