Richard Sykes (microbiologist)

Richard Sykes (born 2 August 1942) is a British microbiologist and academic administrator. He served as Rector of Imperial College London from 2001 to 2008, and as Chairman of NHS London from 2008 to 2013.

Early life and education

Sykes was born on 2 August 1942. He was educated at the University of London, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology in 1965. He then went on to earn a PhD in Microbial Biochemistry from the University of Bristol in 1968.

Career

After completing his PhD, Sykes joined the faculty of the University of Bristol as a lecturer in microbiology. In 1972, he moved to the United States to work at the Squibb Institute for Medical Research in New Jersey. He returned to the UK in 1986 to join GlaxoSmithKline as Head of Research and Development. He was appointed CEO of GlaxoSmithKline in 1993, a position he held until 2000.

In 2001, Sykes was appointed Rector of Imperial College London, a position he held until 2008. During his tenure, he oversaw the merger of Imperial College with St Mary's Hospital Medical School and the Royal Postgraduate Medical School. He also led the establishment of the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, the UK's first Academic Health Science Centre.

In 2008, Sykes was appointed Chairman of NHS London, the strategic health authority for London. He held this position until 2013.

Honours

Sykes was knighted in the 1994 New Year Honours for services to the pharmaceutical industry. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society, the Academy of Medical Sciences, and the Royal College of Pathologists. He was awarded the Prince Mahidol Award in the field of medicine in 2006.

External links

• Imperial College London profile

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  Richard Sykes (microbiologist)