In loving memory of David Hesketh

Today we commemorate the life of David Hesketh, a dear colleague and friend of the Centre for Customs and Excise Studies (CCES) and the International Network of Customs Universities (INCU). 

Sadly, having lost his brave battle with cancer, David will be laid to rest today. 

Having obtained his Master in International Customs Law and Administration and the CCES medal for excellence, David was appointed as a member of the INCU Advisory Board and an Adjunct Lecturer at Charles Sturt University where he researched, developed and delivered courses on Supply Chain Management, Supply Chain Security, Customs Duty Reliefs and the European Union Customs Code. 

David was a highly regarded customs expert with extensive international experience, having worked with a wide range of organisations including HM Revenue and Customs (where he worked for 42 years), the World Customs Organization, International Monetary Fund, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, UK Department for International Development, and Crown Agents. 

Since 2007 David had been pioneering the data pipeline concept for end-to-end supply chain visibility. His data pipeline innovation concepts are now coming to fruition following his work in three EU funded projects: Integrity; Cassandra; and CORE, and the UK Border Strategy for 2025 includes data pipelines as key elements of a trade single window. 

David will be greatly missed by all his customs colleagues and friends. 

Rest in peace David. 

Professor David Widdowson
CEO, CCES and President, INCU
22 November 2021