authenticating body BTEC inspected us annually, checking samples of student submissions and tutors’ marking which had undergone scrutiny through the moderation process designed by Lawrence and undertaken by him and Chris Williams. At our annual graduation ceremony BTEC enjoyed taking part in the speeches and presentations and made reference to their unprecedented award of full marks for each of five aspects of quality control of the marking process. This had never been achieved by any other of their thousands of education centres. Lawrence achieved this within a short timespan; not through a deep understanding of the education process but by applying his original accuracy tests and systems to ensure fairness. He attended some of the annual weekend schools where he delighted the students with his stories and wit, often sitting up with them until the early hours. He was ever popular and kept his eyes on the quality of the lecturers. Lawrence disliked hotels, preferring to stay at various times with Trevor in Bourne and Lin Helle (office manager) in Coventry. He was not only tough with his quality control but he was a tough guy too, enjoying walking in Snowdonia until his eighties and, on one occasion, surviving a gambol down Lin’s stairs, having taken a wrong turn during the night. He refused to go to hospital until Gordon insisted and he returned with his ‘I told you so’ look as they could find no damage at all. Lawrence, old friend, you will be missed by many, and the current generation of payrollers have to be grateful for the foundation you help us build with your uncompromising attitude to quality and standards. You were, and remain, an inspiration.
when Lawrence was there, and he always lit up the office. As education director for many years, I was passionate about forwarding the advancement of my chosen profession. Lawrence was definitely a crucial part of that process. Without people like Lawrence we would not be where we are today. I kept in touch with him since he retired. It has been my pleasure to have had him in my life. A great character and very clever person. God bless Lawrence.
Chris Williams
My first encounter with Lawrence was at my interview for a senior pension job at Cheshire County Council in 1975. Who would have thought this would lead to a professional and personal relationship which would last for 45 years?! Longer than some marriages! In our fourteen years at Cheshire, Lawrence acted as a personal mentor in developing my career, guiding me through two promotions in pensions and preparing me for a role as a senior pensions manager. He had a unique job covering both payroll and pensions, and during this time he and Peter Blackhurst put in a new in-house payroll system; you wouldn’t do that now. Lawrence also brought pensions into the 20th century by introducing the Computerised Local Authority Superannuation System CLASS) used by all local authority pension funds and one of the first public/private partnerships at that time. In 1980, at the time the Association of Payroll and Superannuation Administrators (APSA) was forming, Lawrence was supportive of both payroll and pension staff becoming involved and he became an examiner when the APSA exam qualification was introduced. In 1989, our paths diverged with Lawrence retiring and myself becoming pensions manager at Clwyd County Council, but we kept in touch. In 1998, with the merger of APSA and the BPMA Lawrence asked Bill Fulton and I to take the first batch of students in the new Diploma in Pensions through tutoring and attending the weekend school. He had been instrumental in developing the course material and the tutor marked assignments. We enjoyed our trips to the graduation ceremonies to meet up with friends and students. There was even a ‘Lawrence Warrell award’, and he was always keen to chat with the successful student. Wherever you were, you could hear his infectious laugh. On reaching his eighth decade Lawrence retired in 2004. We kept in touch and met for walks and hostelry inspection trips. Though many members may not have known Lawrence, in this iconic fortieth anniversary year it is worth reviewing how the Chartered Institute has evolved and how key players like Lawrence have helped it in its journey and development. CIPP owes gratitude and thanks to these key players. I will miss Lawrence very much. ...key players like Lawrence have helped it in its journey and development.
Gordon Cresswell, and Trevor Lakin
I want to pass on my personal thoughts of this great man who was so crucial to the early years of the BPMA. Lawrence worked with one of our founders, Peter Blackhurst, at Cheshire county council and was recruited by Trevor Lakin, another founder, to write our very first version of the Diploma. It was vital for the Diploma to be available at the earliest possibility as this was the basis for our members to become qualified for the first time in their career. Later, the qualification helped to prove our status as an educational association and therefore for us to attain Institute status and to put payroll really on the map. Lawrence wrote efficiently and with good speed, all in long- hand, although reading his handwriting was sometimes like reading a doctor’s handwriting. Lawrence became chief moderator and for many years it was my pleasure to be his assistant. He was always a big personality when in the Institute’s office, loved by all. Everyone always knew Without people like Lawrence we would not be where we are today.
Bryan Monkman
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 63 | September 2020
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