Lord Howe 1926-2015 CTSI vice-president, Lord Howe of Aberavon,the former Chancellor Sir Geoffrey Howe, died on 9 October 2015. Lord Howe had been a CTSI vice-president since 1994 and last year he formally endorsed the book, A History of the Trading Standards Institute. He retired from the House of Lords on 19 May 2015 under the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. During his political career he held several senior government posts, including chancellor of the exchequer, foreign secretary, leader of the house of commons and deputy prime minister. Described by Baroness Margaret Thatcher as quiet, gentle but deeply ambitious, his 1990 resignation speech is often cited as ending the former prime ministers political career. His rst relationship with our institute was when, as secretary of state for trade, he created The Ofce of Fair Trading and ensured trading standards and consumer protection issues were made a priority. He quickly followed that up by inviting the director general of fair trading to review the Trade Descriptions Act. Lord Howes support and admiration of trading standards ofcers continued, and he had regular contact with his local Greater London Branch CTSI regarding metrication issues. Ron Gainsford OBE, a CTSI vice-president and former chief executive, said: He was very pro-full-metrication and he taught me a lesson early in my tenure at the then Trading Standards Institute. I had wondered if the institute could remain neutral in the debate, mindful of how our friends at the pro-imperial British Weights and Measures Association were at a lively stage in their lobbying. Geoffrey soon taught me never to repeat such an error and I always resolved to ensure that the institute had a clear position and message on any topic. Mind you, it was the nicest of ticking offs. Geoffrey invited me to the House and we enjoyed a most agreeable series of conversations and a very pleasant lunch. Only when we parted and I reected on the past couple of hours did I realise Id clearly been made aware of the error of my ways. His quiet personality belied a very powerful and effective politician with a magnicent record. Weve lost a superb CTSI vice-president and a wonderful friend of, and counsel to, the institute and profession over these past four decades. Leon Livermore, current CTSI chief executive, said the institute had been privileged to receive his continued support over the years, by sponsoring high-prole meetings in the House and speaking of our professionalism and commitment to fair trading. We offer our sincere condolences to Lord Howes wife and family. Contributed by CTSI Published Tuesday 27 October, 2015 To share this page, click on in the toolbar