Tony Pender (1961)

My father considered himself a very fortunate man, regularly expressing his gratitude for having lived in the time he did, and to have had the experiences he had.  From relatively humble roots in Cardiff I believe he considered his time at Cambridge to have broadened his horizons.  During his Cambridge years he will perhaps be best remembered for his contribution on the sports field.   He gained his Blue for rugby alongside names such as Mike Gibson, and Dick Greenwood, and was particularly proud of the accomplishments of the Queens College Boat Club.  However, he was equally grateful for his exposure to music, crediting his college mate, and fellow rugby Blue, Geoff Frankcom, for introducing him to classical music and singing.

His rugby achievements continued after Cambridge, playing in fantastic sides for Cardiff and London Welsh, with greats such Gareth Edwards, Barry John and JPR Williams, falling just short of an international cap for Wales in a hallowed era.

If there was a recurring theme with my father it was a sense of “civic mindedness”; he was not a particularly political man, nor was he religious, but he did firmly believe in society, and in playing a positive role to make it better.  His significant and meaningful career stands testament to that. 

Rising quickly, the most significant job of his career was 15 years spent as the Chief Executive of English Estates, a government funded agency tasked with delivering economic regeneration where he oversaw the expansion of its role to encompass not only commercial property development but the regeneration of towns and cities, the development of science parks and the management of strategic projects such as the redevelopment of the Royal Naval Dockyards at Chatham, gaining a CBE in recognition of his services.  In the North East he also found home.

After English Estates he took on a host of roles across a range of organisations and initiatives, with many stemming from the role English Estates had taken in sponsoring arts and culture.  Perhaps his proudest achievement however was as the guiding hand in the creation of The Glasshouse International Centre for Music (formerly Sage Gateshead), being present from the conception of the idea to being appointed as the founding Chairman.  An exemplar piece of regeneration, a home for the Northern Sinfonia, an internationally acclaimed centre of excellence for music, and a significant contributor to the fabric of North East life, the building and the institution behind it embodies all that he stood for.

He took a lot of joy from being able to spend the latter years of his life in the beautiful Northumbrian countryside where he continued to try to support organisations and initiatives in the surrounding community of Corsenside.  In his time he was a keen fisherman, a persistent but moderate cook, and never shy to turn down a pint of beer or a glass of wine, particularly if it came with good conversation.

He will be deeply missed by my mum, Anne, sister, Kathryn, and I.

Obituary supplied by Tony's son, Richard Pender.