Grand Reception marks the close of Sir Richard Sykes’ Rectorship

Members of the College community gather to say farewell - <em>News</em>

Monday 30 June 2008
By Naomi Weston

Two hundred staff from across Imperial gathered in Dalby Court last week to say farewell to the College’s 13th Rector.

The party marked the end of almost eight years under the leadership of Sir Richard Sykes.

During that time, Imperial has celebrated its Centenary, become an independent university, renovated and refurbished its campuses and been rated the fifth best university in the world by the Times Higher Education Supplement.

 

Lord Kerr of Kinlochard, Chairman of the Court and Council, thanked Sir Richard for all he has done at the College. “Richard has huge respect in this university, in Whitehall and Westminster and across the world, not just because he is very good at articulating his convictions but because you know they are his convictions.

“Richard dares to be different. He has said what he thought and has raised our game by insisting on excellence and the highest standards.”

In his farewell speech Sir Richard thanked the College community for their support over the years. He said: “It’s the people that make Imperial College and their commitment and the ideas they have. I believe you are the best in the world and it’s been an enormous pleasure working alongside you. I have loved every minute of my time here.”

 

For staff it was an opportunity to say farewell and reflect on the past eight years. Paddy Jackman, Director of Commercial Services, said: “One memory for me of Sir Richard is definitely the Centenary year and the massive success of the staff party – especially the famous You Tube video of the Rector dancing!

One of his biggest achievements was changing the look of Imperial to the wider world.”

Projects administrator, Tim Scott, said: “One thing that stands out about Sir Richard for me is his sense of humour and ability to put people at their ease. He is plain speaking and charismatic. He has also spent more money on facilities to improve the College.”

Sir Richard and Lady Sykes leave the party in Jezebel

Christine Wright, from the Safety Department, has seen a number of Rectors come and go in her 40 years at the College. She commented: “All the Rectors have been very different. Sir Richard has made a dramatic impact on the College, he has managed to raise the profile of Imperial without reducing the quality.

“The Centenary celebrations were wonderful and brought everyone together.”

To end the evening, Sir Richard and Lady Sykes left the party in Jezebel, a 1916 Dennis Fire Engine maintained by Imperial College students.

Sir Roy Anderson, a distinguished epidemiologist and previously Chief Scientific Advisor to the UK Ministry of Defence, will become Imperial’s fourteenth Rector on 1 July 2008.