Tribute to University Governor Professor Sir Graeme Davies

I was saddened to hear of the passing of University of Lincoln Governor, Professor Sir Graeme Davies FREng, FRSE. On behalf of the University’s staff and students, I wish to pass on our sincere condolences and best wishes to Graeme’s family and friends.

Graeme served on Lincoln’s Governing Body since 2013, generously offering his vast insight and experience to support the University’s development during a period of significant transformation and growth. He made a major contribution to the advancement of higher education in the UK over a long and distinguished career.

An engineer by background, Graeme served previously as Vice Chancellor of three universities: the University of Liverpool (1986-1991), the University of Glasgow (1995-2003) and the University of London (2003-2010). He was Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England from 1991 to 1995 – a critical period in the development of the UK higher education sector.

He was educated in the School of Engineering of the University of Auckland, New Zealand, where he graduated with a BE degree in Aeronautical Engineering and a PhD in Materials Science. He received both an MA and ScD from St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, where he was a Honorary Fellow and taught Metallurgy at the University of Auckland, University of Cambridge and the University of Sheffield, where he was Professor of Metallurgy from 1978-1986.

He was knighted in January 1996 for services to higher education – an honour which recognised the key role he played in the development of policies concerned with the contribution which higher education institutions make to economic development.

His Fellowships and Honorary Fellowships include the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Society of New Zealand, the Royal Veterinary College, the School of Pharmacy London, Trinity College of Music, St George’s Hospital Medical School, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply. He was awarded Honorary Doctorates by more than a dozen universities.

Graeme’s commitment and contribution to higher education locally, nationally and internationally, was immense in its duration, reach, and impact, and his work enhanced the educational opportunities available to countless people and communities. He will be missed by many.

Professor Neal Juster
Vice Chancellor