Tim Holt 1943 to 2022

Tim Holt passed away suddenly on 15 November 2022. He was an important part of the development of the Department of Social Statistics in Southampton, which he joined in 1973 after a time working at Statistics Canada. He was appointed Leverhulme Professor of Social Statistics in 1980, and became Head of Department and pro-vice Chancellor.

In 1995 he moved into the civil service as head of the Central Statistical Office and oversaw the formation of the Office for National Statistics, becoming its first director and was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB). He then returned to Southampton, but maintained a strong interest in the structures, independence and integrity of official statistics throughout his career. He was President of the Royal Statistical Society from 2005 to 2007.

Tim was a kind and generous person, always ready to share insights into statistical ideas and thinking. He was an important part of the development of survey statistics at Southampton and will be sadly missed.