Lord Kerslake served as LGA President for six years (2015-2021)
As we gather in Bournemouth for LGA Conference 2023, we pay tribute to Lord Kerslake – known to most of us simply as Bob – a true public servant and adviser, mentor and friend to many in local and national government.
Lord Kerslake served as LGA President for six years (2015-2021), using his profound knowledge and first-hand experience of working in both councils and Whitehall to champion local government in his parliamentary work and well beyond. His commitment to improving our country through its cities, towns and villages – and ultimately enhancing the lives of very many people – will always be remembered. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
Mark Lloyd CBE
Chief Executive, LGA
Lord Kerslake’s family have asked that if you would like to make a donation in his name, a donation to St Mungo’s would be much appreciated.
Tributes
Colin Stuart - Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
I had the privilege of working with Lord Kerslake when he was Chief Executive of the London Borough of Hounslow between 1990 and 1997. I was a middle tier manager at the time and was greatly appreciative of the efforts he made to modernise the thinking of the council, instituting progressive staff training programmes and driving the equality agenda within a diverse workforce. He was particularly keen on empowering staff and insisted that people were measured by their contribution rather than their place in the hierarchy. I benefited greatly from his influence and encouragement to stretch myself as a local authority manager. I was and remain extremely appreciative of him. My heartfelt condolences to his family.
Cllr Mark Hunter - Leader, Stockport MBC
Here in Stockport, Bob’s chairing of our Mayoral Development Corporation was exemplary. With a contacts book second to none, Bob was a high profile and powerful ambassador for the transformation of our town centre and our ambitious regeneration programme. Scrupulously fair, objective and always far-sighted, he made a massive difference and leaves a lasting legacy for us all. We will miss him terribly.
Sarah Pickup - LGA
Bob was a great example of a dedicated public servant reaching the most senior levels in local and then central government and playing a role across a wide range of organisations and subjects. He was receptive to the views of others and always willing listen and to advise. He will be missed by so many.
Dame Stella Manzie - Chair University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire
I first met Bob when he was CX in Sheffield and I was CX of Coventry - we travelled in a car from Warwick University of which he was an alumnus, to Coventry station and he told me of his time at Warwick and his perceptions of Coventry in that era. At a meeting of Permanent Secretaries and LG CXs in Sheffield he shepherded us all to a local jazz club for late night networking. All above board and but illustrating his hinterland and love of his local « beat « Our paths crossed much later when Bob was in the Civil Service and I was appointed as full time Commissioner Managing Director of Rotherham working with Derek Myers and Mary Ney. Bob’s low key style housed a great drive to improve places and opportunities for people. He truly had impact and was someone I greatly respected. Deep condolences to Bob’s family - he will be greatly missed - not least on the Today programme where his sound analysis momentarily stopped me shouting at the radio…..
Laura Church - Bedford Borough Council
An inspiring figure. Always willing to give advice and support places.
David Dale - Formerly Sheffield City Council
My condolences to Bob’s family and friends. I worked with Bob for his first three years at Sheffield City Council. He was an inspirational leader who transformed the organisation by setting and expecting the highest standards of thinking, integrity, and commitment. He remains for me the most impressive public servant I have had the privilege of knowing during my 40 years in local government. It is rare to find someone who achieves so much but remains a decent, sympathetic, and dedicated person. A beacon of high standards in public life that will be missed in these difficult times.
Tom Riordan - Leeds City Council
Bob was the ultimate public servant. He was kind, thoughtful and always interested in you. I first worked with Bob when he was at Sheffield and I was at Yorkshire Forward, when he drove the regeneration of the city centre and pioneered work with the Core Cities on driving economic growth across the UK. I last worked with him when he was helping improve partnership working in West Yorkshire and promoting the new UKREiF conference, as well as doing countless other things. He was relentless in his service to the public and he will be hugely missed. Sincere condolences and love to his family from all of us at Leeds.
Shigeru Naiki - Professor at Teikyo University of Japan and former Director General of Local Government Center London
Bob is very kind to teach us UK local authorities . He has lots of knowledge of Japan and promoted mutual understanding between local authorities of UK and Japan. I am very sad and I would like to pay my sincere condolence from Japan.
Cllr Ruth Dombey - London Borough of Sutton
It was a real privilege to work alongside Bob over many years. He had amassed a wealth of knowledge during his long career and was a passionate champion of local government and the positive impact it has on people's lives. He understood the importance of local accountability and wanted more freedom for local communities and local councils to shape and develop the areas where they live. But above all I remember his kindness and his patience, the calm way he tackled difficult issues and the way he truly listened to others. We will all miss him terribly and remember him with affection and deep respect.
Margaret Willcox - Retired but currently working with the LGA. Ex ADASS President in Bob's time as LGA President.
Bob was a wonderful man. Inspirational. I was always full of admiration of him. My condolences and best wishes go to his family and friends.
Iain Roxburgh - Former Deputy Secretary, AMA, Chief Executive, Coventry CC and Chair, NLGN
Bob will be sadly missed as a calm voice of sanity, integrity and common sense in recent years when all three of these have been in short supply in government. His contribution to local government was huge and so was his dedication to improving social housing. His loss to public life is tragic. My thoughts and condolences to his family.
Averil Price - Avie Consultancy
Sincere condolences to Sir Bob’s family and close friends. He was a legend and role model to people like me developing our local government careers. Always generous with his time and advice. He will be sorely missed.
Stephen Jones - Core Cities UK
Bob was a real supporter of Core Cities UK and the loss will be felt by many of us. I had the privilege of working for and with Bob over a number of years. I remember from my first meetings with him when he was in charge of the Homes and Communities Agency how he exuded warmth and wisdom. Through our interactions in his time leading the Civil Service, particularly during the Coalition period, I was a direct beneficiary of this, being inspired by his leadership. In his elevation to the House of Lords, he continued his commitment to public service and I welcomed the chance to discuss the work he was championing, whether on the Civic Universities Commission or on UK 2070. Bob was a great advocate of our cities, particularly Sheffield, and his commitment to devolution and a respect for local government has been instrumental in the progress that has been made in the last decade. Bob was also a firm believer in the civil service values - honesty, integrity, impartiality and objectivity - vocally defending them when they came under attack and willing to admit when the civil service fell short of where it needed to be. We and many others in the urban policy community will miss Bob greatly. However, when we launch our UK Urban Futures Commission with the RSA in September, fittingly in Sheffield, we will do so standing on the shoulder of a giant. Rest in peace SBK.
Michael Reardon - Retired former LG Director and senior civil servant
Bob was a courteous, thoughtful and always welcoming colleague . Soft spoken but with an edge to his thinking. In times like these, he will be missed.
Ron Barrowclough - Formerly Sheffield City Council
I had the great privilege of working with Bob for several years at Sheffield City Council. He was an extraordinary talent and tireless worker dedicted to improving people's lives. He made an enormous contribution to the City of Sheffield and to local government. He was an absolutely outstanding public servant and a fine, fine man. His passing is a huge loss and my thoughts go out to his family.
Ruth Bourne - Total HR limited and Sheffield Theatres
A true and genuine man, who led gently and with conviction. His wise counsel helped shaped our city and our theatre. I will miss your dry humour and wisdom, Bob. May you rest now.
Andrew Muter - Darlingburn Ltd
I offer my sincere condolences to Sir Bob’s family and friends. We have lost a great man who demonstrated wisdom, empathy and integrity in his approach and who was a steadfast but not uncritical friend to the local government sector. I appreciated his speaking contributions at events and he was always approachable and engaging in conversation. We must hold onto the wisdom he brought to an increasingly difficult world.
Dennis Skinner - LGA
One of the great figures of local government. Quietly spoken but I always listened intently to his every word. He was a fantastic public servant and his family should be very proud of what he achieved. I first came across him when he was chief executive of Hounslow and then more recently during his time as LGA President but also as Chair of the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny. He will be missed.