Yahoo Finance Gareth Jones obituary
My uncle, Gareth Jones, has died aged 69 in a seaside accident at Hove, East Sussex, while walking his dog Connie. He had gone out to buy the best fish in town for his family and was hoping to be back in time to catch the rest of the Brighton football game on TV. It is believed that he was swept away while trying to rescue Connie from the sea.
Beyond his family, his life touched many other people’s, from those in his local pub, to colleagues in boardrooms, students he had mentored, and his friends at football.
Gareth’s professional achievements were exceptional: from the early days in the 1980s as a lecturer in economic and social studies at the University of East Anglia, where he met Shirley Neal, whom he married in 1989, to senior roles at Polygram and the BBC, and professorships at the Madrid and London Business Schools. He published several books including the popular Why Should Anyone Be Led By You?, co-authored with Rob Goffee, his friend and business partner.
But, in his stellar career, what made him stand out was not only what he achieved but the manner in which he did it. He always preferred a pint and watching Spurs (he was a season-ticket holder) to any corporate event. He was never one of “them”, but always one of us.
Born in Cardiff to Leslie Jones, a local government officer, and Gwen (nee Lloyd), a housewife active in the Labour party, Gareth was a proud Welshman. He enjoyed a happy childhood with his older sister, Glen, and was educated at Canton high, and the universities of Swansea and, for his doctorate, Kent, where he met Rob.
The last time I spoke to Gareth, he was full of life. Our conversation ranged from the political to the personal. He was proud of his son, Robbie, for his enthusiasm for the Labour party; delighted to be grandfather to his eldest daughter Rhian’s two sons; and excited for his younger daughter, Gemma, who was embarking on a new job.
Gareth Jones was a unique blend of Cardiff boy, socialist, Spurs fan, anti-racist, globetrotter and home lover.
He is survived by Shirley, their three children, and their grandchildren, Bodhi and Lenny.
