Ken Hall made a distinguished contribution to ICA for over a quarter of a century. He was a key member of the group that built up the Section of Professional Associations (SPA) in ICA from the early 1980s onwards. He held office as SPA's Secretary 1989-90, Vice-Chairman 1991-92 and Chairman 1993-94. He also served as an elected member of the ICA Executive Committee from 1990 to 1994. Although in the 1990s he had heavy responsibilities in the United Kingdom running a major local authority record office, he found the time to serve as Project Director of ARCHISS (Archival Survey for Climate History), and at various times on the Janus Editorial Board and the Sub-Commission for Communication. After his retirement in 2003, he worked in a voluntary capacity for the Extended ICA Secretariat. He was widely admired for his masterly handling of complex issues related to the Memory of the World programme and support for archives in Iraq. The importance of his work for ICA was recognized by his appointment as its first ever chargé de mission in 2006.

Ken Hall had the considerable gift of commanding respect and inspiring affection at the same time. His contributions in ICA meetings were always fair and to the point. He also had a great sense of humour, which enabled him to act as a bridge-builder even in the most unpromising of circumstances. In his various roles in ICA, Ken's passion to improve international cooperation among archivists always shone through.

With Ken's passing the ICA Secretariat loses one of its pillars. He could always be relied upon to help out with the improvement of texts and to lighten the atmosphere in tense situations. He will be greatly missed.

Ken's funeral will take place on Friday 20 June at 2pm, at St. Mary's Church, Little Sampford, Essex, United Kingdom.