Tributes have poured in for the former head of the civil service Lord Bob Kerslake, who died on Saturday 1 July, aged 68.
Lord Kerslake started his career in local government with the Greater London Council and went on to become permanent security for the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) in 2010 and head of the civil service from January 2012 to September 2014.
During a glittering public sector career, he was also chief executive of the Homes and Communities Agency (now Homes England), chief executive of Sheffield City Council and chief executive of the London Borough of Hounslow.
Lord Kerslake also served as an adviser to the mayor of London, chair of the Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation and chair of Peabody housing association.
Liz Peace CBE, advisor on property, politics and the built environment, said: “What always struck me about Bob, whether it was as CEO of the Homes and Communities Agency, as a permanent secretary, as chair of Peabody or as an adviser to the mayor of London, was his total pragmatism and good sound common sense. No fancy theories, no inflated sense of his own importance – just a refreshingly straightforward – but very clever – individual. He will be much missed.”
Chairman of Soho Estates and former Conservative MP Steve Norris added: “What was unusual was that he was plucked from relative obscurity in Sheffield by David Cameron though clearly not a Conservative, and he was frequently critical of the government, making no secret of his Labour sympathies. He was known as a kind, softly spoken man and, in the few meetings I had with him, was always perfectly friendly, but it was very unusual for such a senior mandarin to be so open in his political views.”
Keith Griffiths, chief executive and founder of UKREiiF, which Lord Kerslake chaired the advisory board of, said: “The whole of the UKREiiF team are incredibly sad to hear about the passing of Lord Robert Kerslake. A man with a hugely distinguished career, whowill forever leave a legacy, and a vocal advocate for equality and prosperity, who was well liked and respected by people of all political colours. He will be missed by us and many others.”
A spokesperson for Be First, the urban regeneration arm of Barking & Dagenham Council, which Lord Kerslake has chaired since its creation in 2017, said: “We are very sad to hear that Be First Chair, Lord Bob Kerslake, died on Saturday 1 July. Despite his recent illness, he continued to offer guidance and support to Barking & Dagenham Council and the Be First team.
“Bob was a hugely respected public figure who lived and extolled the best in public service values. We mourn his loss, and we send our heartfelt condolences to all his family and loved ones.”
Ceri Richards and Geoff Raw, board members of Be First, added: “Those of us who have worked with Bob over the years have lost a great friend and trusted colleague and we are deeply sad at his death. He brought tremendous energy, acumen and commitment to his work in transforming Barking & Dagenham and the best way we can celebrate his life and honour his contribution is to deliver on that ambition.”
Lord Kerslake is survived by his wife Anne, their son Michael and daughter Eleanor.
