John Ellis, 1953-2011

An academic, a gardener and a keen Sheffield Wednesday fan, John Ellis will be remembered as a traditional academic with a "mischievous" sense of humour.

Professor Ellis was born in 1953 in Sheffield and excelled as a scholar from an early age. He went on to study economics and geography at the University of Sheffield a year before most of his peers.

After his undergraduate degree he moved to the University of Manchester to study for a doctorate, and followed this up with a diploma in management at Trent Polytechnic (now Nottingham Trent University) and then an MBA at Sheffield.

Academic and industry roles followed, including a senior lectureship at Trent Business School and a job as strategic appraisal manager for Robertson Research.

In 1988, he was appointed principal lecturer in business policy at what is now Bournemouth University, where he was to remain for most of his career.

During his time at Bournemouth he took on many academic positions, and in 2006 was made director of planning and information, a job he held until September 2009.

In 2011, he was appointed visiting professor in international management at the University of Northampton.

In his spare time he was involved in many activities, including roles as a Scout leader, a church warden at St Mary's, Nottingham and a football referee. In his later years he developed an interest in gardening.

Julie Robson, director of enterprise and acting head of marketing at Bournemouth, a long-term friend of Professor Ellis, said there were many facets to his character: "To our students, John was a somewhat traditional academic, setting high standards for himself and [them]. He prided himself on the quality of his teaching and was well liked and respected.

"To new colleagues, John was a mentor, advising on how best to succeed in the academic world with a mix of constructive support and honest advice.

"To those of us who had known him for many years, he was a good friend with a mischievous sense of humour."

Professor Robson added: "John was a private man and few colleagues knew of his passion for travel and sailing. He really did live life to the full, squeezing in as many holidays as he could each year to far-flung places with his wife Sue.

"His enthusiasm and energy, his great sense of fairness and support of others, and his friendship will be greatly missed."

Professor Ellis died on 21 October after suffering a stroke. He is survived by his wife.

sarah.cunnane@tsleducation.com.