Ken Corsar

Health board chairman and former education director; a Master of Education qualification, eventually graduating with another first-class honours degree.

In 1975, Mr Corsar took the unusual step of moving directly from a teaching post to a senior position in the directorate of Strathclyde Region’s education department. Two years later he and his family moved to the Lanarkshire town of Strathaven.

For the next 20 years, he was intimately involved in shaping the education of thousands of young people across Scotland through his chairmanship of a number of key national bodies.

One of his greatest challenges emerged in the 1980s when Strathclyde, and Glasgow in particular, faced the prospect of a wholesale reappraisal of its educational needs as a result of falling school rolls. Mr Corsar’s calm approach, careful planning and tactful management of the situation earned him the respect of teachers, parents and administrators.

His significant contribution to education was recognised in 1995 when, after local government reorganisation and the demise of Strathclyde Region, he was appointed director of education for Glasgow City Council, the biggest of Scotland’s new local authorities.

He was also elected vice-president and later president of the Association of Directors of Education Scotland.

Mr Corsar was a hugely talented educational administrator whose counsel was regularly sought by colleagues and organisations throughout the country. His formidable intellect and steely resolve combined to assure success in a host of initiatives in which he was involved over the years.

In particular, his support for disadvantaged young people and those with special educational needs was exceptional. During his time in charge of education in Glasgow he oversaw major improvements in the quality of schools and teaching throughout the city.

Mr Corsar’s decision to take early retirement from Glasgow District Council in 2002 by no means brought an end to his public service career. He became Scottish director for the National Deaf Children’s Society, a position he held until 2005.

Two years earlier he had joined the board of NHS Lanarkshire as a non-executive director and in 2005 he was appointed the body’s chairman, a position he held until his death.

A devoted husband and family man, Mr Corsar’s wife Mary predeceased him in 2010. He enjoyed a particularly close relationship with his two sons, Malcolm and Kenneth, who appreciated hi s unfail i ng s uppor t and encouragement.

He is survived by Malcolm and Kenneth, their respective wives Pamela and Clare, and his granddaughter Stella.