Making a Difference

Clearing up my office yesterday I found this paper buried – the order of service from Roger Graef’s memorial service at BBC Broadcasting House in May 2022. Veteran documentary-maker Roger was my mentor for the last few years of his life. He was an excellent guide and advisor in all areas (other than work/life balance). When I made a speech on accepting an honorary fellowship at Norwich University of the Arts in 2023 it centred on Roger and what I’d learnt from him.

All I ever wanted to do all the way through was to make a difference.

Roger was an expert not only in documentary-making but also in policing & criminal justice and the urban environment & development. The difference that stands out for me at this moment is how after Roger made an episode on how the police handle rape cases in his legendary police series it was subsequently adopted as a training resource as it captured exactly how not to do it. In that role it had huge impact in a judicial blindspot.

Whether the differences we make are small or large is not the point. To leave the world in a better state than when we entered it is a noble ambition and if each and every one of us did that, we’d all be in a far better place. On the eve of 2026, that’s not a bad thought to refocus on.

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