The Queen's College Record 2023

forum in College and was endlessly curious to discuss with Fellows the topics of
their research, taking real pride in their achievements. This helped to displace an
older tradition in which to talk of academic matters, or to care about the College’s
position in the exam-result league-table, was considered almost vulgar. Given his
interests in art, literature, music, and film, it is perhaps not surprising that he found
many allies amongst the Fellows in the arts and humanities, and in particular he
threw his weight and resources behind the Chapel Choir and Professor Rees, which
helped the Choir develop into the outstanding ensemble that it is today.
Obituaries
And of course he helped us financially, helping to craft a financial model which
has put the College on a strong and sustainable footing. He gently questioned the
College’s preference for investing far too much money in farms (shares are the only
game in town, he said), and in particular he wisely advised us not to fix a bank loan
at around 5% in 2008 when I think every other member of the Finance Committee
was inclined to do so. That was a good call. In the University, more widely, he played
influential and greatly respected roles in developing sensible systems of resource
allocation which still operate to this day. His stock amongst contemporary heads of
colleges was very high.
In all of this he was not only authoritative, unpretentious, decent, and kind, but also
very funny. He had a very sharp sense of humour which he largely kept to himself
and a small circle of trusted allies. After he retired we stayed in touch—he liked to
gossip (to use his word). He did not change. In one of our last conversations he told
me that many of his Old Member friends were complaining about the College to him
and asking what on earth was happening—this being the result of the drift towards
what I think is known as wokeness. Alan’s response to them was characteristically
sharp—”don’t ask me,” he said, “I was just the Provost there once”.
Well he might have just been the Provost here once, but he was a great and
inspiring one.
The College is vastly the richer for its association with him, and much the poorer for
his passing. We celebrate our extraordinary good fortune in having had him as our
Provost—and we miss him very much.
Andrew Timms, Bursar
College Record 2023 | The Queen’s College 99