Professor Tom Hinchcliffe

The University is deeply sorry to announce the death of Professor Tom Hinchliffe, one of the four Founders of The University of Manchester.

Tom was Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, UMIST (2001-2004). He was honoured as one of the four founders of the new University when it received Royal Charter in October 2004.

Tom graduated from UMIST with a first class honours degree in 1960 and was a Visiting Professor, CEng, FIEE, FBCS and an ICL Fellow.

He worked for ICL, in computer R&D, for his entire career. During the period 1985-95 Tom received, on behalf of ICL, three Queens Awards for Technological Achievement and won the 1995 United Kingdom Quality Award for Business Excellence. He retired as Managing Director in 1996. In 1998, Tom received the Japanese Naruto Medal for 'outstanding engineering achievement'.

Professor Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor, said: “Tom had a deep connection to our University, and as one of its Founders was central to the establishment of the University we know today. He will be remembered with enormous respect and affection. Our thoughts are very much with Eva and all the family at this time.”

Further details of how and where members of the University community can pay their respects to Professor Hinchliffe will follow in due course.