Digby Jacks: a dedicated trade unionist and a great friend to the All Party Insurance & Financial Services Group

I was deeply saddened to learn of Digby's death and endorse fully David's comments. Digby was a real character and despite our obvious political differences I always enjoyed meeting and debating with him. I am certain that many people working in the insurance and financial services industry owe Digby a great debt of gratitude for the work he did, often unseen and unappreciated, to press the case for worker's rights and interests. As David mentions he was also very alert to industry trends and spoke out in favour of the consumer interest on many occasions. His views may have been unpalatable to many but he was right about PPI and I dare say much else besides. It was a pleasure to have known him and I do hope that his many friends from the past will raise a glass in his memory. He would have liked that. John Greenway

Posted by: John greenway, 18 Nov 2011 | 16:43

Digby Jacks was a tireless and relentless trade unionist who campaigned relentlessly on behalf of members and finance sector workers. I had the privilege of working closely with Digby over many years when I was the MSF National Secretary at Legal and General. I was elected into that position at the tender age of 23 and Digby was the MSF Regional Officer. From day one, he was supportive, encouraging and impressive. He offered me a lot of personal support and gave me a huge amount of his time. He made many friends at Legal & General in both the union and management. At his retirement do, there were as many senior managers and an ex-CEO present as there were union colleagues. Make no mistake, this was not a reflection of Digby being a soft touch, but a sign of their respect for his capacity to understand their industry and the issues they faced. I kept in touch with Digby over the years and his work for the Alliance for Finance carried on well after his retirement from UNITE. Digby was a man of huge intellect, integrity, honesty and loyalty. His funeral on Friday was a fitting tribute to all those things and more. He will be missed by many people.

Posted by: Andy Cook, 21 Nov 2011 | 09:10

Picking up the I (Independent) today I was very sad to hear of the death of Digby. In the late sixties and early 70s we battled against each other in the Radical Students Alliance and Anti Communist Group. Digby understood our concerns about the rising negative influence of Trotskyite groups within the Socialist movement. I was surprised at Digby's confidence in trying to persuade me of the Communist way: he was superb at organising meetings but not exactly convincing. Our paths continued to cross regularly and there was always open political debate. I was part of BIFU (Banking, Insurance and Finance Union) and he was part of MSF. We could talk openly and differ without any hard feelings. I remember his election as President of NUS and concerns I had. The last time I saw him was when the two of us were discussing the problems and ambitions of being a Labour Councillor. I was always surprised at a person with such communist convictions became a Labour Councillor. That is not meant as a criticism but as a compliment to somebody I had the greatest respect for and someone I should have remained in contact with when I left London ten years ago. Rest in peace, you were a star. David Evans

Posted by: David Evans, 21 Nov 2011 | 23:57

I negotiated opposite Digby on and off for around 25 years. He as the national representative for ASTMS, MSF and so on; me as Group Head of Employee Relations for Philips Electronics. He was a total professional and one of the hardest workers I have met. Whilst he often fell-out with members of the union hierachy, he was always courteous and friendly with Company managers, because he knew that good relationships made for good business for his members. He had a big heart and would take up the challenge of an individuals grievance or a tribunal case as if the members life depended on him - because he knew in economic terms it often did. He was one of the few officials who took an in depth interest in our various businesses. He wanted to understand the challenges that our managers and his members faced. Digby hated show and extravagance - whe we met for a Chinese lunch in Raynes Park at Company expense to chew over issues he would always eat from the £5 fixed menu. He was a great guy and I will never forget him

Posted by: Howard Cohen, 28 Nov 2011 | 11:48