© Supplied by Jane Barlow/PA Wire On Monday, May 20, 2024, I received a poignant message from Paul Sheerin, the CEO of Scottish Engineering, requesting my presence as a speaker at the upcoming awards ceremony.
Due to an unexpected and distressing turn of events, Sir Geoff Palmer, who had graciously accepted our invitation to speak at this prestigious gathering months prior, now required urgent specialist treatment for his worsening health and was advised by his doctors to refrain from public appearances.
Having previously been invited to speak at the 2022 Awards – daunting yet transformative experience – I now faced an even greater challenge: representing Sir Geoff Palmer.
My first encounter with Sir Geoff was at an event orchestrated by Enoch Adeyemi for founders. I was immediately struck by his warmth and approachability.
Beneath that genial exterior lay a razor-sharp intellect, and he introduced us to the vital concept of “system consciousness,” a framework for driving genuine change in our communities.
Later, alongside my sister and AFBE Co-founder Dr Nike Folayan, I had the privilege of engaging with him directly. Unlike leaders who are quick to instruct and advise, Sir Geoff listened intently to our narrative, offered his encouragement, and shared his own remarkable story of immigrating to the UK from Jamaica in 1955.
Sir Geoff Palmer spoke of a fortuitous turn of events that shaped his life, noting that had he arrived just one month later, he would not have needed to immediately attend school.
A London school that later relegated him to a class for the “educationally sub-normal.” Instead, he became one of the most renowned scientists in the world.
In his typically avuncular fashion, Sir Geoff recounted a touching anecdote about forming an unexpected connection with a taxi driver in Maiduguri, Northern Nigeria, after introducing himself as Jamaican.
His character and wisdom reminded me so much of my late father, an academic who was born just a year after Sir Geoff.
He even shared a profound conversation with Bernie Grant, the UK’s first Black MP, encouraging him to pursue a political career.
Later that year, we had the distinct honour of hosting Sir Geoff Palmer at the AFBE-UK Gala and Awards. This event was not only a moment to celebrate his legacy but also an invaluable opportunity for me to absorb even more of his wisdom.
To encapsulate Sir Geoff in mere words is a daunting task, but several key attributes will forever resonate with me.
A champion of women
© Supplied by PASir Geoff Palmer was an unwavering champion for women, always acknowledging the vital role they played in his success.
Growing up, he faced significant challenges; his father, a shoemaker, left for America when Geoff was only 10. Sir Geoff was raised by a great aunt and eight sisters in Allman Town, Kingston, before eventually reuniting with his mother in London in 1955.
Geoff often spoke about the “women that fathered him,” reflecting his deep gratitude for their influence in his life.
This appreciation extended beyond his personal relationships. In 1964, after being interviewed by Professor Anna Macleod – the first female Professor of Brewing and Biochemistry – Sir Geoff earned a place to pursue a PhD in grain science and technology, joining forces with Heriot-Watt College and the University of Edinburgh.
A towering intellect
As a distinguished scientist, Sir Geoff Palmer made his mark in academia, particularly for his innovative work in the brewing and malting industries.
His contributions, especially the development of the barley abrasion process, fundamentally changed the global brewing landscape.
His remarkable achievements led him to receive the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in Brewing and Distillation, making him one of only four people in history to be honoured in this way – and the sole recipient from Europe.
A human rights activist
In his fight for social justice, Sir Geoff embodied the spirit captured by civil rights campaigner Angela Davis when she said, “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change; I am changing the things I cannot accept.”
This quote perfectly encapsulates Geoff’s character. He was deeply involved in community initiatives and played a significant role in reshaping Scotland’s understanding of its history.
A key aspect of his work was addressing the legacy of Henry Dundas and the impact of the delayed abolition of the slave trade on Scotland’s past. During the George Floyd protests in 2020, when activists were pulling down monuments, Palmer advocated for a more educational approach – suggesting that reinterpreting statues with historical context could effectively inform the public about Scotland’s connections to slavery.
Professional excellence and social conscience were not mutually exclusive
Sir Geoff Palmer’s professional excellence was matched by his commitment to social justice.
Like early female engineers like Hertha Ayrton or Laura Annie Willson, who were also pioneering suffragettes and abolitionists, he demonstrated that intellectual rigour and compassion can harmoniously coexist.
After our meeting with Nike, Geoff sent a thoughtful message, thanking us for “the good change we are making.”
He added something he had forgotten to mention – his suggestion to Guinness about using African grain sorghum instead of barley.
© Supplied by Andrew Milligan/PA WAlthough not well-received by the European industry at first, this approach was adopted by Guinness and has since improved the livelihoods of farmers growing sorghum in Africa.
At the 2024 Scottish Engineering Awards, I addressed an audience of over 700, highlighting how Sir Geoff’s life is a testament to the power of including the outsider. In a time of intense polarisation in public discourse, his example remains more relevant than ever.
We will deeply miss Sir Geoff’s wisdom, anecdotes, humour, and his unwavering advocacy for a fairer world. Yet, the indelible impact he made on our lives and on society will endure forever.
Dr Ollie Folayan MBE, Co-Chair of AFBE-UK Scotland, leads diversity initiatives with hubs in Aberdeen and Edinburgh. With over two decades of experience in the energy industry, he specialises in process safety and risk management and co-founded AFBE-UK.
AFBE-UK is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in engineering and technology. It empowers students and professionals from ethnic minority backgrounds to excel and thrive in their careers through impactful programmes and mentoring initiatives, including Transition and NextGen. The organisation aims to address the skills gap in the UK’s engineering sector and inspire the next generation of talent.
