Watching Sir Bob Reid in action was an inspiration to this (then) young person 30 years ago. In his role as chairman of the Industrial Society, he would oversee the judges’ meeting for the annual Industrial Journalism awards, (the Guardian’s Eamonn McCabe judged the photography section).
Sir Bob was brisk, businesslike, lucid and fair, keeping his notable fellow assessors such as Geoffrey Goodman, Liz Symons and Sir Peter Middleton right on track and on side. He was a natural- born chairman.
His wife was equally down-to-earth and approachable. At one Industrial Society event she picked up her name badge, which was marked “Lady Reid”, crossed the name out and replaced it with the simpler option of “Joan”.
