GCRO bids farewell to its founding executive director
As most of our partners and associates are by now aware, the founding executive director of the GCRO, David Everatt, has left the organisation and will now head the School of Governance at the University of the Witwatersrand. During the farewell functions that were held, members of staff and the board conveyed to him their appreciation for the remarkable work he did in establishing the GCRO and transforming it into a significant player within the urban research landscape in South Africa. David was appointed in late 2008 and during the course of 2009 he oversaw the appointment of the first staff members. At the time of his departure, GCRO consisted of 14 staff members who are implementing 26 projects across 6 key thematic research areas. The methodology for the fourth Quality of Life survey was finalised and a data collection process commissioned just before David left. Those who remain in the organisation feel that he positioned the GCRO well for a changing political, economic and urban landscape, and empowered its staff to contribute to current debates between the academic-politics nexus. Staff of the GCRO would like to reiterate their appreciation of the way in which David mentored them, providing the space to develop as academics in their own right. Though his spirited presence in the office is missed, the staff wish David every success in this new phase of his vocation, and are extremely proud and grateful to have worked alongside him. An appointment process for a new executive director is under way. In the meantime, Chris Wray has kindly agreed to serve as acting Executive Director until a new appointment is finalised.
Letter from David Everatt notifying partners of his departure:
Dear colleague,
It is with sadness that I am writing to inform you that I will be leaving the Gauteng City-Region Observatory at the end of the month. I am however also excited at what lies ahead, since I am taking up the role of head of School at the Wits School of Governance. My colleague Mr Chris Wray, Senior Systems Manager, has been appointed by the Board as the Acting Director, and he has my complete support, as he does the support of all the staff and Board; I am sure he will have yours as well, and I know he’ll do a great job of managing GCRO in the interim phase between Directors. I am happy to say that GCRO is in extremely good health, with a robust team in place, three exciting young post-doctoral students joining us in October, a substantial budget, an ambitious slate of projects and outputs, and our largest-ever (minimum 30 000 sample) Quality of Life survey about to go into field. This is a long way from 2008, when I was the only staff member of the GCRO, rattling around in our lovely but very empty offices. It has been a long and really terrific seven and a half year journey, but at a personal level I felt the need for new challenges; I hope to remain at least tangentially involved with GCRO, even if only as a supporter cheering from the sidelines.
To all those of you who have worked with us, given us great feedback (not always positive, but always helpful), given us compliments or guidance or merely read and engaged with our output, my sincere thanks; and I hope you join me in wishing Chris, and all the staff – and the new Executive Director, when s/he is appointed – all the best for a fantastic future.
David Everatt