gerard fairtlough

Gerard Fairtlough, the founder and former Chairman of Triarchy Press, died on 15th December 2007. Gerard was an inspiration to all who knew and worked with him and he brought a singular elegance to his work, whether as an author, businessman or academic. He established Triarchy Press in 2005 in order to share his ideas on alternatives to hierarchy and the company was launched on publication of his seminal work The Three Ways of Getting Things Done: Hierarchy, Heterarchy and Responsible Autonomy in Organizations.

Gerard's son Matthew Fairtlough has now joined Triarchy Press and, together, we are determined to build on Gerard's legacy. In 2008 we will offer an extended range of publications that challenge our assumptions about the way society and organizations work, including a pamphlet on innovation and openness in organisations, which Gerard was working on at the time of his sudden death.

A Memorial Service will be held in London on 28th June 2008. Please contact us if you would like details. You can also read Gerard's obituary in The Independent here.

Rosie Beckham

Earlier this year, Rosie Beckham, who founded Triarchy Press with Gerard and worked closely with him on a number of publishing projects, took the decision to leave Triarchy Press. In her words:

"Uncertainty and change, the twin concerns of our age, come de facto in various guises. For Triarchy Press, the unexpected and tragic hit us when Gerard Fairtlough, the founder and chairman of Triarchy Press died in December last year. Gerard's intellectual acuity linked to business acumen and pragmatism was demonstrated throughout his working life and his influence has spread beyond in his writing and lecturing. He inspired everyone who came into contact with him but perhaps none more than the team he put together to start Triarchy.

Gerard Fairtlough is assured of a place of note in the organisational world, where many are taking his ideas and practices forward. His influence persists in Triarchy Press whose team will now be led by Matthew Fairtlough, Gerard's eldest son, and Andrew Carey. This is a good outcome for the staff, authors and friends of Triarchy.

I learned many valuable lessons from Gerard - about the benefits of the long view to organisational success, about dispersed leadership in heterarchical work practices but, perhaps above all, about openness and trust. To those of you with whom I have been fortunate to work in the development of Triarchy's publishing programme, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you. I have learned much of great value from you. For, whilst the experience of working closely with such a generous, insightful man is worth its weight in gold, so too has been the opportunity that has allowed me to engage with your ideas and talents. These are good things to take away with me as I step down from Triarchy Press.

With all good wishes, Rosie Beckham"