Anthony Glossop (1960)

Anthony Glossop grew up in Holymoorside in Derbyshire, studying at Stancliffe Prep School and Eastbourne College where rugby quickly became a passion. He joined Queens’ as a Foundation Scholar in autumn 1960 to study law. While it was a subject to which he was naturally suited, he misjudged his revision by a day in his last year (his words) and graduated with a 2:1. Time not spent in the library was more than made up for by time on the rugby pitch or on the river – gaining his blades in the Queens’ 6th rugby boat in the 1963 May bumps. His friendships at Queens’ continued well beyond the Cambridge years and as families grew, with regular picnics, bonfire nights and ski holidays.

After a short spell in the Metropolitan Police, he qualified as a solicitor, but after several years in the family firm in Chesterfield, he moved to the business world, working first for specialist engineers Molins Limited in London and then joining Redman Heenan International in Worcester. He became its Chief Executive in 1982, in the depths of the engineering recession and steered its transformation into a property group. In the following years, together with Sir Stanley Clarke, he built St Modwen to become the UK’s leading regeneration specialist. He became Chairman in 2004.

He was always active in the local community where his property and legal background proved invaluable. Over the years he was a board member of the Worcester Enterprise Agency, the West Midlands Development Agency and the Worcestershire Community and Mental Health Trust and Chairman of the Worcester Civic Society and Worcester CAB. He continued these roles into “retirement”, becoming a board member and chairman of Worcester Warriors Rugby Club, a governor of St Richard’s Hospice, treasurer of the Three Choirs Worcester Festival 2021 and a fellow of Worcester University. He was proud of the achievements of these organisations, giving generously of his time and expertise and delighted to share in their successes.

In his spare time, Anthony was a great lover of the arts and an enthusiastic supporter of Birmingham Royal Ballet and Longborough Festival Opera. He had a lifelong passion for both the outdoors and gardens; the restoration of Trentham Gardens, one of the greatest garden schemes of the 21st century being the St Modwen project of which Anthony was most proud. He renewed his association with Queens’, providing much appreciated support and advice in the redevelopment of the Porter’s Lodge and the Round.

Anthony was never one to shout about his achievements but the many organisations and individuals that he supported and mentored over the years have been unfailingly grateful for his wise counsel and sage advice, his careful listening and constructive challenge. In any conversation he put people at ease, always ready with a (usually embellished!) anecdote, often with wit and humour. He was an active, vibrant person with a great zeal for life and a generosity of spirit. He placed family at the centre of his life and leaves a much-loved wife Julia, two daughters, Clare and Katharine, six grandchildren and very many friends. A true gentleman. He will be much missed.