1962–2014

The British Dental Association's (BDA) Senior Employment Relations Officer, Andy Williams, has sadly died after a short illness at the age of 52.

I first met Andy in the mid-80s when we were activists together in the Civil and Public Services Association (CPSA), which was then the largest civil service trade union. Andy worked for the Welsh Office in Cardiff and held many union posts in the department, becoming the chair of the trade union side, responsible for all negotiations with management and managing a dedicated staff of local representatives.

Andy was also a feisty and intelligent contributor to wider union debates in a famously combative trade union, but his contributions were always intelligent and well accepted, tinged with goodwill and humour. His many friends across the union were a testament to the high regard in which he was held by all factions.

Andy's many years of dedicated service to members in the department were ended when he applied and obtained the BDA's newly created Industrial Relations Officer post, established in Cardiff.

Andy's passion for working with salaried services dentists to help them to help themselves was apparent from the beginning. He achieved enormous results for salaried dentists both individually and collectively. He assisted many members in Wales and across the rest of the UK on a one-to-one basis, helping them resolve often complex and traumatic personal issues.

A notable achievement was to lead the negotiation of new terms and conditions for salaried dentists across the UK. The staff and members that worked with Andy in this sometimes fraught and lengthy process have paid tribute to his determination and skill in achieving a successful outcome in the face of significant challenges.

Another of Andy's lasting legacies to dentists throughout the UK was the development of a network of well-trained and well-informed local accredited representatives, who were in turn supported by a team of dedicated employment relations officers led by him.

Andy was tireless in his development of this structure. He was quiet but dogged; generous and winning; intelligent and persuasive.

The many tributes received from members who Andy represented individually also pay tribute to his skill and determination to achieve the best outcomes for people in difficulty. Being described by one member as 'professional, witty, smart and caring'.

Andy's death has left a large hole in all our lives that will be impossible to fill. His family have lost a loving partner, father, son and brother. We, his colleagues, have lost an inspiration, friend and soul mate. The members have lost a caring and dedicated professional.

The world has lost a wonderful human being, for which we are all the poorer.