Gerald Vinten 1948 - 2008

BAC is very sad to announce the death of its Chief Inspector, Professor Gerald Vinten, after finally losing a bravely-fought battle with cancer. Gerald came to the Council on a full-time basis in January 2007, having previously served as Professor both of Management at the Southampton Business School and of Business Policy at the University of Luton, and had been a Reporting Inspector for the BAC for a number of years. He also had a wealth of other interests. A genuine spiritual seeker, he belonged to the South Place Ethical Society, perhaps the oldest humanist group in London, felt strongly drawn to Catholicism, and maintained an interest in Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam. He also had an impressive knowledge of poetry and classical music, and was moreover, a prolific writer, with an output ranging from learned articles to poetry. He was no respecter of fraud, dishonesty and illegality, and not only wrote extensively about these matters but personally challenged many who seemed to exemplify such negative qualities.

His service to the intellectual life of the capital was impressive, and he served as Chairman of the London branch of the RSA and as a fellow of many bodies, including the Royal Society for the Promotion of Public Health and of CIPFA.

Gerald leaves a widow, Ock, four stepchildren and six step-grandchildren. A remembrance service will be held in the Autumn.