Neil left me big boots to fill and I remember clearly everyone telling me what a great person and what a good job he did, Mr Cooper said. When I later met him it struck me what a wonderful, kind, understanding and perceptive man he was. I have never heard anyone say a bad word about him – quite an achievement in that job. Mr Arlett later became a governor and contributed to being involved in the college’s development. Dr Ken Hopkins, then chair of governors and currently chair of the overall Heart of Mercia Multi Academy Trust, remembers him as the epitome of the English Gentleman, with a dry sense of humour and an engaging manner .