Remembering Joe Royle – 1962-2025

Dear Members,

It is with utmost sorrow that The Safety Assessment Federation (SAFed) announce the passing of Mr Martin (Joe) Royle, the immediate past Technical Manager. His passing was sooner than expected, with retirement from SAFed in early 2023 being devastatingly cut short for Joe and his family after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

Joe was an integral part of SAFed, taking the role of Technical Manager in January 2015, through to his handover to Rachel Culpan in February 2023. Joe was an excellent right-hand man, he possessed the poise and patience to ‘herd the cats’, that is he had an excellent ability to move committees towards their targets. Joe worked with a quiet determination but those that were lucky enough to take a Guinness with him after the work was done would also be privy to his fun side and perceptible bounce.

From a personal point of view both myself and my husband Craig will miss the photo updates of what beach Joe was sitting on and with what beer he was armed. For being from different ends of the country and slightly different eras Joe and I had a very aligned view of the world we lived in, and how we wanted to live it, and I would be delighted when I got a chance to ponder this over dinner with him at the union Jack Club.

Our thoughts are with Joe’s family at this very sad time. A virtual Book of Remembrance is available at https://rememberancebook.net/book/joe-royle/ and your messages would be appreciated.

I write this with a very heavy heart and a huge appreciation that SAFed is what it is today because of Joe’s contribution.

Yours sincerely,

Caroline Hamilton

Chief Executive, The Safety Assessment Federation