Lord Dearing Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - 10:06

Lord Dearing

The death of Lord Dearing on 19 February 2009 at the age of 78 means that adult learners have lost one of their most thoughtful and open-minded champions in Parliament.

A career public servant, Ron Dearing worked most notably in the Department of Trade and Industry before becoming the first person to chair the post office before chairing the Council of National Academic Awards.

This background gave him a reputation for integrity, good sense and being a ‘safe pair of hands'. These were the qualities which ensured that the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education, which he chaired between 1996 and 1997 met with a remarkable degree of cross-party consensus.

Lord Dearing developed a strong interest in education, especially for part-time mature students in HE, the financial arrangements for whom he came to regard as ‘unfinished business'.

Entering the House of Lords in 1998, Lord Dearing sat as a cross-bencher and his interventions were listened to with care by all political parties.

NIACE was able to benefit from his regular advice and support on a range of issues affecting adult learners.

A fuller appreciation of his contribution will follow in Adults Learning.

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