Dr John Moger Woolley brought a clear-sighted, well-informed and measured approach to his work as Chair of University Council (1997-2006) – an approach he developed over his many years of experience in business, management and leadership. 

Moger – as he was always known – was born in Williton in Somerset and educated at Taunton School after winning a scholarship. He did his National Service aged 19 as a subaltern with the Army in Famagusta, British Cyprus, just as the unrest of the Cyprus Emergency began. On his return, he read Physics at the University of Bristol, where he met his wife Gill, who graduated in 1957 in Mathematics. They married in 1960 and had two children, Andrew and Phillipa (and subsequently six grandchildren, one of whom graduated from Bristol Medical School in July 2024). 

Moger graduated in 1959 and joined ES&A Robinson, a paper, printing and packaging company in Bristol, as a lab worker. He soon rose through the managerial ranks under the mentorship of Lloyd Robinson, later Pro-Chancellor of the University and an important influence on his life and career. ES&A Robinson merged with John Dickinson Stationery in 1966 to create the Dickinson Robinson Group (DRG), one of the world's largest stationery and packaging companies. Moger was appointed to the Board of DRG in 1979.  

After becoming the Group's Chief Executive in 1985, he led a major change programme with ambitious business targets, greater clarity over DRG’s future direction and goals, a focus on efficiency, and an emphasis on good management. Within a decade, DRG’s performance was transformed, becoming a customer-orientated, high-tech manufacturing company with a strong cash flow and higher profits and returns on investment. Unfortunately, Moger’s careful stewardship of DRG along traditional responsible business lines came up against what he called the ‘vagabonds and thieves’ of that era’s asset-stripping culture; an ill-judged hostile takeover resulted in huge losses and the collapse of the company. During this period, Moger wrote feelingly about the moral responsibilities of businesses and banks. He had ensured that the DRG pension fund had been ringfenced, and he served as a trustee for a further 11 years after the takeover to ensure that all pension obligations were met. 

He then embarked upon his second career, serving as Non-Executive Director and Chair of eight businesses and an acute hospital trust. He was also a Deputy Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, a High Sheriff of Gloucestershire and Master of the Merchant Venturers, a governor of Colston’s Collegiate School and Chair of BRACE, a highly successful local charity for research into Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  

Moger’s support of his alma mater was longstanding and unstinting. He became a member of University Council in 1987 and served as its Chair from 1997 to 2006 – the first Bristol graduate to hold the post. He was instrumental in the development and success of the University during these years, which saw a transformation of the role of Council and its Chair, as well as a remarkable increase in fundraising for the institution. He also served as a Pro-Chancellor from 2007 to 2012. 

Any account of Moger’s life would be incomplete without a mention of his passion for sport. He played cricket at school, then for the University and at county level; he played hockey and football for his regiment and the University; and he captained both the University hockey and cricket teams and led the hockey team to the Universities Athletic Union championship. He played rugby for Somerset and competed in athletics at White City; and he readily admitted that the University’s outdoor sports ground, Coombe Dingle, was his favourite place at Bristol.  

In 2005, in recognition of his advocacy and tireless efforts on its behalf, the University awarded Moger the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, and in 2014 made him an Honorary Fellow. The oration for his honorary degree was given by the University’s then Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Sir Eric Thomas, who himself sadly passed away in 2023. In his tribute to Moger as a champion of the University of Bristol (which you can read in full online), Sir Eric concluded: 

'Moger has shown himself to be the ideal Chair: ambitious for our University but wise and experienced about how quickly we should move forward; tough when has to be but generally hands-off; always available for advice and always very helpful with that advice; hugely networked and experienced.  

'Finally, if you cut through the middle of Moger Woolley you will find the words “University of Bristol” carved out just as in candy rock ... (H)e will have the gratitude not only of the current staff and students but generations to come.’   

John Moger Woolley is survived by his wife Gill, his children Andrew and Phillipa and six grandchildren.