Lord Bob Kerslake Obituary: Former British Civil Service Head Bob Kerslake’s Death Cause Revealed

Lord Bob Kerslake, a former head of the British civil service and a prominent figure in local government, passed away on Saturday, July 1, 2023, after a short battle with cancer. He was 68 years old. His family announced his death on social media, paying tribute to a “truly fantastic husband, dad, brother, son and granddad”. He is survived by his wife, Silvia, and his two children, Eleanor and Tom.

Lord Bob Kerslake’s Early Life, and Career

Lord Kerslake was born in Bath and grew up in Somerset. He attended the Blue School in Wells and then studied mathematics at the University of Warwick, where he graduated with a first-class degree. He trained as an accountant and joined the Greater London Council in 1979, working in various departments until it was abolished by the Thatcher government in 1986. He then moved to the Inner London Education Authority, which was also abolished in 1989.

He continued his career in local government, becoming the chief executive of Hounslow borough council in 1991. He was credited with improving the council’s performance and finances, as well as leading several regeneration projects. In 1997, he was appointed as the chief executive of Sheffield city council, where he faced the challenge of reviving a city that had suffered from industrial decline and debt. He managed to turn around the city’s fortunes with the help of private-sector investment and public-private partnerships. He oversaw the development of several landmark projects, such as the Millennium Galleries, the Winter Garden, and the Peace Gardens. He also helped to secure Sheffield’s status as a city of culture and sport.

In 2008, he left Sheffield to become the chief executive of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), a new body responsible for delivering affordable housing and regeneration across England. He led the HCA through the financial crisis and the coalition government’s austerity measures while maintaining its commitment to quality and sustainability. He also championed community-led housing initiatives and supported local authorities in their housing strategies.

In 2012, he was appointed as the head of the civil service by Prime Minister David Cameron, alongside Sir Jeremy Heywood, who became the cabinet secretary. This was a controversial move that split the roles of the most senior civil servant for the first time. Lord Kerslake was tasked with overseeing the reform and modernization of the civil service, as well as leading its response to major challenges such as Brexit and Covid-19. He also had to deal with frequent clashes with ministers over policy and spending cuts.

He retired from his position as permanent secretary at the Department for Communities and Local Government in 2015, when he was nominated for a peerage by David Cameron. He took his seat in the House of Lords as a crossbench peer later that year. He continued to be involved in public service, serving as the chair of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust from 2015 to 2017. He resigned from that role after criticizing the government’s funding of the NHS and accusing it of unrealistic expectations. He also chaired an independent review of Greater Manchester’s preparedness and response to the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017.

A respected voice on politics and policy

Lord Kerslake was widely respected across Westminster for his experience and wisdom. He was a regular media commentator on politics and policy issues, often expressing his views on matters such as devolution, social care, public sector pay, and constitutional reform. He was not afraid to criticize successive governments for their failures or shortcomings, especially on issues related to his areas of expertise.

He was also an active member of several think tanks and organizations that aimed to improve public policy and governance. He was the president of the Local Government Association from 2015 to 2019, where he advocated for more powers and resources for local authorities. He was also the chair of Peabody Trust, one of London’s oldest and largest housing associations, from 2016 until his death. He oversaw Peabody’s merger with Family Mosaic in 2017, creating a new organization that manages more than 66,000 homes across London and the southeast.

He also founded The Kerslake Commission on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping in 2020, which published a report calling for urgent action to end homelessness in England by 2030. The report made several recommendations, such as increasing the social housing supply, reforming welfare benefits, and providing more support for people with complex needs.

A Legacy of public good

Lord Kerslake was widely praised for his contribution to public service and his dedication to improving the lives of people and communities. He was described as a talented, professional, and decent public servant, who had a vision and a passion for public good. He was also known for his kindness, humility, and integrity, as well as his sense of humor and his love for his family and his dog.

He received several honors and awards for his achievements, including a knighthood in 2005, a peerage in 2015, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Sheffield in 2019. He was also named as one of the 100 most influential people in local government by the Local Government Chronicle in 2010 and 2011.

Lord Kerslake’s death has been met with sadness and condolences from many politicians, public figures, and organizations. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “deeply saddened” by the news and praised Lord Kerslake for his “outstanding service to our country”. Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was “very sorry” to learn of his death and thanked him for his “recent contributions to the Labour Party”. Former Prime Minister David Cameron said he was “very sorry” to hear that Lord Kerslake had passed away and called him a “committed public official” who served the coalition government with “great professionalism”.

Lord Kerslake’s funeral will be held on July 10, 2023, at St Paul’s Cathedral in London. His family has requested that donations be made to The Kerslake Commission on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping or Peabody Trust in lieu of flowers.