In memoriam: Sir Ewan Harper CBE (1939-2026)

Sir Ewan Harper was educated at Marlborough College, where he was a very able and successful pupil. He played hockey and golf well, though golf was then seen as outside the main life of the school. Towards the end of his time there, his older brother was killed in a flying accident while serving in the RAF during National Service, a loss that hit the family hard.

Ewan came into his own at Trinity Hall when he joined in 1958. Gregarious by nature, he enjoyed the company of positive, intelligent people and made many friendships that lasted well beyond Cambridge. He played Stymies golf and College hockey. Robert Runcie, then Dean, did much to shape his life.

After Cambridge, Ewan joined his father in the family business, Harper and Tunstall, originally based in Edgware and later relocated to Wellingborough. Ewan and Jenny set up their family home at Titchmarsh House, where they lived for more than 50 years with their son and three daughters. After the sale of the business, Ewan was able to pursue the work that interested him, particularly in education and the Church of England.

His knighthood in 2003 recognised his services to the Church of England. Much of this related to his role as a founding Trustee, Secretary and later Chairman of the Lambeth Trust, founded in 1983 to support the work and mission of present and former Archbishops of Canterbury. The Trust provided funds for initiatives in areas such as evangelism, the renewal of religious life and work towards reconciliation, giving Archbishops and former Archbishops the resources to take personal initiatives beyond the usual processes of Anglican decision making. Ewan’s role made him a valued confidante and supporter of several Archbishops of Canterbury. He retired from the Trust in 2014 after 31 years of service. He also directed the restoration of the historic Chapel at Lambeth Palace, which had never fully recovered from bomb damage in the Second World War.

Ewan also made extensive contributions to UK secondary education. He held several school governorships and was CEO of the United Church Schools Trust for over ten years. He later became CEO and Founding Director of the United Learning Trust, which sponsored 21 City Academies, many in areas where progression to higher education was below the national average. This placed him at the vanguard of the academy movement in the early 2000s.

At Trinity Hall, Professor Andrew Murray recalls Ewan’s keen interest in widening participation and outreach, particularly work supporting teachers advising university applicants. Ewan facilitated several events, including a science conference for teachers at Trinity Hall, and was always eager to hear when applicants inspired by outreach work were motivated to apply to Cambridge.