Tributes paid to former Bristol vice-chancellor Sir Eric Thomas

Tributes have been paid to Sir Eric Thomas after the death of the former University of Bristol vice-chancellor and Universities UK president.

Sir Eric died on 10 November, aged 70, after being diagnosed with cancer.

Born in Hartlepool in 1953, he graduated in medicine from Newcastle University in 1976, subsequently training as an obstetrician and gynaecologist and working at the University of Sheffield and at Newcastle. His academic focus was on infertility and the biology of endometriosis, publishing more than 150 papers.

In 1991, Sir Eric was appointed professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Southampton, where he later became head of the School of Medicine and then dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Biological Sciences.

He was Bristol vice-chancellor from 2001 to 2015, serving as UUK president from 2011 to 2013 and receiving a knighthood for services to higher education in 2013, later leading a UUK review on the slump in part-time study after the trebling of fees.

UUK chief executive Vivienne Stern said Sir Eric “made a huge contribution to the higher education policy landscape, including during his presidency of Universities UK.

“But more than that he was a joy to be with: funny, occasionally ungovernable and full of wise advice. I will miss him tremendously.”

Sir Steve Smith, the former University of Exeter vice-chancellor and UUK president, said: “Eric Thomas was a towering figure in UK higher education. Not only was he an immensely successful vice-chancellor of Bristol, but he gave so much of his time to supporting the entire sector as his many roles for UUK attest.

“There is so much to say about Eric, and the shock of his passing will take a long time to sink in for the many people who counted Eric as a treasured friend and adviser. He was always willing to support individuals going through tough times, and many of us are reflecting on those conversations today.

“Above all, he was a passionate advocate for the genuinely transformative power of education and a believer in making those opportunities available to all.”

Jack Boyer, chair of Bristol’s board of trustees, said Sir Eric had been “one of the architects in shaping the future of higher education. He was a great advocate of both the university and city, and helped champion educational philanthropy, internationalisation, and the commercial exploitation of innovation, as well as raising educational standards through a partnership with Bristol schools.”

Evelyn Welch, the current Bristol vice-chancellor, said Sir Eric had “three outstanding qualities – vision, leadership and commitment, and knew exactly where he wanted to take the university, and during his 14-year career at the helm he had the leadership skills to take it there. 

“He will be remembered fondly for all his achievements while at Bristol that helped not only those in the local community but also across the world. Our thoughts are with his wife Narell, his children Rachel and David and the wider family at this very sad time.”

john.morgan@timeshighereducation.com