Obituary - Wendy Surridge

Dr Rodney Eastwood pays tribute to one of the founding members of the College’s planning department Wendy Surridge, who died of cancer on 1 July 2012.

Wendy Surridge, who died of cancer on 1 July, was one of the founding members of the College’s planning department. Dr Rodney Eastwood, the President & Rector’s Envoy, pays tribute:

“Wendy was an admirable colleague and friend to many. She brought common sense and warmth to many an occasion. 

Wendy joined the Planning Unit from Surrey County Council in April 1986 to provide statistical expertise. At a time when data about the College was not employed to inform many decisions and performance indicators were unknown, she and Barry Gooch, her manager, began to organise and publish a wide range of statistical information in a series which continues to this day. Wendy became the source of information for a variety of queries from across the College. Data interpretation was only one of her strengths and after being promoted to Planning Officer in October 1990, she was appointed as Deputy Secretary of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) in September 1992, becoming its Secretary in 1996. She maintained links with Imperial by commissioning finance, HR and student computing services from the College for LSHTM.

At LSHTM she was responsible for overseeing the expansion of its estate in Keppel Street and the purchase of property in Tavistock Place. She served as chair of the London Universities Purchasing Consortium from 2008–11 and was active in the University of London’s Bloomsbury group of colleges. Wendy is survived by her husband.”