It is with deep regret and great sadness that Dartford Borough Council announces
the death of Graham Harris, who suffered a heart attack and passed away on
Monday.
Graham came to Dartford as Director of Finance in 1989 and had been the Council’s
Managing Director for almost 20 years.
Jeremy Kite, Leader of Dartford Borough Council said, “It is hard to summarise in a
few words Graham’s enormous contribution to the Council and to Dartford. It is no
exaggeration to say that every one of the new facilities, public spaces and initiatives
that have been delivered over many years – from the football stadium to Central
Park, from the Bridge development to business centres – bore Graham’s signature.
It has been his leadership and control of the Council’s finances over many years that
has put us in such a strong position today. He ensured that the Council ran with
probity, decency and financial responsibility. Graham was also a thoroughly nice
man.
“He frequently understated his talents and rarely sought recognition for his
achievements. It was a privilege to work with him and his loss at a time when we all
believed he had recovered from a long illness and was planning to return to work is
devastating. We will miss him terribly.”