Stellar gynaecologist and vice chancellor of Bristol University
SIR ERIC THOMAS, who has died aged 70, had a stellar career, first as an obstetrician and gynaecologist, then as one of the longest serving vice chancellors of Bristol University. He went on to become a leading adviser to government on education strategy.
Eric Jackson Thomas was born in Hartlepool on March 24 1953, the grandson of a miner and son of a GP. His mother was a nurse. He was one of seven children, one of whom died in infancy.
He was educated at Ampleforth but did not remember it with much affection. Eric felt under pressure from his father to study medicine, and a rebellious streak led him to arts subjects for the first year of sixth form. But he then saw the light and switched to sciences, which he passed in one year, leading to medical school in Newcastle. There, he took a full part in student life, beinm president of the student medical society in 1978-79. His was an exceptionally talented year; he was one of three later to receive knighthoods.
He specialised in obstetrics and gynaecology, training mainly at Newcastle General Hospital. He took an interest in infertility and endometriosis, writing his thesis on the latter. Always keen on research as well as practice, he went on to write more than 150 scientific papers.
After a period as consultant in Sheffield, Thomas moved to Southampton, where he became dean of the faculty of medicine. In 2001 he was appointed president and vice chancellor of the University of Bristol, a post he would hold until 2015.
He came to Bristol just as a concerted push to expand the diversity of the student population had led to a huge backlash, with cries of social engineering. Thomas, however, was sure they were doing the right thing, and stubbornly defended the principle with eloquence and rigour, pointing out that his own grandfather had been a miner.
“In 1971, only 15 per cent of my generation went to any sort of university,” he said. “Imagine how universities must have appeared to the other 85 per cent – hidden and frightening and really rather irrelevant.” He persuaded the Intouniversity charity to set up a centre in Bristol to encourage those from impoverished backgrounds to consider university.
His academic background gave him the credibility to improve Bristol’s research standing, while his entrepreneurial flair helped him to raise its income. He led by example, on one occasion kicking off the centenary fundraising campaign with a £100,000 personal donation from his family. The campaign reached its £100 million target six months early.
He became the go-to person for advice on philanthropy in higher education and in 2021 returned to his alma mater in Newcastle as chairman of an international advisory board, with a fundraising target of £300 million over 10 years, of which it has already, in three years, raised £80 million.
His international profile grew as chair of the Worldwide Universities Network (2003-07) and president of Universities UK. Later, he was picked to be the UK’S International Development Champion, and served on the Marshall Aid Commission.
In 2013, he was knighted for services to higher education. He was also a Deputy Lord-lieutenant of Bristol.
He owned a vineyard in France and each year would invite friends to buy the latest vintage of Pouilly-fuissé. He was a tall, impeccably dressed man with a towering presence, a strong voice, a gale-force laugh and more than a hint of a Geordie accent; he was an ardent supporter of Newcastle United. He radiated intelligence, charm, interest in people and a zest for life.
In 1976, he married Narell, née Rennard, a nurse he had met as a medical student in Newcastle. She survives him, with their son and daughter.