From Nigel D

It is with much sadness that I report the passing of Bernard Sayers, the long time head of Marconi Radar’s  Estimating Department. I attended his funeral yesterday (4th July 2024). Bernard was truly unique, a massive character in every sense of the word. His lifelong passion for nature established him as a world renowned ornithological expert and breeder of rare bird species. He had a wicked sense of humour which at work was often manifested in the form of practical jokes which would be visited on any member of senior management for whom he had little regard. I’m sure that he would have been looking down on us at the service yesterday with his trademark look of staged distain for any formality. None of us there would have wanted it any other way! RIP Bernard.

From Jeremy T

What always amazed me is how accurate, with hindsight, his estimates were. Bernard was a gentleman who came under a lot of pressure from the Directors of the time to reduce his forecast costs but to his credit refused to do so. He was usually proved right. RIP Bernard.

From Ken W

Sad news indeed.  Bernard was a very helpful person, I recall how he helped when i needed attachments for my apprentices.  Always had time for people, and birds.  Some in Management just could not get their heads around him, he did not dress or act like a Manager in some eyes - but Estimating was highly respected due to him and his Staff by many.

From Malcolm M

As far as I was concerned Bernard Sayers was the Estimating Department. I first met Bernard through Reg Daniels, Deputy Engineering Development Manager, when we were putting the Martello S723 TX Reconfiguration Programme together; for re-engineering the TX Modules on all the radars. A few years later I had dealings with him when I was working on Bid Management. I seem to remember that he used to visit with his ‘wingman’ Ron Hurrell. Always felt that Bernard was testing you as to whether you should be allowed into the inner most detail of the information that he was about to part with. He was a complex character, but a joy to work with.

RIP Bernard.