Tribute to Ken Dixon
Posted on 15 February 2022
He joined the Council, following in the footsteps of several distinguished Rowntree leaders, in 1983. He chaired Council from 1990 to 2001.He soon became a master of the refined art of meticulously managing the Chair’s responsibilities.
Quietly, and without fuss, he ensured a focus on strategy, succession planning, financial stability and probity, the recognition and the control of risk, and good governance. He created a fine Council of extraordinary skills and experience. All these are important matters generally below the academic radar.
We soon appreciated his many enduring qualities: his vision, pragmatism and clarity of thought; his modesty and humility; his altruism and integrity; his professionalism, humour and informality; his good sense and sensibility; his unflappability and kindness; his generosity and support. Always positive; always listening.
Ken always argued the importance of keeping an ultimate destination in mind. He likened the University’s development to a sea voyage from Liverpool to Peru: “We know where we are going, but the route isn’t fixed”. He stressed the importance of size, collegiality and community as contexts for nimble, quick adaptation to changing circumstances. As he once said: “We have to live by our wits, keep open to ideas, and collaborate where we can; and where we can’t, go it alone”. How wise.
Ken always insisted he would never intervene in academic matters, but he unfailingly supported the senior management group and our Chancellor, Dame Janet Baker. And he kept a close eye on efforts to improve departments, students’ experience, and teaching and research.
As a senior businessman he had the rare ability to chat on equal terms with academic colleagues through a genuine selfless interest in their work and aspirations. Indeed, a thoughtful, scholarly and cultured businessman with an outstanding knowledge of literature, economics and the Arts. Steadfastly supported throughout by his wife Pat, he was always to be seen at concerts, drama productions, graduation ceremonies, building openings, receptions and much more.
He played a crucial role in successfully establishing the Science Park, the foundation of drama, the social sciences, the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP), and the Hull York Medical School. As one of the University’s leading benefactors, he sponsored the Ken Dixon Professor of Drama, The (first) Dixon Drama Studio, The Ken Dixon Lecture in Economics and, not least, he encouraged other benefactors.
Berrick Saul and I both benefitted hugely from his help, support and advice, his ability to keep the University focused on what really mattered, to sustain our self-confidence in difficult times in order to take risks and decisions to build the institution. To him and to us there was a bond of trust that leads to the fertile exchange of ideas. Not for him, “No!” or, “ I wouldn’t do that!” or, “Definitely not!" It was more a matter of the endearing and disarming, “Have another After Eight and let’s talk it through; there might be another way at looking at it”.
The University nourished his interest in Higher Education, initially through his help in implementing the Jarrett Report that required great university accountability. This led him to a highly successful ambassadorial role through his membership of the Council for Industry in Higher Education, and his chairing the Audit Division of the HE Quality Council, the Visiting Committee of the Open University, and the Committee of University Chairmen.
He once told me that, after his business career, his University of York years were some of the happiest of his life. This happiness spread to all those who worked with him. Many of us, including my wife Barbara and Janet Baker, regard Ken and Pat as close friends, and we shall all greatly miss him and his wise counsel. He gave unstinting service to others and brought a sense of quality and meaning to us all. We shall not forget him. And our thoughts now are also with Pat, who always has supported the University with her interest in its affairs and her involvement in its activities.
Ron Cooke, February 2022