When Michael Young, Lord Young of Dartington set up the Open College of the Arts in 1987, he astutely brought his good friend, Bob Gavron, on board as a trustee and from 1991 as chairman. Bob was wonderfully supportive to me as director during those early years when the college struggled to survive. He brought in, at no cost to the college, professional advice on a wide range of issues.
At times when things looked particularly bleak, an envelope would arrive, unsolicited, with a cheque from his charitable trust. Without his support throughout the 1990s, the college would not be the considerable organisation it is today.
