I know nothing about animals and diseases, but I went to school as a child in Nigeria, taught in Burundi, and have just spent a few anxious days waiting for my son to return from Kenya and Nigeria, hopefully avoiding Ebola. Unlike Helen, I may not know the science, but...Read More

Michael was our cousin but my sisters, Hilary and Lynda, live overseas (NZ & USA) so didn’t know Michael as I did. Hilary was delighted to see him 2 years ago when she was visiting me. They had a lovely chat and Michael was his usual wonderful empathetic persona who...Read More

I first met Helen during the Covid-19 pandemic where I was in UKHSA and we spend an intense few weeks trying to understand which animals were suspectible to Covid. Mink were the topic of most of our conversations and Helen taught me everything I ever needed to know about them....Read More

I was sad to hear that Michael had passed away. I only met him a few times, but he was always gentle and kind, with the loveliest smile and a great sense of humour! I only knew him as a retired Baptist Minister – I never knew that he had...Read More

My little chickadee! ❤️ Claire will forever be the most wonderful, caring, hardworking lady I’ve ever had the pleasure of managing. She took me under her wing when I felt completely out of my depth and worked so hard to share her knowledge with me which I will always be...Read More

Dear Claire you were such a kind and supportive person to work with over the years. You always had a smile on your face. Your presence will be missed so much. Thinking of everyone who knew and loved you. 

Claire was a great colleague and a lovely person – someone who has been taken far too soon. Claire was kind, compassionate, resilient and had a great sense of humour. She will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and working with her. My thoughts are...Read More

We have fond memories of both Michael and Mary and consider our years at High Street Baptist Church in Tring to have been very happy. Michael was very kind, capable and pleasant. We also always felt grateful to him for the wise advice he gave us which has affected our...Read More

Back in June 1999, I was introduced to Colin whilst he was working in one of Pitt St, Glasgow Police HQ comms room. He was described to me then by my fellow Network Officer, Jimmy Miller as the network guru. It didn’t take long for me to realise just how...Read More

Dear Michael,   What an exceptional life with so much greatness presented to our world! You will be missed every moment; as a researcher and as a kind and inspiring person!   I feel that our thermal comfort community will not be the same without you! I used to call...Read More

We will miss you so much Claire, the office will never feel the same without you. It was a pleasure to know you, and I really enjoyed working with you (Riviam Queen!). You did so much amazing work that helped so many people, they were lucky to have you at...Read More

Claire was an integral part of our team, always smiling and always there for support both personally and professionally. She was so kind and great at what she did, and she will be hugely missed. 

In my first pastorate in Knighton, Michael was an amazing help and support: always there to guide and mentor, but in a gentle way. It was Michael’s gentleness that influenced my ongoing ministry, and something I still use as my guiding principle. Thank you Michael for the example you set...Read More

Daddy was a generous and kind man in his time, and he welcomed everyone to his house especially during the festive season’s. I pray the Lord will give his family the fortitude to bear his loss and pray for his soul to rest in eternal peace IJMN🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Dearest Michael, Up There where you belong – just waiting to prove Fergus and I wrong about the After Life… Thank You. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for being an inspirational example of a truly decent human being. Thank you for being an Inspirational Thinker and Champion of Truth...Read More

What a tragic and sad loss the untimely passing of Helen is. So many fond memories over the past 20 years.  Helen has left a vacuum which will be very difficult fo fill. Helen was unique and irreplazable in so many ways. Her softly spoken nature make such a contrast with...Read More

The immense sadness I feel whilst writing this message is enormously outweighed by the privilege it was to know and work with Helen. Rest well Dr. Helen Roberts.

Although a month has passed since I heard this terrible news, I am still in shock knowing that Helen, who seemed to be present everywhere, will no longer be part of our lives. I first met Helen about 10 years ago when I joined the Veterinary Science and Policy Advice...Read More

Claire my darling I cant believe I am actually writing this. You were a fab colleague and most of all a good friend. You and I went through so much together, through so many various versions of the Wellbeing Hub and we shared some good times and some bad. You...Read More

Claire you were taken from us all far too soon, it should never have been this way. You have helped so many people over the years with your kind and caring nature, it was a priveldge to work alongside you. You were so dedicated to your role and you will...Read More

Such desperately sad news. Reading all the tributes to Helen has left me very moved. What an impact she had on so many people, both professionally and personally. Just a lovely person, so helpful and supportive when I worked with her in Defra and that continued when I left. I’m...Read More

When I joined Data Services the thing about Colin that really struck me wasn’t his technical brilliance or his incredible way of dealing with customers, it was the lunches. By god, it was more of a banquet, full roast chickens, multiple large fresh baguettes, bags of salad, a large bottle...Read More

I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of your father. My heart truly goes out to you and your entire family during this painful time. Even though I only had the opportunity to meet him occasionally, every encounter left a lasting impression on me. He was such a...Read More

It was a shock hearing that Helen had passed away. She was involved in several international risk assessment projects that I also worked on in the last 10 years or so. Her knowledge and helpfulness were amazing. You could ask her about every rare, exotic disease. Although she was always...Read More

The news of Helen’s passing was met with such shock and sadness. We had so many great conversations over the years whether at a personal or professional level. However brief our conversations were intended to be, so often they were not, with One Health and zoonoses quickly taking over our...Read More

I was so sorry to hear the sad news about Michael Humphreys and send my deepest condolences to his family. As a fellow academic in the field of human thermal comfort research, I knew Michael for many years, meeting at conferences the world over (especially Windsor), listening to his inspiring...Read More

I was deeply saddened to hear of Helen’s passing. Helen was hugely respected across the equine sector, and everyone at the British Horse Council and the British Equine Veterinary Association valued her judgement, advice and support enormously. She combined knowledge and expertise with a rare ability to work positively and...Read More

I have been lucky enough to work intermittently with Helen over the years, often while investigating a potential new and emerging disease threat that has arisen and I learnt so much from her. She brought a depth of intelligence and knowledge, together with reassurance and timely humour, such invaluable qualities...Read More

Ken Parsons There are not many scientists where it can be said that they achieved a paradigm shift in their subject but Michael Humphreys was one of them. Michael brought a human dimension to the subject of thermal comfort through his empathy and compassion with all people he met and...Read More

I was deeply saddened and shocked when I learned about the sudden passing of Helen. It’s difficult to imagine that Helen is no longer with us. Our paths first crossed at SVEPM 2014 where Helen gave a workshop on the Infectious Disease Monitoring tool she had developed at Defra. Ever...Read More

I was both in awe of, and petrified by, the prospect of meeting Professor Humphreys, as one of the two examiners of my PhD, back in January 1999. As I ventured into the emerging field of outdoor comfort, his seminal work at the BRE was a major source of inspiration...Read More

I am deeply saddened by the loss of such a genuinely kind and caring man. Al truly was a gentle giant – someone who always took the time to check in on everyone and make people feel seen and valued whenever he was in the office. I will always remember...Read More

Al was one of those people whose presence could never go unoticed.  A true character, a friendly giant and a huge part of Army Rugby and Army Sport.  His love of music, laughter and people brougth so much life o those around him, and his support and kindness meant a...Read More

Helen was an amazing character who you wouldn’t forget once you had met her. She had such depth of knowledge across much of the Defra portfolio as well as internationally recognised expertise. She was also a warm, cheerful and well-liked person. Helen used her excellent risk assessment skills to advise...Read More

I only had the privilege to know Colin for about 5 years, but his memory will last the rest of my days. For those of us “slightly” younger than him, it’s like losing a father figure. Someone you could call in a crisis or just for a bit of advice....Read More

Claire will be missed, the team is not the same without her. She had a great sense of humour and a kind heart. My thoughts are with her family and friends at this time. 

I am really sorry to hear about it. Sending you lots of love and strength right now. 

Claire was a kind soul.  I worked with Claire over the last six years and she was extremely dedicated and committed.  She cared about people and helping them.  We had some fun times and good laughs.  She will be really missed.  My thoughts are with Claire’s family and all those...Read More

The Science Advisory Council Exotic and Emerging Animal Disease sub-group would like to express its sincere condolences on the passing of Helen Roberts. Helen played an invaluable role in ensuring that evidence and careful scientific consideration were at the heart of decision-making. She was a greatly valued link between the...Read More

I had the chance to meet Baba briefly, but I remember him as someone with a warm sense of humor who made conversations feel easy. In that interaction, it was clear he brought lightness to the people around him. May God bless his soul and grant him eternal rest. Wishing...Read More

*Daddy*I thank God I was privileged to see you one last time at mum’s birthday before your demise.Not only were you a father to your biological children, you were a father to many.A true Fatherw indeed you were to my husband and I. Daddy truly loved his family. He was...Read More

Anna with John, at home summer 2025

Anna in Edinburgh Botanical Gardens taken by Lucy summer 2024

Anna with Joe, picture taken by friend Hamish on one of the walks

I was so shocked to hear about Helen’s sad passing.  I worked with Helen many years ago and she was always the voice of calm in response to whatever was sent her way.  And if she did not have an answer she would go away, do some research and come...Read More

Michael I wish you were here and I could tell you how much I appreciated you. I am not good at writing and even worse at spelling, as you know, when you gently and with humour corrected the minutes I wrote for the Church! However it’s your kindness, compassion and...Read More

From the Revd. Tim Horsington. Dear Ruth,Catherine,Hilary,Grace and all the family, I assure you of my sympathy and prayers. Michael taught me Physics for a few years at Hartlebury Grammar School Worcestershire.  He and Mark Boulton the Biology teacher founded a Christian Fellowship.  They also converted a seven ton Army...Read More

From the Revd. Tim Horsington. Dear Ruth,Catherine,Hilary,Grace and all the family, I assure you of my sympathy and prayers. Michael taught me Physics for a few years at Hartlebury Grammar School Worcestershire.  He and Mark Boulton the Biology teacher founded a Christian Fellowship.  They also converted a seven ton Army...Read More

When I first met Colin in 1999, I had no idea of how much of an influence he would have on my life and career, I have no doubt whatsoever that I would not be in the position I am in today if it wasn’t for Colin’s guidance and mentorship....Read More

It is with deep sadness that I received the news of the passing Daddy . I had the privilege of knowing Daddy for over 33 years and during that time, he proved himself to be a true community leader and builder. He brought remarkable development to our community and made...Read More

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A warm hearted, genuine, sincere human being who it was a pleasure to know since he joined Army Sport. A true team player who was so supportive to our organisation with guidance, advice, emphathy and understanding. I thoroughly enjoyed the occasions when Al came into our offices and we would...Read More

I was devastated to hear the incredibly sad news about the loss of Jon.  We worked closely together on BBI transactions for about 5 years and Jon’s knowledge, experience and dedication to his clients was clear from the very outset of that.  It was obvious that those in his team...Read More

It was a privilege to have had the opportunity to work with Rob when I joined VGO Token. He was consistently generous with his time, patiently responding to my questions by email and providing thorough explanations, often accompanied by screenshots and examples that made complex matters easier to understand. He...Read More

This has taken sometime to find the words, and yet they still don’t seem enough.   Jon you were a constant in the c.6 years I had the pleasure of working with you in BBI. Whilst technically my boss, it never felt that way per se. You were an incredible...Read More

As many others have said, Al was a real character and a true force of nature.  He was always great company with an infectious enthusiasm, a fantastic sense of humour and a zest for life. I enjoyed discussing the various ups and downs of Bath Rugby and, as with many...Read More

Dear Paula, Charlie, Bethnay and Georgia, There are no words that can truly ease the pain and shock of such a devastating loss, but please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. He was so clearly loved by so many and we hope that you can find...Read More