Geoff Lockwood, a former Registrar and Secretary of the University of Sussex, has died. Geoff was one of the founding fathers of the University of Sussex, holding senior posts throughout his time here before becoming the institution’s senior administrative officer with a substantial national and international reputation.
I first came across Geoff in 1985 when he came to Sheffield to deliver a staff development seminar on the newly-published Jarratt Report. Jarratt, at the time, was a watershed in the management of universities. Serving as one of a committee of 12, Geoff, the sole professional university administrator, had been chosen for his widely acknowledged contribution to growing Sussex from small beginnings to a large, modern, thriving University. He had written a book on university planning and was a much sought-after speaker.
Geoff came to Sussex in 1961 and, in 1973, succeeded Ted Shields as University Registrar and Secretary, a post he held with distinction until his retirement in 1996. That same year he also received an honorary degree from the University.
During his time at Sussex, he worked with the first five Vice-Chancellors of the University and the first three Chancellors. He was a well-known figure across higher education in the UK and abroad. Geoff wasdevoted to his staff many of whom went on to hold senior posts in universities across the country. Geoff hosted a lunch for them during the 50th Anniversary Home Coming weekend, one of the highlights of a great occasion.
After Sussex, Geoff was heavily involved with the West Pier and the Blatchington Court Trust. He was an excellent sportsman still turning up regularly on the squash court well in to his 70s.
Geoff was a great family man, and he was always quick to acknowledge the key role which his wife Helena played in building a close community in the early days of the University. He was immensely proud of his children and his grandchildren.
I last saw Geoff in July this year. We went to the pub in Lewes, had a pint of Harvey’s, a pipe for Geoff, and more brilliant stories of Sussex, which he loved. Irreplaceable.
Author: John Duffy, former University of Sussex Registrar