On behalf of everyone at Ciarb, we send our sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of John Wilding. Our thanks to Michael Hawkyard FCIArb for the following obituary.

John Blake Wilding FCIArb, born April 1947, was a professional man of very high standing within his professional community and amongst his clients.

From my direct personal knowledge of John, I would submit of greater importance in his legacy was his uncompromising ethics, honesty and integrity.

This honesty and commitment to integrity I know did not appeal at times with some of his peers in senior professional institute management roles, but it is very much to John’s credit that he was, as aforesaid, uncompromising in this regard, self-interest never taking precedence.

A quantity surveyor by primary profession John specialised in matters contractual and disputes management/resolution from the late ‘70s, those earlier years including Middle Eastern & European involvement.

The first regional branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators was the North West UK Branch, which John was instrumental in creating and establishing.

John faithfully served the NW Branch Ciarb for many years on its Committee, including as Chair and as Honorary Secretary 

At a national level he was elected onto the General Council on several occasions.

The Chartered Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors elected John as its President in 2003/4.

John was author of many articles in industry and institute journals, not only of a technical/contractual nature but also of a more thought-provoking, philosophical nature, not always necessarily construction industry related.

His regular articles included one in the ’Builder and Engineer’ journal called Wilding Writes.

On BBC Radio Manchester John was co-host on a regular programme highlighting homeowners’ legal problems concerning construction work on their properties.

Another less well-known attribute was as a many times 10k runner, until into his 70s. He was also a 100m sprinter in his earlier years.

As a human being John Wilding was personable to a fault, always very approachable with a great sense of humour.

John was an inspiration to myself via our conversations, which I shall miss greatly.

Thank you John for making this world just a little bit better place, from your being in it.

John leaves a widow, Jennifer, to whom we that knew John send our sincere condolences.