Norman Biddle | In memory

Chair of Trustees, George Ferguson RWA, reflects on the l Norman Biddle, former Chair of RWA following his death earlier this year.

"Norman Biddle who sadly died on 25th February was a supremely kind man, and a giant
on the Bristol scene. He held many voluntary positions and served as the first Chair of
RWA Trustees from 2009 -12, a role requiring great diplomatic skills at a time of change,
hailing a new ambition and direction for the Academy and eventually resulting in the
transformational Light & Inspiration project.

Born and educated in Cardiff, on qualifying as a quantity surveyor he joined the newly
established firm of Symonds & Partners in 1960 becoming a partner in just 3 years,
taking over responsibility for oOices in Bristol, London and Saudi Arabia. He became
Chairman in the ‘80s. In the 90’s the company was bought by the French company
Vivendi when Norman became Group MD of Vivendi UK.

Norman Biddle 

Since retiring from Symonds/Vivendi in 1997 he supported several emerging Bristol
companies as a non-executive and became Chair of the Board of Age Concern
Enterprises.

Always concerned to help with community cohesion, in the late 70’s Norman had advised on the formation of the Zenzele Self Build Group that consisted of 10
unemployed St Paul’s residents who built their own homes following the inner city riots.
The project became a model for other such UK community self-build schemes.

Always driven by a desire to give back, Norman became Master of the Bristol Guild of
Guardians, a member of the Council of the University of Bristol and Trustee of the
Quartet Community Foundation as well as his invaluable work for the RWA. He was also Chair of the appeal for the Bristol Children’s Hospital, helping to raise over £12m. 

Norman was a strong family man and devoted husband to Vivien and proud father and
grandfather. I shall miss Norman’s sound advice and shall always remember him for his
good company, and his wry sense of humour – often at my expense!"