Life Stories
Roger Davis
Roger Norman Davis (1965 BA History) died on 3 November 2025 aged 78.
Roger was born and brought up in the Worcestershire countryside and educated at Redditch County High School. He came to Keble to read History. On graduating, he decided to work in the public service, and joined Cheshire County Council as a trainee accountant, later moving to Chester City Council where he qualified as a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). While at Chester, he had the good fortune to meet Vivienne (née Priestly) and they went on to marry at St John’s church in the city on 14 February 1970.
As his career developed, Roger moved back to Redditch to work for its new town Development Corporation and then, in 1981, joined Peterborough City Council as Deputy City Treasurer, later moving on to become City Treasurer, Director of Corporate Services and Deputy Chief Executive. In these roles, he played key parts in stabilising the Council’s finances, negotiating major property transfers from Peterborough Development Corporation, and securing the Council’s transfer to unitary status. After leaving the Council, he took on financial consultancy roles, with spells at various district councils and the London Borough of Camden.
Roger also served as a senior examiner for CIPFA, taking responsibility for drafting many of the Institute’s case study examinations. His contribution to its training programme was recognised in 2013 by the presentation of its Tom Sowerby award.
Aside from local government, Roger was active in the voluntary field in Peterborough as treasurer of the Cresset community complex and treasurer and chairman of Age Concern Peterborough. He became a board member and chairman of Accent Nene Housing Association and a member of the Accent Housing group board. Latterly, he continued to show his support for his adopted city by serving as treasurer of the Peterborough Civic Society.
Roger retained his lifelong interest in history and in the natural world. He liked nothing more than observing the wildlife of Andalucía, where he could often be found sitting out in the shade to note the procession of eagles, storks, and vultures passing overhead.