My friend Peter Sayers, who has died aged 78 from undiagnosed lung cancer, was a polymath. Trained in both science and art, over the course of his life he was a graphic designer, a teacher, an art school director, a dean of faculty and a website company creator.
While lecturing part-time at Farnham School of Art in the early 1980s, he pioneered the use of computers in art education. His subsequent rise was meteoric. Within two years he became head of department. He was then headhunted for the role of dean of faculty of arts and education at the University of Gloucester (1992-94), before becoming dean of faculty and head of Newport School of Art and Design (1994-97). After major policy differences, he changed course, setting up IDM, a company designing and maintaining company websites.
Peter was born in Westchester County, New York, to Mentana (nee Galleani) and Michael Sayers, an Irish writer who had moved to the US in 1936. In 1947, Peter’s parents having effectively separated, he and his older brother, Sean, left New York with their mother, to live in Ireland, France and Italy. Two years later, the family of three arrived in London, where Peter attended William Ellis grammar school, in Highgate, for his secondary education.
He then studied graphic design at Ravensbourne School of Art (1964-67), where he met Diana Charbit, whom he married in 1970. Three years later they relocated to Aberystwyth, mid-Wales, where Peter worked at the university drama department. They had two daughters, Vishni and Omma. In the late 70s, Peter met Lesley-Anne Davis and moved with her to London, where he worked as a graphic designer and photographer. His first marriage ended in divorce in the early 80s; he married Lesley-Anne in New York in 1987.
In 1992, Peter and Lesley-Anne settled in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, where they bought and restored a dilapidated regency mansion, and had two sons, Sam and Louis. The family moved to Princeton University for five months in 2005, while Lesley-Anne, a researcher and teacher in dance theory, was directing a production of the ballet Le Pas d’Acier. Peter made the published film as well as a working stage model, now in Dansmuseet in Stockholm, Sweden. Lesley-Anne died in 2010.
Peter was a minister-appointed commissioner on the Human Genetics Commission (2003-09), chaired the telecommunications advisory panel at Oftel (1999-2003) and chaired Communications for Business (2000-03). Locally, he was an NHS board member, a trustee at St Vincent’s charity and vice-chair of the Cheltenham Civic Society. He also exhibited his photographs in one-man shows.
A huge personality, Peter’s interests outside work ranged from beetles and books to collectibles, china and scientific instruments. He was also a great cook, hosting dinners for up to 20 guests, and the kindest and wisest of friends.
He is survived by his four children, seven grandchildren and brother, Sean.
