In memory: Jim Rollo
Written by: Michael Gasiorek, Peter Holmes, Alasdair Smith, L. Alan Winters
We are deeply saddened to hear of the death, after a long illness, on 25th September of our dear friend and colleague Professor Jim Rollo, a hugely distinguished expert on international economics and European Studies.
He was a founder member of the UKTPO and its first Deputy Director in 2016.
He joined Sussex University in 1999 after a non-university career starting in the Ministry of Agriculture and going on to be Director of the International Economics Research Programme at Chatham House 1989 – 1993 and Chief Economic Adviser at the Foreign Office.
He joined the University of Sussex to be the co-director of the Sussex European Institute where he led a Chevening Fellowship programme for highflyers from across non-EU Europe who wanted to study European Issues, many of them from Poland. He was Editor of the Journal of Common Market Studies (JCMS) from 2003 to 2010 and helped found the InterAnalysis consultancy in 2009 and led training courses across Africa and Asia.
He was much respected and loved for his erudition, his wit and his deep economic insights. He was an immensely kind and thoughtful, as well as being charming and funny. Everyone who met Jim remembers him fondly. He was also a highly valued travelling companion.
He had many interests outside work including literature and art. And for many years was a hard-working Trustee of the Museum of Immigration and Diversity in London.
If you have any recollections, thoughts or memories of Jim, we would be delighted if you would post these in the comments below. This would also be very much appreciated by his loving and fantastic wife Rachel.
His friends and colleagues,
Michael Gasiorek, Peter Holmes, Alasdair Smith and L Alan Winters.
Meeting Jim was one of my best Brexit benefits. I am sure he would have hilarious and wise things to say about the current state of world trade. I am sad that I don’t get to hear them.
Jim was a hugely valued member of the UK trade policy community that was forced into the spotlight by the Brexit referendum. His wise but subtly dissenting commentary was welcomed by all those fortunate enough to be present at some meetings around that time.
I’m really sad to hear this. Jim was really kind to me when I was a young(ish) researcher on trade and Europe, taking me seriously and making helpful suggestions. I always see willingness to help people up the ladder as the mark of a person, and Jim was supportive and generous.
Jim was a generous and stimulating colleague. As a young desk officer in the FCO Policy Planning Staff in the early 90s, I was given the daunting job of writing a paper identifying which countries would be the political and economic powerhouses of the 21st Century. Suffice to say, left to my own devices it would have been a disaster. Jim as Chief Economic Adviser took me under his wing and together we produced ‘The New Partners We Need’ a paper which stood up well in the light of history even if largely ignored at the time.
Jim was an amazing human being, intelligent, caring and generous. I always admired his ability to explain complex issues in ways anyone could understand, and make you laugh on the way. He was a great mentor, taking time to give advice to younger researchers. I will never forget our trips to Addis and Tanzania (X3), during the TradeSift years and the drinks we shared after long days of trade policy lactures. Jim will be missed but his teachings live on.
He was always ready with a caustic comment or well-informed question. If he was at a seminar, it was worth going to. A stimulating colleague and good friend.
Jim was extremely kind and approachable, which made it so easy for younger colleagues and students to be around him, and to learn from his vaste expertise in trade policy. He will be greatly missed.
Looking back on my time at the University of Sussex, one person stands out, my thesis adviser, Jim Rollo. I came in with uncertainty but he took the time to guide me and connect me to the right scholars I would not have found on my own. He did not just help me complete a thesis; he opened doors that changed the course of my journey. His thoughtful guidance and wisdom will be remembered.
This tribute to Jim Rollo is incredibly touching and well-written. His legacy of kindness, wit, and deep insights truly shines through in these heartfelt remembrances. A truly fitting tribute to an amazing human being.
I am delighted and honoured to be one of Jim’s students at Chevening Fellowship programme in Sussex University, when I first came there in 2000. Meeting Jim and Peter, my MA tutor was a landmark twist. Coming from a small country (Latvia) and being the only one there, his kindness and support to my humble wish to extend my studies, which was transformed by Jim into crazy idea to apply for another Chevening Fellowship (2003) and return to Sussex, opened a completely new chapter in my life. I would not be too humble to say – he was a truly inspiring and most sincere and kindest person, one of those mentors I will cherish in my memories. I am so happy I managed to maintain friendship with Peter through all those years. I therefore extend my deepest condolences to Peter and of course to.Jim`s wife and any other his loved ones and friends. Be strong and please stay healthy!
I am delighted and honoured to be one of Jim’s students at Chevening Fellowship programme in Sussex University, when I first came there in 2000. Meeting Jim and Peter, my MA tutor was a landmark twist. Coming from a small country (Latvia) and being the only one there, his kindness and support to my humble wish to extend my studies, which was transformed by Jim into crazy idea to apply for another Chevening Fellowship (2003) and return to Sussex, opened a completely new chapter in my life. I would not be too humble to say – he was a truly inspiring and most sincere and kindest person, one of those mentors I will cherish in my memories. I am so happy I managed to maintain friendship with Peter through all those years. I therefore extend my deepest condolences to Peter and of course to.Jim`s wife and any other his loved ones and friends. Be strong and please stay healthy!
I am deeply saddened by Jim’s passing.
During my Erasmus at InterAnalysis, I had the chance to get to know him and I immediately realized how highly skilled he was. Behind an initial reserve, one could quickly discover his approachable nature, which made him a very valuable presence.
My heartfelt condolences are with Jim’s family and all who loved him.
Very sad news. I will remember Jim as a wise and witty man — I still recall several of his punchy sayings about life and economics even twenty years later. But above all, I will remember him as someone who truly enjoyed life. My deepest condolences to his family and colleagues.
I had the privilege of working with Jim (also Willlie Paterson and Charlie Lees) as editors of JCMS for seven years – becoming co E-in-C with Jim after Willie ‘retired’. Working with Jim was a delight – I learned a huge amount from him. Thoughtful, sharp and diplomatic – he was also great company.
Thank you. It was lovely to read all these warm tributes to Jim. One detail was not mentioned was that he was honoured for his work at the FCO in the 1999 Queen’s birthday honours with a Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. As a proud Scot he wore it with the St. George side hidden and the St. Michael siide showing.
When the new Department of Politics & Contemporary European Studies (as it was initially called) was founded in 2006, I became the initial Head of Department and Jim was an extremely important colleague with whom I had many discussions about plans for the new department. I always found him amenable, constructive and engaging. He was a huge character and his presence around Sussex (and no doubt elsewhere) will be missed.
I first “encountered” Jim in 1978 as a young GES economist working in the Scottish Office on agricultural issues. Jim had just published a Wye College discussion paper setting out the ins-and-outs of the green exchange rate…that by which EU minimum farm prices were translated into sterling. To say the least it was a much valued document for us mere mortals trying to get our heads around this newfangled currency mechanism! Later in my academic career at Edinburgh University and editor of the JCMS I got to know Jim well, and was privileged to call him a friend. He was a genuinely lovely person, bright, funny and could always see the bright side. I’m terribly sad at his passing and will remember him as a dear and supportive friend.
I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Though I knew him before, I succeeded him as JCMS editor in 2010 and got to know him a bit better around that that time. He was always entertaining and good company, as well as being sharp and insightful.
Jim was unforgettable. Bright ,warm and funny.He and I were coeds of JCMS..He was also a hugely helpful member of the management Committee of the Institute I directed.It was a great privilege to act in an advisory role to Sussex when Jim asked me.
Jim defied every cliche about economists (dismal science) and Scots(dour).I think in another life he must have been Italiam
Jim was a true original. A first rate economist, who understood the politics as well as the economics of his craft, a ceaselessly inquiring mind ever ready to question conventional wisdom, a wryly witty observer of the human condition and a kind and generous friend who was always excellent company. He will be much missed by everyone who was fortunate to have known him.
It is so sad to hear that Jim has passed. Our paths crossed briefly at Sussex and the TPO but I well remember how he seemed to immediately treat me like an old friend. I think we were in a Mayfair pub when we met – something to do with rules of origin, high-flying consultants, international consortia and grandiose plans for a blockchain. Jim clearly had a great sense of humour and really had fun with the ridiculous parts of the situation, but at the same time he was serious and insightful about economics and topics close to his heart. My sincere condolences to all who loved and worked with him.