News

Tributes pour in for "calm and wise" David Tebbutt

12.09.11 | Benedicte Page

Former colleagues of Faber finance director David Tebbutt have paid warm tributes to him this morning, amid widespread shock over the circumstances of his death.

Christopher Maclehose, who worked with Tebbutt at The Harvill Press, called him "an excellent financial director, absurdly modest, calm, wise and meticulous and unfailingly good natured", saying he would be "lastingly missed". Maclehose called it "unbearably sad" that Tebbutt should have died in a continent he loved, and said it was "impossible now to think other than of his wife and their son".

A Faber spokesperson said: "Everyone at Faber is devastated by the death of our friend and colleague and the news that his wife has been abducted. We would like to thank everyone for their kind messages. However, at this very difficult time our thoughts are with their family and we will not be commenting further."

Picador publisher Paul Baggaley, a former marketing director at Harvill, said Tebbutt was a "very thoughtful, practical, sensible person" in handling the challenges faced by a small independent publisher in a difficult retail environment. He said: "He was totally straight—there was no side to him. He was unfailingly polite and supportive to his colleagues."

Agent Carole Blake, who knew Tebbutt from his decade on the board of the Book Trade Charity, said its whole board was "just devastated" by his death. She described Tebbutt as "so generous with his time, so much fun, and astoundingly dedicated".

Suzy Jenvey, formerly editorial director of children's books at Faber, called Tebbutt an "exceptionally decent, kind and creative" colleague, while Adrian Driscoll of Aimer Media, a contemporary of Tebbutt's in his years at Routledge, remembered him as "calm, smart and sympathetic" in assisting young editors.

Palgrave senior publisher Rebecca Barden, another former Routledge editor, said: "David was a person of huge integrity, intelligence and kindness, one of the people who made Routledge a wonderful and inspiring place to work."

Tebbutt was shot dead in a gang attack at the Kenyan tourist resort of Kiwayu yesterday (11th September). His wife Judith was kidnapped.

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By Touet

David was the nicest man in publishing. funny, modest, generous and clever. We have lost an examplar for the Book Trade. I'm shocked and devastated.
Prof. Iain Stevenson
UCL CENTRE FOR PUBLISHING

Mon, 12/09/2011 - 13:22
By Iain Burns

I worked with David during his time at Harvill. He was a delightful colleague: gentle, calm, enormously hard working and with a sense of humour to match his personality, perceptive but always kind. It is a truly shocking way for such a peaceful man to meet his end. One can only hope and pray that his wife is soon recovered and without further harm.

My thoughts and condolences go out to his family and to his colleagues at Faber.

To echo Christopher Maclehose, this is unbearably sad.

Iain Burns

Mon, 12/09/2011 - 14:16
By Andrea Ciecierski

I worked with David at Routledge and liked and admired him tremendously. What a loss, not only for publishing but more so for his family and all of the people he touched personally.

Mon, 12/09/2011 - 16:23
By John von Knorring

Having worked with David both in the UK, and after I moved to the US, I want to add my tribute to someone of great integrity and intelligence, whose warmth, charm and humour made him a wonderful colleague. I hope to goodness that Judith can be extricated safely. My condolences to Oliver.

Mon, 12/09/2011 - 16:58
By LaLing

I didn't know my Tebbutt nor had I ever heard of him until yesterday. Nevertheless, it pains me whenever someone dies a useless death. I wish his wife a safe return from her captors.

Mon, 12/09/2011 - 18:35
By Pippa Sweeney

I worked with David during his time at Routledge, and am deeply saddened by this news. He was a wonderful colleague and always found time for people and projects where he could contribute. I know he will be missed enormously.

Mon, 12/09/2011 - 18:43
By Wendy Morris

I'm sure everyone who was privileged to have David as a colleague, as I was at Routledge, must feel this terrible loss. His calm good judgment, integrity, positive attitude and enabling support allowed publishers and projects alike to flourish.

Mon, 12/09/2011 - 19:33
By Alan Leitch

Truly shocking news. I worked with David at Routledge almost 20 years ago and thereafter saw him regularly at various trade events. A terrific colleague - smart, kind and unfailingly positive - and genuinely one of the real good guys. Such a terrible senseless waste…..

Mon, 12/09/2011 - 19:49
By Corina Breukel

Although we had lost touch somewhat over the last few years,I will always consider Dave as a great friend and I am devastated and shell-shocked by this terrible news. He was definitely one of the good guys and had the most wonderful giggly sense of humour. I am very concerned about the fate of Jude,his wife and hope desperately that she will soon be rescued. My thoughts are with Ollie, their son.

Mon, 12/09/2011 - 20:21
By Tarquin Bannister-Hicks

Lets all pray for and think of his wife.

Mon, 12/09/2011 - 20:49
By Andrew Hayward

Agree with the other comments, David was a lovely genuine guy and will be sorely missed by so many people.

Tue, 13/09/2011 - 08:35
By Phil Gooch

I only really knew David to say hello to when I worked at Routledge about 15 years back. A few years ago I bumped into him at a Book Trade Walk and he remembered me by name. He was such a warm, friendly and lovely man. So shocked and upset to hear this terrible news.

Tue, 13/09/2011 - 09:33
By Sean Harrop

I also remember David from Routledge days and have met him subsequently many years later. He impressed me from the very first with his warm style and open and honest attitude. Deeply saddened. I hope they find his wife safe.

Tue, 13/09/2011 - 10:00
By Rachel Maund

I also worked at Routledge 20 years ago and although I didn't know David well and our paths haven't crossed since he really was one of the good guys and this week's news is deeply shocking. My thoughts are with Judith, and my heart goes out to their family as they wait for news.

Tue, 13/09/2011 - 10:03
By Donald Smith

I met David several times at publishing functions over the years and like his ex-colleagues found him to be an extremely positive force behind the scenes of many relevant discussions. A dreadful, unnecessary loss. Let's hope and pray for the safe return of his wife.

Tue, 13/09/2011 - 10:12
By Jane Tatam

I worked with David way, way back in the old ABP days, and he was one of the best. I am shocked and saddened to hear this terrible news and am putting all my hope in Judith's safe return.

Tue, 13/09/2011 - 10:56
By Kathy Auger

I knew David from the Routledge days and as others have said he was very friendly and very professional. I hope his wife is found safe and unharmed and my thoughts are with his son at this time.

Tue, 13/09/2011 - 13:35
By Diane Perry (nee Purkiss)

I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear of this tragedy. I was David's PA at Routledge and he was one of the best bosses you could wish for. Even after I had moved on, David stayed in touch and always looked out for opportunities to advise and help me. My prayers are with Oliver who I remember as a lovely bright young boy and I hope and pray that Judith is returned to her family soon. Words cannot convey how sad I feel. I will always remember my calm and gentle friend. This world needs people like the Tebbutts. xxxxxx

Tue, 13/09/2011 - 14:23
By Peter Clay

David and I worked for many years at the ABP/Thomson offices in Andover Hampshire and you could not have wished to meet a more genuine, pleasant and likable person. I am deeply shocked by the tragedy in Kenya and my heart goes out to Judith and Oliver. David was one of the truly nice guys and will not be forgotten.

Tue, 13/09/2011 - 15:37
By Clive Charles

I am totally devastated by this awful news. I worked closely with David in the ABP days in Andover - his office was next to mine. We had many laughs and David had a wonderful sense of the ridiculous. I helped him and Judith (Jude) move house and attended their wedding. Like JvK above, I just hope that Judith is released speedily. My thoughts are constantly with her.

Tue, 13/09/2011 - 16:38

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