This memorial is to celebrate the life of Timothy John Beardson. He devoted his early life to politics and then went into finance. He founded Crosby Financial Holdings, Hong Kong, which was at its time the largest independent investment bank in the Far East. His joy was writing and speaking particularly on political, economic and strategic issues. He also mentored young entrepreneurs while active with his charitable work. Timothy was instrumental in establishing the China Oxford Scholarship Fund (COSF) in the UK and was a COSF trustee in Hong Kong where he was also Chairman and later the International Chairman of the Fund. Although he had
stepped back from active involvement in the charity in recent times, his and
Clair’s hospitality was legendary and enjoyed by us all at the Hailey summer lunches
which for many years contributed so much to COSF and the China Oxford scholars. He was also the author of the acclaimed book, "Stumbling Giant: The Threats to China's Future" which was nominated for the Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction. Timothy was devoted to his wife Clair and his son Peregrine. We shall miss him.
我们以本颂词纪念谭宝信先生的一生。他早年涉足政治,而后投身金融事业之中。1984年,他在香港成立了高诚证券有限公司,在当时是远东最大的独立投资银行。他平时爱好写作,并且热衷于开展政治、经济和战略方面的公共演讲。在活跃于慈善事业的同时,他积极地对青年企业家进行辅导。早年中国牛津奖学金(COSF)在英国筹建的过程中,谭宝信先生做出过举足轻重的贡献。当时他是香港基金会董事之一,而后又成为了COSF全球主席。虽然近来他不再参与基金会的具体日常工作,他和Clair的热情好客却为人津津乐道,多年来,我们在Hailey夏日午餐会上都感到宾至如归,午餐会也为COSF学者们做出了巨大贡献。他广受好评的著作《跛脚的巨人:中国即将爆发的危机》,曾经获得过巴美列捷福奖非小说类提名。他深爱着他的妻子 Clair 以及他的儿子 Peregrine。我们将会永远怀念他。
我们以本颂词纪念谭宝信先生的一生。他早年涉足政治,而后投身金融事业之中。1984年,他在香港成立了高诚证券有限公司,在当时是远东最大的独立投资银行。他平时爱好写作,并且热衷于开展政治、经济和战略方面的公共演讲。在活跃于慈善事业的同时,他积极地对青年企业家进行辅导。早年中国牛津奖学金(COSF)在英国筹建的过程中,谭宝信先生做出过举足轻重的贡献。当时他是香港基金会董事之一,而后又成为了COSF全球主席。虽然近来他不再参与基金会的具体日常工作,他和Clair的热情好客却为人津津乐道,多年来,我们在Hailey夏日午餐会上都感到宾至如归,午餐会也为COSF学者们做出了巨大贡献。他广受好评的著作《跛脚的巨人:中国即将爆发的危机》,曾经获得过巴美列捷福奖非小说类提名。他深爱着他的妻子 Clair 以及他的儿子 Peregrine。我们将会永远怀念他。
Timothy will be remembered for many reasons, for me, his wit and outstanding generosity never ceased to amaze me.
I smile when I think of his refusal to wear a tie stating that ‘only waiters wear ties’.
He also said that he only needed one good cerebral idea a day, he certainly had the right ideas!
Godspeed Timothy - you sure did live life in the fast lane and inspired many, RIP
I smile when I think of his refusal to wear a tie stating that ‘only waiters wear ties’.
He also said that he only needed one good cerebral idea a day, he certainly had the right ideas!
Godspeed Timothy - you sure did live life in the fast lane and inspired many, RIP
There was no one ever like my godfather Tim. His kind and gentle demeanour along with his generous habits and sharp wit are just a fraction of traits that made this man the great man he was. It is easy to speak with bias when one remembers the departed, but I mean what I say as much as a man can mean what he says. It is easy to be intimidated by such a man, but Tim always made me feel welcome at his table even though I was certainly the least worthy to be sitting at that table. He generously gave me his time and his love - I remember smoking a cigar with him under the full moon at Hailey - we were sitting in silence enjoying each other’s company and I will never forget that silence. We didn’t need to talk, we were happy to have each other around. When I would play (basically) the piano Tim would often leave the confines of his study to sit and listen. He was always appreciative of my fumbling hands desperately trying to play the right melody. There’s so much more to say about Tim. I could write for hours on his humour, his charm, his generosity, and his love for people, but I will leave it head for now. Tim, I will miss you every day and I regret not spending more time with you. I love you. Julian
J'ai connu Tim dans les liens de l'amitié, à Paris, à Hailey House, en vacances avec Clair. Un homme intelligent, passionné et sensible, curieux du monde et des personnes, généreux et esthète. Je viens d'apprendre son grand départ, et j'éprouve beaucoup de surprise et de peine; je m'associe de tout coeur à la peine de Clair et Peregrine, et leur envoie grande amitié et beaucoup d'amour.
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Timothy Beardson. He was a generous man, with the vision of forming and improving the next generation of Chinese scholars to create a better world. I have seen several students flourishing under the China Oxford Scholarship Fund, and Timothy deserves great credit for believing and investing in the future of the next generations. Timothy hospitality was welcoming and generous. I vividly remember a summer luncheon at the Hailey with Tim welcoming and engaging with each guest and organizing a bus to offer transportation to students to ensure everyone could attend. He is deeply missed. RIP.
As one of the COSF scholars, I am truely sadden to hear the news. I have met Timothy twice in his beautiful countryside manor, with many other guests from different background. It was very eye-opening to be part of these social events, especially for someone like me who never lived abroad before. Especially, every time before the event, Timothy's opening speech was enlightening to me from a unique objective perspective. And that let me rethink of many things in a different angle.
"If I go to other university, I can only learn knowledge. Only in Oxford, I can gain wisdom" - This is from one of his speech about the first Oxford Chinese scholar ever in Oxford. I still remember his wishes to Chinese scholars, that is to contribute back to China and let the world know China better.
R.I.P
"If I go to other university, I can only learn knowledge. Only in Oxford, I can gain wisdom" - This is from one of his speech about the first Oxford Chinese scholar ever in Oxford. I still remember his wishes to Chinese scholars, that is to contribute back to China and let the world know China better.
R.I.P
It was with shock and great sadness that I heard of the sudden passing of Timothy Beardson. As a past member and Chair of the COSF Oxford selection panel, I together my wife were just two of the numerous guests who over a number of years enjoyed the convivial, lively and generous hospitality of Timothy and Clair in the Hailey COSF associated gatherings. Importantly, the COSF scholars clearly much benefitted from such occasions and gained encouragement and inspiration from the addresses that Timothy gave at them. These Oxfordshire events played a significant part in forging a family ethos for COSF in the UK, which of course Timothy was pivotal in establishing, in addition to him fostering the charity more widely through his Hong Kong Trustee and International Chairmanship roles. His engaging zest for life came across so strongly and he will be sorely missed.
I am deeply saddened by this news. Tim was kind, generous and inspiring. COSF has supported hundreds of scholars like me to pursue their dreams, and Tim is the one who made this possible. He treated us like family members. The Christmas dinners we had together were my most valuable memories in Oxford. I extend my profound condolences to his family.
As a beneficiary of China Oxford Scholarship Fund, I feel deeply sorry for this news. I've attended Timothy's family banquet after I arrived Oxford shortly. Even though it is about 14 years ago, details embedding his openness,humor and chivalrous are still very clear. A person who use his effort to change the world slowly, but deeply. R.I.P. Hope the families and friends can recover from this shock quickly.
I am sad to learn the news of Timothy Bearson. I want to express my deepest sympathy to Clair and Peregrine. He is a respectful man who made some many support to COSF. I am still remember his hospitality in his house, and his interview with me at Rhodes house during the COSF anniversary. He made a difference in my life. I am with his family for this difficult time.
I firs met Mr. Beardson through COSF. Later I asked him if he would like to be my mentor in Oxford Global Leadership Initiative programme and he happily agreed. When I heard the sad news, all the memories I spent with Mr. Beardson, Clair, and Peregrine at the Hailey House burst into my mind. It was just three years ago when the cherries were shining in the garden and Mr. Beardson was arguing with Peregrine about the Texas cowboy hat.
It is my fortune to have met Mr. Beardson. He set a great example for me as an entrepreneur, an educator, a friend, and a family man. I will always remember his comments on life and hopefully in the future I can be someone like him, who cares the next generation of young people.
It is my fortune to have met Mr. Beardson. He set a great example for me as an entrepreneur, an educator, a friend, and a family man. I will always remember his comments on life and hopefully in the future I can be someone like him, who cares the next generation of young people.
I am so sorry to hear of Timothy's passing. One of my first experiences with China Oxford Scholarship Fund was a lunch for scholars and their tutors hosted by Timothy at his beautiful country home. There was so much laughter, so many friendly people, so many inspiring stories: the experience inspired me to become more involved with COSF. My thoughts are with his friends and family.
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Timothy will be remembered for many reasons, for me, his wit and outstanding generosity never ceased to amaze me.
I smile when I think of his refusal to wear a tie stating that ‘only waiters wear ties’.
He also said that he only needed one good cerebral idea a day, he certainly had the right ideas!
Godspeed Timothy - you sure did live life in the fast lane and inspired many, RIP
I smile when I think of his refusal to wear a tie stating that ‘only waiters wear ties’.
He also said that he only needed one good cerebral idea a day, he certainly had the right ideas!
Godspeed Timothy - you sure did live life in the fast lane and inspired many, RIP
There was no one ever like my godfather Tim. His kind and gentle demeanour along with his generous habits and sharp wit are just a fraction of traits that made this man the great man he was. It is easy to speak with bias when one remembers the departed, but I mean what I say as much as a man can mean what he says. It is easy to be intimidated by such a man, but Tim always made me feel welcome at his table even though I was certainly the least worthy to be sitting at that table. He generously gave me his time and his love - I remember smoking a cigar with him under the full moon at Hailey - we were sitting in silence enjoying each other’s company and I will never forget that silence. We didn’t need to talk, we were happy to have each other around. When I would play (basically) the piano Tim would often leave the confines of his study to sit and listen. He was always appreciative of my fumbling hands desperately trying to play the right melody. There’s so much more to say about Tim. I could write for hours on his humour, his charm, his generosity, and his love for people, but I will leave it head for now. Tim, I will miss you every day and I regret not spending more time with you. I love you. Julian
J'ai connu Tim dans les liens de l'amitié, à Paris, à Hailey House, en vacances avec Clair. Un homme intelligent, passionné et sensible, curieux du monde et des personnes, généreux et esthète. Je viens d'apprendre son grand départ, et j'éprouve beaucoup de surprise et de peine; je m'associe de tout coeur à la peine de Clair et Peregrine, et leur envoie grande amitié et beaucoup d'amour.
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Timothy's obituary featured in The Times 10 November 2020

Tribute featured in The Spectator written by Bruce Anderson 31.10.20





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