We are saddened to announce that Graham Searle, a founder, and former General Manager of the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club has passed away after a period of illness on 7th December 2022, aged 71. Graham leaves behind his daughter Nicola, son Paul and wife Lynne.
Graham was a complete Jaguar devotee throughout his life. It was that devotion that led him to purchase his first Jaguar, a 340. At the time, Graham was working for NatWest Bank and was once told off when he was caught parking his Jaguar next to the bank manager’s bicycle. Not the ‘done thing’ for a lowly clerk at the time!
In 1984, prompted by the feeling that there was a need for a club with a wider appeal for the Jaguar owner who carried out their own maintenance, a meeting took place between Graham and nine others at an Autojumble in the South of England. That group of ten people, including Graham, would lay the ground for what would later become the formation of the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club. It was officially launched on 1st December 1984, with the agreement of Jaguar Cars to use the name. The first event was held at the Bristol Classic Car Show.
In 1988, after a spell working for the bank in London, Graham and family returned to Bristol where he had been appointed a managerial role in the bank’s applications department as part of the Thatcher government’s privatisation programme. In 1991, Graham was appointed chairman of the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club for the following year.
It was in 1993 though, that life would really change for Graham. The Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club had been growing significantly and the rapid increase in workload was getting too great to juggle with a day – job. This came at the same time as the bank, having now completed its work on the government’s privatisation programme, offered Graham a redundancy package, which he gleefully accepted. Graham then immediately became the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club General Manager, initially working from home, along with wife Lynne running the membership administration and Philippa Fox who remained with the Club for 27 years.
Graham would oversee the club gaining its first headquarters, the rented Old Library, and the subsequent move to purchase the current offices in Bristol.
Throughout this time, it’s fair to say that Graham could be considered a friend of every single member of the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club. Within the Club, Graham was universally liked and respected, but the appreciation for his devotion to the Club and the Jaguar marque was felt across the global Jaguar family and indeed the wider classic car industry. Put simply, everyone knew Graham, and everyone was touched by his passion for the cars, the Club, and the classic car world in its diverse entirety. Graham will always be remembered for his tireless devotion to the Club’s members and their needs.
Speaking in a recent interview with the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club Podcast, Graham cited the Royal Windsor Jaguar Festival as one of his proudest achievements with the Club. Over 1,200 cars met on the iconic Long Walk, in front of Windsor Castle, with a timeline parade of some 240 Jaguars driving through the castle grounds, through the town and into the quadrangle to be greeted by HRH Prince Edward. The event raised over one hundred thousand pounds for the Prince Phillip Trust Fund charity that year.
Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club Chairman, Peter Purdom reflects on Graham’s life:
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Graham and the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club are inextricably linked – it is hard to think of one without the other. I have never met anyone with a bad word to say about Graham and I have had the pleasure of working with him over several years as a co-director, including my previous 2 years as chairman in 2015-2017. He always made time for members and went out of his way to make sure that problems were resolved in a timely manner. With his retirement in 2021, it was a pleasure to announce his appointment as a Vice-President of the Club, I’m only sorry that he didn’t get to enjoy more time in retirement. Both Graham and Lynne have become friends for Angie and I and he will be very much missed – our special love goes to Lynne and the family. Graham will never be forgotten and there will be many a time on future Jaguar events when glasses will be raised in memory of a very special man – if I’m on them, I’ll make sure of it!
Peter Purdom
Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club Chairman
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Graham appointed James Blackwell as Assistant General Manager in 2010, and the pair worked very closely together during that time. Graham passed on a lot of experience and encouragement during those years and so, when Graham announced his retirement in 2021, James was the natural choice to succeed him with Graham’s continuing support.
James Blackwell looks back on happy times working with Graham:
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For me, Graham was so much more than just my boss, he was my mentor. He not only taught me all I need to know about club life, but so many other pearls of wisdom along the way. I have always admired how he could talk to anyone, from King Charles, who he met recently, to a young, naïve, and fresh faced me who walked into the JEC office nearly thirteen years ago all eager and excitable. Working with him was always an absolute pleasure, from long days in the office to various track days and events. He had an energy and passion for the Club that was palpable, often being the first on site at an event and the last to leave, all the while smiling and chatting away. There are few people that understand the work required to run a club of this size, but Graham made it look easy and helped guide me in taking over the reins. He always had time for all Club members, he made everyone feel welcome and part of the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club family. It always felt as if nothing was too much trouble for him. I will forever be in his debt, as without someone of his character and patience, I know I would not be in such a privileged position. As a wonderful consequence of working with Graham, I have an amazing personal map of small villages dotted around the country and their finest pubs due to Graham’s ability to sniff out an excellent pint, a pleasure we both enjoyed. Graham was a very kind and generous man, not only with his time, but also with his knowledge and friendship. I remember he and Lynne gifting odd bits of furniture to myself and Jennie for our first house and later he even lent me his car for a few weeks after my son was born 8-weeks premature, his beloved “V8 PUS”. Jennie and I shall be raising a glass this weekend in his honour, and I hope you will all join me. God speed Graham.
James Blackwell
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Graham was recognised by the classic car community when he was awarded the coveted and well-deserved accolade of Lifetime Achievement Award at the Classic and Sportscar Magazine Awards in November 2021. After a standing ovation from those present, the judges explained that they had been unanimous in their decision. An example of how the wider classic car industry held Graham in such high regard.
The Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club send our deepest condolences and heartfelt thoughts to Graham’s wife Lynne, children Nicola and Paul, and to his many friends in the UK and around the world for their loss.
Funeral arrangements
Date: 29thDecember 2022
Time: 12:30pm
Venue: Westerleigh Crematorium, Westerleigh Rd, Westerleigh, Bristol. BS37 8QP
Everyone is welcome to join for the funeral and the wake taking place at the same venue afterwards to celebrate Graham’s life. Graham wished people to wear their Jaguar stuff with pride and no all black please. If you would like to attend can you please let us know direct at office@jec.org.uk .
We ask that you only communicate directly with the Club to allow Graham’s wife and children their privacy at this difficult time.
