Univ Record 2017

RICHARD PYE
College Surveyor 1996-2017
Richard was an outstanding College Surveyor and a great presence in the College.
He joined Univ from the Ministry of Defence/Thames Valley Police in 1996,
bringing levels of professional discipline and planning that were (and perhaps still are)
rare in the Works Department of an Oxford college. Over a 20-year period of sustained
effort he raised the standard of the College buildings from the rather tatty to a level
that few colleges can match. Univ achieves a very high standard of compliance with
the numerous building laws and has no backlog of deferred maintenance. Our 60-70
Main Site structures are in good shape and we have progressed thanks to Richard’s
steady collection of surveys from the days when an experienced member of the Works
Department had to be on hand to guide anyone brought in to do work, to a full set of
surveys, documenting our buildings. He introduced systematic medium-term planning
to an institution that was used to works being initiated by seeking a note in the little
black book of the Clerk of Works.
Richard was a very visible presence in College, always smartly dressed with a
handkerchief in his breast pocket, engaging in a friendly and constructive way with
the full range of College people. He received and deserved widespread respect for his
professionalism and willingness to make any adjustments he could, to fit in the needs
of others. He knew how to keep work moving despite the challenges our historic fabric
might through up, and was undaunted by the intensity of the last phase of a project when
students are about to return. There is never quite enough premises down time for the
Works Department.
He carried large responsibilities
successfully and with style. Truly the
monument to his work, like that of Wren
at St Paul’s, is what you see around you.
Frank Marshall
Academic Results,
Awards and
Achievements
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