Professor Geoffrey Walton
It is with great sadness that GWP Consultants LLP (GWP) announces the passing of its founder, Professor Geoffrey Walton on 25th February 2025.
Having worked in the Opencast Executive of the National Coal Board, Geoff, at the comparatively young age of 34, established the Geoffrey Walton Practice as an independent consultancy in 1973. He moved to Charlbury in 1976 to be near the Bodleian Library, an important literature resource in pre-internet days. Thereafter, he was a pioneering force in practical mining geology and geotechnical engineering in the extractive industry. He forged collaborative links between business and the leading UK mining schools so as to provide support and direction to new geologists and engineers and to setup spinoff research activities (Dustscan and Blast Log). Geoff’s approach to consultancy was always to provide applied science solutions to problems as well as to embrace new technology and innovative research. He was also very keen on the writing of reports that were clear and concise.
The Practice went from strength to strength and was soon undertaking work throughout the UK, and internationally as far afield as Indonesia and Australia. The work on the opposite side of the world benefitted from his being able to meet with the client during the day, fax his requirements back to the office where they could be acted upon and the results faxed back to him to present the next day, before the locally based technical people had had a chance to work on them.
As an employer, Geoff was keen to see new staff members develop into the areas of the business they were most interested in. He gave freedom to those who wished to develop innovation and expand the business into new areas. Geoff’s passion for linking practical academia with the extractive industry has been most in evidence through the efforts he, and other committee members, put into the organising of the Extractive Industries Geology (EIG) conferences over the past decades. The ongoing prosperity of the EIG, and the encouragement of new geologists and engineers was one of Geoff’s passions.
Many of us still at GWP have had the privilege of working with Geoff over a number of decades, and he has been both a mentor and an inspiration for us all. Former staff who have moved onto pastures new, have done so taking with them the analytical rigor demanded by Geoff to provide clients with clear, concise and practical advice.
Geoff’s energy and enthusiasm for all activities will be missed.
Shannon Butler · Thu 6 Mar, 14:53 · Link