‘Force of nature’ Professor Lord Bhattacharyya dies aged 78
PROFESSOR Lord Bhattacharyya - a giant of the Coventry and Warwickshire business and academic world and a figure described as “a force of nature” - has died.
Born in Bangalore on June 6, 1940, Lord Bhattacharyya was chairman of Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the University of Warwick.
He also played a pivotal role in Indian industrial giant Tata buying Coventry car maker Jaguar Land Rover.
A spokesman for the University of Warwick said Lord Bhattacharyya died Friday, March 1, following a short illness.
The spokesman added: “His passing was peaceful and he was with his family, who are in our thoughts and prayers.”
Lord Bhattacharyya’s achievements at WMG are on a scale rarely seen as an example of government, academia and industry working together.
The ever-expanding applied research centre is at the forefront of creating technology to help the automotive industry and other sectors thrive into the future.
Lord Bhattacharyya also played a leading role in the creation of the National Automotive Innovation Centre on the Warwick campus, bringing international research leaders to Coventry and giving them the equipment and facilities to develop new designs and technological breakthroughs.
In addition he was a key figure in Coventry winning the right to build a £80m UK Battery Industrialisation Centre to serve the entire UK automotive industry.
Sir David Normington, chair of council and ProChancellor of the University of Warwick, said: “Long before I joined the University of Warwick Council, I knew of Professor Lord Bhattacharyya as an adviser to successive prime ministers and secretaries of state and a tireless advocate for UK manufacturing industry.
“Then, as chair of council I had the great good fortune to see close up his extraordinary commitment to University of Warwick, to Coventry and the West Midlands and to UK plc.
“He was a force of nature. He pushed at boundaries, he changed lives, he created jobs, and he set the standard for how universities should work with industry.
“Most of all, for so many of us, he was also a kind and generous friend. We shall miss him terribly but here at Warwick he will remain our inspiration for many years to come.
“We send our love and deep condolences to Bridie and his family.”
Warwick’s 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.”
A university spokesman said a longer tribute to Lord Bhattacharyya’s life and achievements would be posted in the coming days and a memorial event would be held in due course.
The spokesman added that Professor David Mullins would become the acting head of WMG in accordance with Lord Bhattacharyya’s wishes.
Professor Mullins said: “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.”
Others have also paid tribute to Lord Bhattacharyya.
Jonathan Browning, chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Lord Bhattacharyya was unique and this is very sad news.
“The region and, in fact the whole of the UK industry, owes him a huge debt.
“He was a one-man force of nature who achieved so much for Coventry and Warwickshire, University of Warwick, WMG and the UK.
“He was a pioneer who saw how academia and industry could work together closer to drive forward advancements - especially in engineering and manufacturing - but he is also the man who turned that realisation into reality, often through his force of personality.
“His influence goes back four decades and was felt by every single government since that time and right until his death he was bringing investment to Coventry and Warwickshire.”
Coventry City Council leaders also paid tribute to Lord Bhattacharyya’s vision and his immense contribution to the city.
In a joint statement the leader of council, Cllr George Duggins, and deputy leader, Cllr Abdul Salam Khan, said: “Lord Bhattacharyya loved his adopted city of Coventry and had a great desire to see it as a world-leader in manufacturing and design.
“He brought his amazing skills and knowledge to our city, but he also brought an energy and a passion that inspired everyone who knew him.
“Without him, Coventry would not be the great centre of innovation and manufacturing that it is today. His vision and determination have put us right at the heart of the automotive industry of the future.
“There are many around Coventry and Warwickshire who will have been directly affected by his work, maybe without even knowing it.
“For almost 40 years he helped bring investment and jobs to our city and did so much behind the scenes in the worlds of business, education and government.
“We were honoured to have known him and consider him to be a friend.
“He was always ready to help others and he was a great ambassador for our city. He will be greatly missed.”
The city council recently took the rare step of honouring Lord Bhattacharyya by naming a road after him. He was also a Freeman of the City and a holder of the Award of Merit.
Lord Bhattacharyya is survived by his wife Bridie and daughters Anita, Tina and Malini.