We are so sad to hear that Leslie has passed away. Many of us who worked with her - particularly in the late 1980’s and 1990’s - would like to pass on our condolences to her family and friends.

Kay Drury
I have lost my great friend Leslie Palmer after thirty-five years of friendship. We met when we worked together at Harris Research Centre in Richmond, slaving over complex projects, often working through the night to get jobs finished. Together we drove many thousands of miles through Europe and the US. Visited just about all the museums, art galleries and churches in Florence and Venice. Danced and sang together at many Rolling Stones concerts. Talked for hours, ate loads and drank countless bottles of wine together. I helped her with several of her many house moves and listened to her never ending sagas of rebuilds/refurbs, and problems with builders. I stayed and cried with her when she was recovering from her cancer op, celebrated the highs when we thought all was OK, and tried to keep her positive when she found it was back, holidaying in the Greek Islands and Madeira. She didn't feel up to the last holiday we were arranging before COVID, then lockdown happened so we said we'd go somewhere nice when it was over. Sadly now that will never be. A true friend and a brave and determined lady who fought it until the end.

Tom Simpson
I’d lost touch with her over the years but was aware of her illness and her fight against cancer. I have many fond memories of Leslie. She was my client, and Derek’s colleague, at British Leyland before we managed to recruit her for Harris. She was a clever and insightful researcher and a helpful and supportive friend. She had the messiest office and the tidiest home I’ve ever seen.

Derek Carpenter
I am so sorry to hear of Leslie’s death. She put up a tremendous fight, and when I last saw her, about two to three years ago I think it was, she was determined not to reflect what she had been through by changing the style of her life until it was forced upon her. Of course, she knew full well that time would come, but it didn’t make her want to hide away and simply play a waiting game. That wasn’t Leslie at all.
I know that at that last lunch together she enjoyed going over old times at both British Leyland and Harris. Those two parts of her career both meant a lot to her, but for very different reasons. Leyland was a place of mixed emotions, highs and some very lowly lows... Harris generated much more positive memories and recall of happy times with colleagues she both liked and respected. Anyway, we both enjoyed the reminiscences, as too did those who couldn’t help but hear the stories and loud laughter sitting at tables near to us I think. 

Alan Love
I knew Leslie from her time at British Leyland.  That may even have coincided with my time at RSGB before I joined Harris in 1978.
I learned so much from Leslie professionally, and she probably also contributed greatly to the process of growing up for me.
A string of Leslie incidents have popped up in my mind over the last few days.
Although we had little contact after Leslie moved on from Harris, I’m desperately sorry to hear this news.

Kate Barber
Leslie was such a force of nature and it’s so tough to hear she has succumbed to the illness she was so bravely fighting. I remember Friday nights at the pub and Leslie advising me on presentation skills “Now tell me again but this time sit on your hands, so you aren’t waving your arms around”.  As others have noted she loved the colour purple. I remember the day she arrived in the office for an important client presentation wearing an outfit in her signature colour and navy court shoes. The only problem was the shoes were from two different pairs and had different height heels. She decided to practice standing on one leg rather than go home and change.

Ros Robinson
I worked at Harris for a couple of years in the late ‘80s, when Leslie was there too. Lovely lady always smiling and full of laughter, we shared the same favourite colour!

Barbara Dakar
Thank you for letting me know the sad news about Leslie, she was such a lovely person. This news has really bought back some lovely memories of her.
Like that she and John Hanvey would do the Times crossword everyday. 
She was such a fun person, I remember when she appeared on ‘Who wants to be a millionaire’ and that she liked gardening and loved her purple ring. Such fond memories.

Ann Bellchambers
Very sad, she was a legend really, wasn’t she? That huge smile, untamed hair and exotic accent (for Richmond!).  Her refusal to do timesheets as she only worked for IBM.  She once described her garden ritual of every morning removing all flowers that weren’t the right colour - can’t remember if they could ONLY be purple though!  So many stories.  I always think of her when I go past her tall town house at the end of Kew road.  

Janet Monteith
I was very sorry to hear the news about Leslie. I remember her as such a strong person with a great love of purple and a well lived in car.

Sara McFadzean
Thanks for letting me know, that’s very sad news.

Judy Oakden
Very sad news. So young. Please say hi to everyone from me.

Antony Saccomani
Sad news but thanks so much for letting me know. A long time since I’ve seen Leslie but as you say, LOTS of memories, all of them good.

Darren Thickpenny
Leslie was a wonderful person, strong, generous, opinionated, and always great fun. Whenever I think of my 'Harris' days she's always at the forefront. Whether sitting in Kay's office for hours going over the Fleet questionnaire or sitting in whatever pub chatting about every imaginable topic. More than once I'd be 'put to rights' over the course of an evening and as always Leslie's advice would be spot on. Was lovely to see her again at the reunion a couple of years ago.

Carol Andrew
I am so very sad to hear this news about Leslie.
I also remember those days at Harris. She was an incredible lady. I even remember her favourite colour - purple.
RIP Leslie xx

Prakash Patel
I have fond memories of Leslie, she was a great lady.

Geraldine Dargaval
Please give my regards and condolences to her family