Member obituaries

We would be honoured to commission obituaries for recently deceased members who have made significant contributions to environmental health. If you would like to recognise someone, please contact us at [email protected].

Obituaries should be no longer than 500 words and must include the individual’s full name, year of birth, and a focus on their work in environmental health, including any involvement with CIEH. Please also provide a high-quality photo, along with permission for its use.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept unsolicited obituaries, nor are we able to write them ourselves.

A lifelong champion of housing, regeneration and public health

We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Peter Archer CEnvH FCIEH. Peter was a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and a major influence on housing, regeneration and professional standards, whose commitment and energetic advocacy on behalf of the poorly and the poor has shaped the profession for more than five decades.

A lifetime of service to CIEH
Peter’s contribution to CIEH was deep and sustained. First elected to the General Council in 1979, he went on to represent the Western Centre from 1988, later chairing the Housing Committee and then the General Council itself. In recent years, he chaired the Professional Standards and Policy Committee, where his insight and integrity helped guide CIEH’s policy direction and professional voice.

He was elected to Fellowship in 1983, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the field, and for more than four decades he remained one of CIEH’s most respected and trusted figures.

National and international leadership
Peter’s influence extended well beyond the UK. Representing CIEH at the International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) from 2001, he played a central role in developing international collaboration on housing and health. He presented a paper on fuel poverty and affordable warmth at the IFEH Congress in San Diego in 2002 and, in 2004, was elected Chair of the European Group after helping to draft the memorandum and articles for the new European Federation of Environmental Health (EFEH). In this role, Peter worked to strengthen partnerships across Europe, particularly with colleagues in the ten new EU member states. His leadership aimed to build collaboration and open pathways to European funding, laying the groundwork for a more connected professional community.

As President of the IFEH (2016-2018), Peter continued to champion global cooperation on health and housing. During this period, he worked with Dr Jo Nurse at the Commonwealth Secretariat on the development of a systems framework for health policy — an “Implementation Tool for the Global Charter for the Public’s Health” — helping to translate high-level principles into practical guidance for public health professionals worldwide.

Peter qualified as an Environmental Health Officer in 1968, and from the outset his career was defined by energy, intellect and a deep commitment to public service. He spent over 30 years in local government, first with Croydon, then with West Bromwich; arriving in Birmingham in 1974 and later in Bristol, where he led pioneering work in urban renewal and community regeneration. Bristol colleagues recall his “doughnut diplomacy” – picking up a bag of doughnuts on route from home to Bristol to build rapport and win friends in meetings lubricated by strawberry jam!

Those who worked with Peter in Birmingham remember his early leadership and professionalism, qualities that would come to define the rest of his career. Colleagues recall his generosity, humour and sense of purpose - traits that made him both effective and widely liked. That sense of commitment carried through his entire professional life. Stephen Battersby PPCIEH CEnvH FCIEH, who worked closely with him in the early 1980s, remembers: “Peter’s commitment was demonstrated by him hosting a meeting at his own home to get a report completed. We were well looked after by his wife, Hilary, who was very tolerant of us working there until late so that the report could be completed and printed.” This pattern of hosting meetings at home, whether general or crucial, local or international, continued throughout his life.

Stephen also recalls teasing Peter that the Housing Conference he organised in Bristol was “a gathering of Peter’s friends” - a reflection of his vast network of contacts and his talent for bringing people together. Those events brought professionals from across the country together, providing invaluable learning and connection.

Care and Repair and other initiatives
Alongside his local government and CIEH contribution, Peter’s commitment animated him to develop initiatives and create clusters of concern across the wider environmental health landscape; working with colleagues across the UK and Europe to develop an outcomes framework for environmental health practitioners and focussing on social deprivation and health inequalities.

In 1986, he set up Care and Repair England, which he went on to chair for 20 years. In addition, he was a founder member of the Pro Housing Alliance and from 1989, a Director of Homeless International promoting citizen-led economic development and settlement improvement in Africa, India and Latin America.

Consultancy
In 1996, he established Regeneration and Housing Services, an independent consultancy whose clients included local authorities, housing associations, English Partnerships and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. From 2001, he acted as a consultant to the Audit Commission, carrying out more than twenty inspections of local authorities and housing associations.

Healthier Housing Partnership
In 2015, with Chris Watson, he founded the Academic and Practitioner Partnership for Healthier Housing (now the Healthier Housing Partnership), lobbying politicians, producing reports and famously campaigning on empty property, houses in multiple occupation, exempted accommodation and particularly, demanding councils undertake their statutory duties to inspect their districts to determine action on hazardous housing.

Peter’s energy and tenacity helped sustain the HHP, enabling it to celebrate its 10th Anniversary in April by running a hugely successful 3-day International Conference on the impact of climate change on health and housing. The report of the conference, organised in collaboration with the University of Birmingham, will be presented at COP 30 in Belem, Brazil, this November.

Community Involvement
Closer to home in Worcestershire, Peter’s sense of community never dimmed. A Queen’s Scout, he set up and ran the Stourport Methodist Cub and Scout Group for many years. He chaired the Audit Committee of the local Community Housing Group, chaired St. Peter’s Housing Association in Birmingham and chaired the governors of his local Church of England primary school.
Living in the Old Rectory, next door to a Grade 1 Norman church, it was inevitable that he became involved not only in its restoration but also in running a range of events, including an annual Art Exhibition, editing the Parish magazine and winding up the church clock twice a week!

A family tradition and lasting legacy
Public service clearly ran in Peter’s family. His father, Harold Archer, served as Chief Sanitary Inspector and later Chief Public Health Inspector at Southwark, and his cousin, also Peter Archer, became a QC, MP, Solicitor General and later Lord Archer of Sandwell, who served as a CIEH Vice President in the 1980s.

Peter’s legacy is one of leadership grounded in humility. He combined strategic vision with kindness, humour and an unwavering sense of fairness. Those who worked alongside him remember his capacity to listen, his instinct for mentoring and his ability to bring people together to get things done - whether completing a report in a living room late at night or building partnerships across Europe to strengthen environmental health practice.

Peter is survived by Hilary, his partner of more than 60 years, with whom he was able to celebrate their 57th wedding anniversary in hospital just days before he died.

He will be deeply missed by his daughters, Sally and Chloe, his son Toby, his eight grandchildren and wider family, his many friends and colleagues, and the environmental health community to which he devoted his life.

For those wishing to remember Peter, please share your memories, messages and photos on the Memorial Board.

Ray's contribution to Environmental Health, both in Ireland and internationally, was truly exceptional.

A Life Fellow of the EHAI, former Honorary Secretary of the International Federation for Environmental Health (IFEH), and a highly respected leader within our profession, Ray's vision and dedication have left an enduring legacy. During his tenure, he worked tirelessly to strengthen international collaboration and promote global environmental health. His pivotal role in bringing the IFEH World Congress to Dublin in 2006 - an event that united professionals from over 35 countries - stands as a testament to his commitment to advancing our field.

Holding 3 Master's degrees and with an avid interest in current national and international affairs, Ray was knowledgeable on a wide range of subjects. As IFEH secretary, his advice and support to the President and other office holders was offered with good humour, tact and diplomacy, and his many friends across the world recognise his massive contribution to international environmental health.

Ray combined outstanding expertise with a generosity of spirit. He shared his knowledge freely, always with warmth and humour, and had an extraordinary ability to connect with people. Beyond his professional achievements, Ray’s zest for life was evident to all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Norah, and his daughter Ruth. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know him.

Photo credit: Chris Bellew, Fennell Photography

Written by former CIEH member Peter Daley

Mike was born in Denton, Manchester, in 1943. He qualified in environmental health in 1965 after studying at Salford Royal College of Advanced Technology.

He first worked at Denton Urban District Council, but due to a love of rock climbing and fell walking, he moved to Cumbria, working at Penrith Rural District Council, Workington Borough Council and then Allerdale Borough Council, where he completed his 40 years of local government service.

At Allerdale Borough Council, he was Director of Housing and Environmental Health, later becoming Director of Community Services, and in 2004 he became acting Chief Executive. He was at the forefront of environmental health for much of his career, introducing Housing Action Areas in Allerdale and being involved in Operation Meathook, a nationwide drive to crack down on the sale of meat for human consumption from diseased animals following the BSE outbreak.

He was instrumental in setting up one of the first residential Advanced Food Hygiene courses and he developed the Environment Award in Allerdale to encourage local environmental improvements. He commissioned air monitoring of burning pyres during the foot and mouth outbreak. He also led the regeneration of Workington town centre.

He was awarded a Fellowship of the then Institute of Environmental Health Officers in 1984 and contributed a regular "Housing Today" column to our journal during this period. He was also active in our North-Western Centre and our governing Council.

Mike spoke about "lessons learned" from the foot and mouth epidemic at the CIEH annual conference in Bournemouth in 2001. He also served on several national advisory bodies on housing and regeneration. He was our representative on the Keep Britain Tidy group, latterly becoming its chairman.

In 2013, Mike received an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for service to the environment and communities. Mike was a special person and an inspiration to many. In his later years, he became unwell.

He leaves his widow, Denise and two children, Nick and Janeen. He will be missed.

Written by Jon Buttolph, Executive Director of Professional Standards, CIEH

I was very sad to hear of the recent death of John Freear. John had been a fixture of CIEH throughout my time here and I will miss him greatly.

He qualified as an EHO in 1965 and had racked up 42 years of employment in local authorities until his retirement in 2002. The last 13 of these years had been spent as Head of Environmental Health Services at South Kesteven District Council – a large rural authority in South Lincolnshire.

John spent well over a decade as a member of CIEH's Council (now known as the Board of Trustees) and was elected as its Chair for 2009. He took a very keen interest in mucking in to help with our qualification processes. Most of my work with him was in connection with our committees in this area, or as Treasurer of the Environmental Health Board.

This commitment also fed into his work with colleagues remembering his focus on training and development of trainees and students, including achieving the Investors in People award for the organisation. He was also President of the East Midlands Region and did a considerable amount of work regionally with conference organisation (his late wife Barbara did the buffet food and was also well known!).

I will miss John's attention to detail and kind nature. He'd often find at least one figure in the EHRB accounts that didn't quite add up, but always let me know about it with a jovial smile on his face. The writing pad I use every day is spare from the East Midlands conference in 2007 which he handed to me without ceremony in the office shortly afterwards.

With thanks to Christian Polzin MCIEH, Environmental Health Team Leader – Commercial, South Kesteven District Council.

Written by Past President Dr Stephen Battersby MBE CEnvH FCIEH FRSPH

David died on 11 April having been unwell for a number of years. He had established a global reputation in housing and health and was a pioneer for many in the profession. Colleagues have also called him the conscience of the profession. He was someone who was inspirational to me and many others who worked with him.

He qualified as a Public Health Inspector in1966 and awarded a Fellowship in 2007.

Most of David's career was outside local government. My first encounter with him was as a founder of the Public Health Advisory Service (PHAS) at Shelter, and a board member of the Shelter National Housing Aid Trust (SNHAT). His dissatisfaction with the Association of Public Health Inspectors, and reluctance to campaign for better protection of those living in poor housing had led David with others to establish the Public Health Inspectors London Action Group (PHILAG). He continued to be a critical friend of the CIEH until his death. I suspect he thought that as a Vice-President I could achieve more.

David gave expert evidence in many leading cases on housing and health, in particular how s.99 of the Public Health Act 1936 (now s.82 Environmental Protection Act 1990) could be used against landlords of properties (including councils) that were prejudicial to health. It was when I was Assistant Secretary of the CIEH in the 1980s that I started to work closely with him. His expertise on dampness was used to prepare the "Background Notes on Condensation" published by the CIEH in the early 1980s. This reflected concern that housing officers and some EHOs, without proper investigation, blamed tenants for the occurrence of condensation and mould - some things never change! Despite his health he submitted critical responses to DLUHC on Awaab's law and the Decent Home Standard and the review of the HHSRS as well articles for Legal Action. We were due to update our book on Dampness in Dwellings this year.

He took work seriously, but we also had some fun working at Warwick University Law School on studies for the Government into controls on minimum standards in housing (starting after changes to the fitness standard in 1989). He led on development of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS); an Approved Code of Practice for Management Standards in Multi-Occupied Buildings; and production of Housing Disrepair Legal Obligations: Good Practice Guide. The CIEH collaborated with David on the Warwick (Un)Healthy Housing conferences in the late 1980s.

The CIEH awarded him ‘Researcher of the Year’ in 2015 for a paper on thermal discomfort and health and protection of susceptible people.

With the Building Research Establishment, and using the HHSRS, he developed a methodology to assess the cost to the NHS of inadequate housing. He also advised the BRE on production of a Guide and an Assessment Protocol on Overheating in Dwellings.

He worked with WHO from 2006 (to which he was seconded for a while) and colleagues in the USA, France and New Zealand including an appointment by the NZ government to the Assessment Panel for the National Science Challenge on Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities and recently worked on the impact of poor housing on people’s health in Wales.

His death leaves a huge void professionally and personally and a legacy that will be hard to follow. I am proud to have had him as a friend and work with him all these years.

Photo credit: University of Warwick

Note from Jon Buttolph, Executive Director of Professional Standards: John has taken the unusual step of writing his own obituary which I am not sure is something I would encourage but certainly reflects his tenacity and commitment to good organisation! We are very grateful to Tina Bickerdike for supplying his text in accordance with his wishes and also for the photograph.

John Bickerdike, who died on May 20th, 2024, aged 91, was Principal Lecturer in Environmental Health at Leeds Beckett University and its antecedents from 1963 until 1992.

He was responsible for the introduction and development of the environmental health degree course and other associated courses in acoustics and health and safety. He was a member of the CIEH Education Committee and the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA) and the Education Committee of the Institute of Acoustics. On retirement he undertook consultancy on a wide range of acoustic projects.

He left school at age 14 but continued his education attending evening classes and obtained a HNC in building at Birmingham College of Technology during his national service. On leaving the army he obtained a place at Leeds Health Department as a trainee public health inspector. In 1963 he was appointed Lecturer in Public Health at Leeds College of Technology, which became Leeds Polytechnic and subsequently Leeds Beckett University.

He continued his education with an MSc and courses in acoustics at Salford University. He undertook a major study for the Department of the Environment into Noise Level and Attendance Patterns at Discotheques and produced a code of practise for the industry, which, unfortunately, was largely ignored, although some recommendations were followed.

During this period he was an active member of the CIEH Education Committee at a time when the profession was moving to degree level entry, and he represented educational standards on the Council for National Academic Awards when courses were upgrading from diploma to degree level.

During the last two years at Leeds Beckett he was given the task of managing the conversion of the faculty’s professional courses to the university’s modular format. He was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Acoustics and served on the Council and as Chairman of the Education Committee.

John played cricket in the Yorkshire Council but gave it up in his mid-twenties to take up golf, which he played until his mid-eighties. Only a modest player at both sports, he enjoyed the challenge and friendships. He was elected captain of Howley Hall Golf Club in 2001. He married twice, to Joyce in 1954, with whom he had two sons Ian and Graeme, and to Dorothy in 1971, who predeceased him.