My friend Alan Randall, who has died after suffering a heart attack aged 66, was a much-loved NHS manager who always put people first. It was typical that he joined the Worthing hospital 10-pin bowling team captained by one of his porters.
He was brought up with his brother, Graham, in Rushden, Northamptonshire, where his father ran a men's outfitters. Alan attended Wellingborough grammar school before studying sociology and economics at Sheffield University and joining the NHS as a trainee administrator. After working in Dorset and Southend, he arrived in Brighton in 1979 with Marilyn, whom he had married in 1968. She won a hitherto safe seat in Hove on East Sussex county council for the SDP while Alan rose quickly, becoming chief executive in charge of hospitals at Worthing and Shoreham in 1982.
Alan stayed long enough at Worthing to preside from start to finish over a hospital rebuild that was designed to be people-friendly. The NHS sent him for his final posting as chief executive to Eastbourne in 1999 and he retired in 2002.
His daughter, Katie, and her husband, Spencer, started Yellowave, a purpose-built beach sports centre in Brighton in 2007 with Alan as a founder director. Without his formidable organisational ability, Yellowave would not have succeeded. Alan was often seen there doing menial unpaid tasks or chatting to customers.
Alan had a huge number of hobbies. He supported Eastbourne Borough FC through good and bad times, and was a volunteer for Sustrans, the bike charity, and the Ropetackle arts centre in Shoreham, close to his home. He was a prizewinning photographer, a good bowler (his father had been a national champion) and was proud of writing an article about the NHS published by the Guardian. He went walking and cycling regularly, often accompanied by Sue, his second wife, whom he married in 2004. His first marriage ended in divorce.
His friends and family are determined that the improvements he suggested for Brighton seafront will take place.
He is survived by Sue, his son, Ian, daughter, Katie, stepsons Matt and Dan and five grandchildren.