Obituary: Derrik Hender

2 Oct 09
Derrik Hender, who has died aged 83, had a distinguished career in local government finance and as a chief executive

Derrik Hender, who has died aged 83, had a distinguished career in local government finance and as a chief executive.

He began work at Yarmouth Borough Council but was working at Norfolk County Council when he became a gold medallist. This drew him to the attention of Dr Hedley Marshall, who recruited him to his team at Coventry.

After spells at Luton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, and Wolverhampton, he returned to Coventry as city treasurer to succeed Marshall in 1964.

Derrik became Coventry’s first chief executive in 1969.  He moved from there to create West Midlands County Council in 1973 as its first and only chief executive, overseeing its demise in 1986. He was made a CBE.

He also created the first Local Government Management Game, which ran from 1974 to 2001.

Derrik was a dynamic man of exceptional ability and integrity. He set high and demanding standards so that his staff and colleagues always experienced an invigorating working environment.

He frequently exhibited a very lively sense of humour and was fiercely loyal to his staff, for whom he was always ready to offer encouragement, assistance and advice.

In all Derrik did he had a sense of history, purpose and timing; resolving only to do that which was in the interests of local government.

Peter Cordle, Frank Birch and Ken Rose

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