Professor Lord Bhattacharyya, founder of WMG, dies aged 78

Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) chairman and founder, Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya, has passed away on Friday 1 March after a short illness. He was 78 years old.

Lord Bhattacharyya was Britain’s first Professor of Manufacturing and founded WMG in 1980. He became a member of the House of Lords in 2004.

To recognise his contributions “to the University, the city, the region, and to Jaguar Land Rover”, Warwick’s newest building was named the “Lord Bhattacharyya Building” and University Road was renamed the “Lord Bhattacharyya Way” last year.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Stuart Croft said: “Professor Lord Bhattacharyya served for four decades at Warwick founding and leading WMG. However his service goes far beyond this University.

“The achievements of WMG, particularly his own wisdom, passion, and advocacy of the importance of manufacturing, technology, research teaching, and training has helped guide regional, national and international leaders, business figures and policy makers.

“He has helped preserve and create jobs and transform companies, economies, and individual lives, above all in our region.

“We mourn the passing of a unique man but we also celebrate all that he has achieved and are thankful that those achievements will have a massive impact for years to come.”

Professor Lord Bhattacharyya wished for Professor David Mullins to become WMG’s Acting Head. Professor Mullins has accepted the role after being asked by the University.

He stated: “It has been a great honour and privilege to have worked so closely with Professor Lord Bhattacharyya for over 20 years.

“At this sad time, we are all focused on growing the amazing organisation for research, education and impact that he created for national and international benefit.”

He has helped preserve and create jobs and transform companies, economies, and individual lives, above all in our region

– Professor Stuart Croft

In the upcoming days, the University will be paying tribute to Lord Bhattacharyya and his achievements. They are also hosting a memorial event.

Speaking to The Boar in 2017 about the National Automative Innovation Centre (NAIC), Lord Bhattacharyya shared: “When I came here, at the beginning there was a bit of apprehension: ‘Should work with industry, we are after all an academic institution.’

“But throughout the world all the big universities are integrated with big companies. In Britain, we just never had that.”

“This shows that Warwick can do it, Warwick has got the willpower not only to be a good academic university, but also when it comes to economic development — not just in the region, but internationally.

“It shows that companies are prepared to put their own money here because they have faith in the University and in WMG.”

Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Greg Clark MP said that he was “deeply saddened” by the news.

He continued: “Kumar has been a heroic figure, helping establish in Britain a world-wide reputation for excellence and innovation in advanced manufacturing.

“Through the WMG, which he founded, and through his extraordinary energy and tenacity Kumar encouraged many firms to locate and expand in Britain. Hundreds of thousands of people in Britain owe their livelihoods to Kumar Bhattacharyya.

“It has been a personal privilege to be able to work so closely with Kumar, who helped inspire our modern Industrial Strategy, and to be his friend.

“Kumar will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him, and our thoughts are with his wife Bridie, their three daughters Anita, Tina and Malini and their family.”