It is with great sadness that the University announces the death of Sir Richard Young. Richard “Dick” Young was a member of the Council and Chair of the Building Committee at Warwick, and was made an Honorary Graduate in 1987.

Richard Young’s career was largely based in the field of manufacturing. After graduating from Bristol University with a degree in mechanical engineering, he began his career working for various Tube Investment (TI) companies, before becoming Managing Director of the group in the 1960s. He was knighted in 1970 for services to exports. His interests and achievements stretched far beyond engineering however, and he finished his career as Chairman of the music publisher, Boosey & Hawkes.

As one of a small group of industrialists, Richard Young was involved in the establishment of the University of Warwick; he recognised the need for technological advancement in the region to support the engineering industry on which Coventry depended. He was an influential member of the Council from 1966 until 1989, and was also Chairman of the Building Committee, a post in which he played a key part in the increasing success of the University. After he left, Richard kept close ties with the University for the rest of his life.

Obituary from The Independent