We at IPD knew Sir Derek well in his capacity as the first independent Chairman of our first Index Consultative Group and, along with no doubt countless members of the property investment sector in the UK, feel that we owe him a very considerable debt of gratitude for the years of effort and leadership which he brought to the role. The Group has been of great importance to the UK’s property industry because it advises on all matters concerning the design and construction of the accepted standard performance measures and indices adopted and used by property investors in this country, and now globally.

Despite being hugely busy when we asked him to assume this role over 7 years ago, he agreed immediately and proceeded to invest the work of the Group with an authority and direction which we had never seen before. His dedication to the task was reflected in the issues which he brought to the table and the authoritative way in which he managed our discussions.

He shamed most of us even with his attendance record – despite almost certainly suffering a more pressurised diary than any of the rest of the members, he only missed one meeting in the whole of his time as chairman. He was truly an excellent chair, bringing imagination as well as focus to bear upon all our discussions.

He will be sorely missed.