Graham Wattley Explained

Graham Richard Wattley (12 March 1930 – 28 November 2017) was a British public servant who was the Director of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre of the Department of Transport in the United Kingdom between 1985 and 1990.[1]

Career

After finishing his secondary education at Devonport High School for Boys, Wattley served for a year as a pilot officer in the RAF, before beginning a career in the Civil Service.[1] He initially served within the Ministry of Works between 1950 and 1971, before moving to the Department of the Environment (1971–1973) and then the Department of Transport.[1] Most of his time with the Department of Transport was spent with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre (now the DVLA), of which he was appointed Director in 1985.[1] Under his leadership, the public reputation and efficiency of the DVLC improved, and he also worked to raise the sense of corporate identity among the staff.[2] He retired from his position in 1990.[1]

Personal life

Wattley later resided in Swansea with his second wife.[1] His first wife, Yvonne (née Heale), whom he married in 1953, died in 1990.[1] Wattley then remarried in 1997, to Rose Daniel (née Dawson).[1] He had three children from his first marriage.[1]

Amongst his interests, Wattley listed walking, cooking and birdwatching.[1] This first interest led him to spend ten years as a Walk Leader for HF Holidays.[1] He was also a Christian, serving as a member of the governing body of the Church in Wales between 1992 and 1994 and a Warden of St Paul's Church, Sketty from 1991 to 1996.[1] He continued to be involved in this church, and was the chair of the Sketty PCC.[3]

Wattley died on 28 November 2017, at the age of 87.[1]

Notes and References

  1. 'Wattley, Graham Richard', Who Was Who 2023, A & C Black, 2011; online edn, Oxford University Press, 18 December 2017 (accessed 21 November 2023).
  2. News: Swansea gears up to become agent of reform. The Times. 13 June 1988.
  3. Web site: Parish of Sketty - P.C.C. . https://web.archive.org/web/20120331225928/http://www.parishofsketty.org.uk/page21.html . 31 March 2012 . dead .