Gerald Mowbray

Posted: March 7th, 2024

Tributes poured into the AMP following the death of the Association’s secretary, GERALD MOWBRAY, on February 10, 2024. He was 86 and had served as our secretary since 2003. Following a long and successful career in print management, as MGN’s group technical director Gerald took the Company’s titles into full colour and direct input in the mid-1980s. The Association has donated £1,000 to Age UK in Gerald’s memory

GERALD Mowbray’s early career in the printing industry began at Sun Printers, Watford. Before moving to MGN and newspapers, he worked in general printing in various management positions. Gerald was managing director of the first fully-computerised colour repro­duction studio, and group technical director of Maxwell Communication Corporation’s pre-press division.

In 1985, he was seconded part-time from MCC to Mirror Group at Holborn Circus to join the team planning for the introduction of the new MAN Colorman web-offset presses and associated support facilities. He was appointed MGN group technical director in 1986, responsible for overseeing the introduction of new pre-press technology at the various publishing and printing centres. Gerald left MGN at the end of 1992 to form a publishing and production consultancy, which he ran for the next ten years.

Reminiscing, he said: “I was persuaded by Bob Avery at the end of the 2003 AGM to consider becoming secretary. Bob introduced me to Tony Boram and Ken Hudgell – who I had never met before as it was my first AMP AGM. Ken subsequently gave me more details of the role a few days later and I accepted the position. My first committee meeting was on May 6, 2004.”
Gerald leaves behind his beloved wife, two children, and three much-loved grandchildren.

RAY WEAVER pays tribute to Gerald, his friend of forty years:
In 1985, Fleet Street newspapers were printed on clapped out black and white presses, mostly installed in late 1950s and early 60s.
In the space of two years, as group technical director Gerald Mowbray changed the Mirror titles from poor quality black and white to high quality full colour. And implemented journalists’ direct input.
After the Mirror titles, other newspapers quickly followed into colour. Fleet Street collectively owes Gerald Mowbray a huge debt.
I first met Gerald in May 1985 when I was introduced to him by MGN managing director Jack Ferguson.
“Gerald will be leading the team for the transition to colour,” said Jack.
I joined Gerald’s development team along with Tony Stalker (systems development) and Rod Hunt (computer technology). And later Peter Cook also joined.
Gerald had a wide brief: Journalists to be trained for direct input; photographers to shoot in colour; new darkrooms; page transmission equipment to be researched and purchased.
Plus web offset presses to be researched, purchased and installed at the printing sites in Watford, Stamford Street, London, and in Oldham, Greater Manchester.
Gerald led the team with calmness and superb direction. Careful planning and keeping to a strict timetable enabled a seamless transition.
Gerald had a wonderful smile and a lovely, dry sense of humour. When he first arrived in Holborn I took him on a tour of the departments.
After looking around the composing department, where formes were still assembled in metal by hand, much as they had been for the past 400 years, I asked him: “Well Gerald, what do you think of it?” He replied with a smile: “I think Caxton could get a shift here, no problem.”
Gerald was a delightful colleague to work with. And a wonderful friend for nearly forty years. Sadly missed.

Chris Rushton, MGNPS trustee: “Gerald was a giant of a man within the AMP and we owe him so much.”
Monty Court, former Sunday Mirror news editor, ex-editor, The Sporting Life, and hon AMP committee member: “We have lost a splendid human being and honest counsellor. We couldn’t have been luckier than to have Gerald take the AMP helm for the many storms to come. And always with a smile.”
Malcolm Speed, former managing editor SDR&SM and AMP committee member: “I did not know Gerald before joining the AMP but was struck by his depth of knowledge about the pension fund, the Trustee Board, and their workings and history. He was a true pensioners’ champion as well as a stalwart of the AMP. He will be sadly missed. Goodbye Gerald, and thank you.”
John Hemple, former MGN deputy finance director, chair­man of the trustee board and later a pensions trustee, and now hon committee member: “Gerald was a stalwart for AMP second only to Tony Boram in his contribution. A devastating loss to the AMP. I feel honoured to have known Gerald and to have worked with him, both at the Mirror and with AMP.”
Tony Patey, former Mirror City man and current AMP committee member: “A massive loss; Gerald was a true, true gentleman. He was a wise guide and advocate, and he put a huge amount of his own time into our work.”
Tom Ashmore, Mirror Lib­rary: “Gerald was a man dedicated to the pension cause, working on behalf of others. A fine gentleman.”
Caro Cluskey, editor, Mirror Pensioner: “We could write a book about Gerald and his dedication to the AMP. As we continue our work for the members in the coming months and years, no doubt we’ll often ask ourselves: ‘What would Gerald do?’”