TOM GARVEY APPRECIATION
Tom Garvey, who has died suddenly in Brussels following a short illness, had a distinguished career with the European Commission and was a staunch supporter of the then Society of Designers in Ireland during its formative years.
As chief executive of Córas Tráchtála, he oversaw the development of CTT's design section and was supportive of many initiatives during this period. He was appointed a member of the board of the National College of Art during a period of great turbulance at the NCA when members of the board were threatened with actual violence.
At that time, design in Ireland was a matter of spirited controversy and when Tom Garvey was appointed chairman of the second design council by the minister for industry and commerce, Patrick Lalor, he had to mediate between a range of different factions. The council reported to a different minister, Justin Keating, and the policies agreed set the tone for subsequent developments in design education and promotion. The SDI was represented on the council by the late Raymond McGrath and Raymond Kyne.
After leaving CTT, Tom Garvey served as the ambassador of the EEC in Nigeria before returning to Brussels to work in a variety of senior positions in the Commission.
Tom Garvey Appreciation by Paul Hogan FIDI