I have only just learned today of Gareth's death. I am so shocked. I was trying to reach him to talk about his time as Head of Personnel for the Prison Service. I appreciate the memories here of his time with the Opticians' Council but many others will remember him from Civil service days and further back his stint at the British Railways Board where he became a great and faithful friend in trying times. Gareth was fun, a cautious man who nonetheless was prepared to take risks, who shared his mistakes and  was always engaged in moving forward. He saw the big picture but could interest himself in the detail too. We had some wild lunches ,drank too much, laughed a lot but then Gareth got on with the work. Always warm, always interested in people, in my experience he never hid behind excuses or blamed others. I loved being in his company.     

Gillian Ashmore

Friend and colleague