We were sad to hear of the passing of former AROPS President and friend, Michael Freegard on 27 October 2022 at the age of 89. Remembered fondly by outgoing President Bill Gillen, he writes 'I felt privileged to have known Michael through our mutual involvement in AROPS to which organisation he was a huge asset. I greatly admired & enjoyed his powerful intellect, his authoritative & calming presence and his ever- present sense of humour & fun. Always an immense privilege & pleasure to be in Michael’s company at AROPS Cttee meetings & Conferences - and occasionally at Lord’s.'

Michael had a long and happy association with AROPS and with the Haileybury association. He was Hailebury's Society’s General Secretary from 1997-2001 and their President in 2002/3. He continued to serve as a trustee, committee member and advisor until 2017 and always kept in touch regularly thereafter. Michael was a member of the Haileybury Council, and a Trustee of the Haileybury Charitable Trust. He was a life member of the OHRFC for which he played in the 1950s and was a B team XV referee in the 1970s. He was a benefactor to both the Society and to Haileybury, including annual Speech Day prizes for music, one of his great passions.

His life was given over to the support of others. After National Service in Egypt, and business experience in textiles and commodities, he worked for some years for the Crusader movement, mainly organizing camps and expeditions, before joining The Performing Rights Society for 28 years rising through the ranks until his retirement as Chief Executive in 1993. He then became an international copyright consultant and added to the many articles on copyright issues he had published over the years a book about UK Copyright Tribunal published by Butterworths in 1996.

Michael’s family were central to his world. He is survived by his wife, Chantal, his son Mark, two daughters and grandchildren, to whom AROPS send our sincere condolences. 

A message from Michael's family

To our wonderful friends and family,

With deep sadness and heavy hearts, we are writing to inform you of the death of our dear father, Michael John Freegard, who passed away on 27th October, 2022.  Michael was the pillar in our family, and we want to honour his legacy by inviting you to the funeral and celebration of his life. While Michael had suffered the prolonged effects of Parkinson’s disease these last years, he passed peacefully from old age and leaves us many wonderful memories while his legacy lives on.  We will all miss him more than words can express.

Michael's funeral was held on the 25 November at the New Southgate Cemetery & Crematorium in London followed by a celebration of his life at the The West Park Lodge Hotel. Michael requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the following charities: 

• Leonard Cheshire
• The Cure Parkinson’s Trust

Thank you,
The Freegard Family
Chantal, Mark, Daniel, Alex, Caroline & Nicola