St Edward's Rhubarb - 2018

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47 ST EDWARD’S r hubarb
O B I T U A R I E S
and taking innovative steps. As
an example, he opened the first
Lloyds insurance agency overseas
with his office in Singapore. He
loved to travel, ski and spend
time with his three dogs.
He passed away in London
on April 20th 2016 after being
diagnosed with Myelofibrosis.
He is missed by many colleagues
and close friends, but also by his
family Elizabeth, Laura, Rupert
and Hugh.
WEBBER – On 21st May 2017,
Patrick John Kenneth Webber
(D, 1958-1962).
The following obituary was
published by The Royal Institute
of Navigation:
Paddy joined the RAF as a
navigator in 1965 and flew over
2,000 hours on the Canberra.
In 1969 he joined Britannia
Airways at Luton as Assistant
to Chief Navigator and soon
found himself preparing all the
necessary manuals for their
newly-purchased B707-300
aircraft. Ten years later he was
involved in their decision to
purchase the B767-200, and he
produced, edited and published
the take-off performance
manual; he also designed the
airline’s in-house flight planning
system. By 1986, he had become
Britannia’s Manager of Navigation
Services, covering all aspects
of performance and instructing
pilots converting to the B-767. He
became a leading representative
for the International Air Carriers
Association (IACA) at ICAO
and was deeply involved in the
regulation of North Atlantic
route organisation, especially
the extended diversion range
permitted for twin-engined
aircraft (ETOPS). In 1998
he moved on to become
Performance Manager with
Ryanair at Stansted, overseeing
performance data, training pilots,
approving airports and providing
airfield briefs. In 2003, he and his
wife set up their own company,
Webber Aviation Consultants,
auditing around 250 airports for
Ryanair and continuing to provide
expertise until retirement in
2015.
Paddy joined the Royal
Institute of Navigation in January
1989 and became a Fellow 10
years later. He was a member of
the Anglian Branch and Civil &
Military Air SIG.
WILSON – On 27th February
2018, Michael Sumner Wilson
(F, 1957-1962), aged 74.
Beloved partner to Sophie,
father to Panda, stepfather to
Rory and grandfather to Emily,
Bella and Alfie. The following
is adapted from The Times, the
School Archive and Mike’s book
How to be Chief Executive of
your Own Life (see page 21):
Mike Wilson may have been
the chief executive of a top-
ranking financial advisory group,
but he did not conform to the
investment manager stereotype.
With a shy smile, Wilson would
greet each of his financial advisers
by name, even when their
numbers ran into hundreds. He
remembered the names of their
partners, and even their personal
interests. “People perform best
when they feel respected, valued,
cared for and appreciated,”
Wilson said. “Certainly,” he
reflected, “I performed best when
people treated me that way.”
Quite who encouraged
Wilson to aspire beyond his first
job, delivering loaves of bread,
is unknown. His quiet charisma
certainly helped. Playing squash
aged 18 with a worker for
Equity&Law led to Wilson being
hired by the insurance firm as
a clerk. Within three years he
had become the firm’s youngest
broker consultant. Promotion
and a move to London led to a
partnership and friendship with
Sir Mark Weinberg.
Wilson followed Weinberg to
Hambro Life, which was bought
by British-American Tobacco in
1985, changing its name to Allied
Dunbar, and securing Wilson
a free allowance of cigarettes.
In 1991 the pair left to found a
company with £25m in backing
from Lord Rothschild. Wilson
became the chief executive of
J Rothschild Assurance which
later changed its name to SJP.
Five years after founding their
company, Weinberg and Wilson
had fulfilled their ambition of
seeing their company listed on
the stock market. By 2014 it
had become the second-fastest
company to join the FTSE-100
index. Last year, SJP topped the
FT Adviser rankings, outselling
its nearest rival by more than
£4 billion. Wilson was “the
engine of the business,” said
Lord Rothschild, adding: “He
was an unsung hero.” Even when
battling lung cancer, he was keen
to share his financial wisdom.
Michael Sumner Wilson, the
only son of Peter and Margaret,
was born in Plymouth and
grew up in Bournemouth and
attended St Edward’s, Oxford
on a navy bursary. He captained
the swimming team, played 1st
XV rugby and became Head of
House - “Fortunately Duncan
Williams and Frank Fisher never
wrote me off completely!” His
early sporting interest developed
into a love for Chelsea FC, but he
was never academic, admitting:
“I simply could not see the
relevance of learning what had
happened in 1066.”
Mike founded and later
chaired, the St James’ Place
Charitable Foundation, which has
donated more than £55 million
to nearly 800 charities. A trustee
of MQ: Transforming Mental
Health, he also favoured children’s
charities, was long-serving Chair
of the St Edward’s Foundation
Board and had his own charitable
trust. In 2012 he received a CBE
for contributions to the insurance
industry and to charity.
WYNNE – ON 4th June 2017,
Christopher Michael Wynne (G,
1969-1974). Son of Christopher
(G, 1939-1943).
Rugby XV. Canoeing.
Gold DofE. Loughborough
University 1975-1979 BSc.
Lancaster University 1979-
1980 PGCE. Assistant Master
Bemrose School, Derby 1980-
1983. Trekking Leader Exodus
Expeditions from 1983. Interests:
climbing, trekking, world travel.
John Tridgell
Mike Wilson