John Loxley obituary

My friend John Loxley, who has died aged 77, was a socialist economist who wanted to change the world for the better. He was a teacher and adviser to politicians in Canada and assisted African governments and international development agencies in negotiating with the World Bank and IMF. He advised Nelson Mandela and the ANC on post-apartheid alternative economic policy.

Born in Sheffield, John was the seventh of 12 children of John Loxley, a steelworker, and his wife, Elizabeth (nee Antcliff), a seamstress. He went to King Edward VII school, then to Leeds University, graduating in economics in 1963. Three years later he was awarded a PhD for his thesis on the East African monetary and banking system, and during the period of his research he lectured at Makerere University in Uganda.