Graham Jones (1944-2023)

I congratulate Graham on the considerable achievements of his academic career. We had so much in common - both educated in good city grammar schools, both studied at Fitzwilliam, both read Economics, both went on to teach economics at fine schools and to examine the subject at A level, and we both became headmasters. Graham won a scholarship from Birkenhead School and was rightly proud of his First at Fitzwilliam 1966.

We first met over 50 years ago at a course run by the Economics Association, when I was chairman. He was a fine teacher of economics and head of department, and on this wrote valued journal articles. He was a valued contributor to the debates on curriculum reform.

Graham joined my team of examiners before he became an Awarder (chief examiner) himself. The Oxford & Cambridge and the JMB (Reviser) Boards have good reason to be grateful for his outstanding service (1981-2001). He was generous in giving time to the chores of examining, even though he had the responsibility of running a house and department at Charterhouse. He had a good feel for what examiners should achieve, maintaining standards sympathetically. In a very good team of Awarders  Graham not only covered his own paper (Economic History) but gave excellent advice on other papers. The Award was hard work but a lot of fun. I remember O & C saying we don't pay as well as other Boards but you can enjoy bed and board for a week at an Oxbridge College, and you can eat your fill - for some the port and Stilton were highlights.

Graham was always great company on these occasions and when he invited me to Charterhouse to dine at Brooke Hall. Colleagues told me that he was a very good housemaster and a good friend of the headmaster, Brian Rees.

Graham was well known for his interest in the arts and for his high intelligence. He coupled this with good common sense and an ability to get on with people. A visit to Repton to enjoy a Tableau Vivant - a new art form to me – was particularly memorable. Headmastering at Repton was the peak of his fine career as a schoolmaster. Apart from running a fine school at Repton (1987-2003),  he played his part in HMC when I was General Secretary.

We shared happy times with Graham and Vanessa at HMC events, and on occasions after we had retired, when we found ourselves together on Ocean Cruises.