We’re sad to report that former IoIC chairman, Bob Gooding, has died.

He died in the new year in hospital with his family by his side. There will be a memorial service for Bob in the spring.

Bob was a co-founder of creative comms agency Chandler Gooding in the 1970’s – one of the first internal communication agencies in the UK.

He became a member of IoIC (or BAIE as it was then known) in 1973 and served on Council between 1980 – 2010.

He was Vice Chairman in 1990 and Chairman in 1991/92.

IoIC President Suzanne Peck says: “When I joined IoIC in the 1980’s, Bob was one of the key drivers of the association – listening to him in action on Council with his gift for debate and clear vision was brilliant to observe. He asked me to organise the national conference and awards in the year he was chairman, and it was an honour to work alongside him for my own first IoIC ‘event’.

“He was supportive, shared great advice – often over a glass or two in the Actor’s Retreat wine bar – and just fun to work with. His contribution helped to shape the Institute we are today.”

Alan Peaford MBE – former President and Chairman of CiB and European association, FEIEA,  and Chairman of Trident Communications, paid his own tribute:

“I met Bob through what was then the BAIE/CiB – today’s IoIC – when I was running a comms team at a major UK corporate. He was leading the excellent Chandler Gooding agency at that time, and I recognised immediately someone who enjoyed fun – and a glass of wine.

“When leaving the corporate world to run an agency I sought advice from Bob and in the 16 years that followed we became keen rivals – and good friends.

“I remember many lunches in the Actor’s Retreat or the Wig & Pen where we would share concerns, challenges and frustrations in our industry, and I valued his wise counsel and experience.

“He was key figure in the growth of our professional body to the focused Institute it is today. He always encouraged his colleagues at CG, and the resulting Sequel Group, to be involved in the organisation and continued to be a mentor in between his sailing adventures in retirement.

“The loss of Bob will be felt keenly by those of us who served on committees with him, competed against him, and benefited from his wise (and sometimes cynical) words.”

And Kathie Jones who worked closely with Bob, firstly when she was secretary general and then as IoIC chief executive, said:

“After Alan Peaford asked me to be his vice chairman in 1989, I began to try and learn more closely about each member of the existing BACB Council.  I remember taking Bob out for lunch and so began a period of working together that I shall never forget.  When I was at a loss as to how to proceed, he was immensely clever at dealing with difficulties.  Indeed, I well remember him easing the Association into the world of computerisation, updating the Editor’s Handbook and providing special help for redundant members. He was also forced to fire the incumbent advertising agent, establish a long-term strategy, and set up a working party to shake up the current administration. 

“Bob was widely respected and latterly he became a Senate Member in 1997 and ultimately President in 1999 but was forced to retire within months due to ill-health.  He will be sadly missed.”

Nick Andrews, former chairman of the IoIC in 2005/06 and a colleague of Bob’s for many years at Chandler Gooding, concluded: ‘Bob was something of a mentor to me; he employed me as a writer – fresh from local newspapers with no corporate experience - at Chandler Gooding in 1990 and was a supportive influence in the years that followed as I progressed at the agency and became involved with the wider industry.

‘I was proud to be part of the management team that took over the reins at CG when Bob stood down and was determined to ensure his years of commitment to the agency were built upon; I know he took a keen interest in the agency’s fortunes after his retirement and was pleased to see it flourish, latterly as Sequel.

‘Bob had a great sense of fun, was erudite and witty. He was very supportive of his colleagues and always gave wise counsel.  Above all, he was a kind person and will be missed by everyone who knew him.’