Lord Holme dies at 71

Message from Mehjabeen Abidi-Habib

Our dear friend and Chair of LEAD International, The Right Honorable Lord Holme of Cheltenham, Richard Holme passed away on Sunday 4 May 2008 at his home in Sussex UK. He was diagnosed with cancer of the brain some 8 months ago and bravely prepared to fight the disease whilst sheltering his large circle of professional friends and colleagues away from the details of his ailment. He kept his last formal engagement with LEAD by Chairing our preceding March 2008 Board teleconference from his residence.

As an eminent British politician and citizen of the world committed to sustainable development, he served on LEAD’s Board from 2002 to 2008, of which the last four years he was elected Chair.

He steered LI’s transition from its association with Rockefeller Foundation, to its current independent UK-based charity status. This financial and management transformation is all but complete, as Richard personally helped to groom Simon Lyster and his team for the ‘new LEAD’. A recurring adage he used in this process was to remind us that “whilst LEAD is not a business – it must always be business-like”.

As Richard’s understanding of the LEAD Fellowship grew, he found its network unique and inspiring. He championed our mission, and often pointed out that the corporate world would benefit from the watershed of experience and values contained in this family. Once in the middle of a heated Board debate about whether to engage with a gold mining company he warned “sustainable development from LEAD is not just window-dressing for stakeholder dialogue, it may mean painful and fundamental change for the mining company – let’s make that clear at the outset”.

A consummate Englishman, he was a meticulous Chair of the Board of Trustees, with a mastery of its form and function. Under his leadership, LEAD’s very international Board worked with intellectual rigor and organization, lubricated by his witty quips and wry humor.

In the past years, Richard had committed himself to several social causes and charities, including the Royal African Society and Greenwich University, sometimes speaking of them when he thought LEAD might need their help. But we always felt that while he was with us, LEAD was in the forefront of his efforts and we were centre stage for him. He hoped one day we would publish the riveting stories of our Fellow’s journeys as the Earth’s champions.

As well as his true friendship and service to LEAD, we shall miss his elegant and quick mind, wise counsel, verve and energy. Please join us in our final adieu and prayers for Richard Holme. May his soul rest in Eternal Peace.

Release date: Tuesday, May 6, 2008