Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG, comments on the passing of Ratan Tata

“Ratan Tata was a titan of business who will be remembered at WMG for his inspirational passion for engineering and design, and for his personal kindness, humility, and deep insight.

“A close friend of our founder, Lord Bhattacharyya, Mr Tata visited WMG, at the University of Warwick, many times.

“Whether opening the WMG Academy for Young Engineers in Coventry, meeting our researchers on materials and intelligent vehicles, laying the foundation stone for the National Automotive Innovation Centre, or meeting local engineering businesses to understand their capabilities, Mr Tata was always fascinated by the ways innovation and technology could improve lives and create opportunity, and always willing to give his time to speak to our students, researchers and industry partners about their work.

“WMG and Mr Tata’s partnership began during the development of the Tata Indica, India’s first domestically designed vehicle, with WMG researchers supporting the design and manufacturing of the groundbreaking car. This led to the opening of the Tata Motors European Technical Centre at Warwick and to many research and education partnerships across a wide range of industries, many of which continue to this day on our campus, including at the National Automotive Innovation Centre, helping to create jobs, develop technologies and strengthen communities.

“Mr Tata’s vision and leadership leaves an enormous legacy for Warwick, our region, the UK and the world.

We are greatly saddened by his passing, and our deepest condolences go to his family, friends and the entire Tata community.”

Professor Robin Clark, the Dean of WMG at The University of Warwick, discussed how placing people at the heart of the Government’s missions will be vital at a panel exploring the contribution of innovation and skills to growth, held at the Labour Party Conference.

Professor Clark was joined by the Minister of State for Skills, the Rt Hon Baroness Smith; Richard Parker, Mayor for the West Midlands; Helen Foord, Head of Global Governmental Affairs at McLaren Automotive Ltd; and The Rt Hon Jim Murphy.

The panel discussed how industry, educators and researchers can come together, locally and nationally, to deliver change on the ground using real-life success stories as examples of how progress can be made in equipping the nation.

Professor Clark said, “Supporting skilled, innovative people should be at the heart of delivering the national missions. We know at WMG that whether you’re a major manufacturer, an SME, or a start-up, you need innovative people with quality skills to deliver growth.

“No matter where you sit in the system – HE, FE, policy-maker, or employer - we should all be focussed on improving technical. and lifelong learning access and provision.  

 “With the start of Skills England and the forthcoming Industrial Strategy there’s a real opportunity for industry, education and government - regionally and nationally - to work together to make it easier to access technical education, simpler to progress as a learner and more straightforward to offer the right courses in the right places at the right time.”

Find out more about skills and innovation at WMG here: WMG : University of Warwick

Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG at the University of Warwick, was pleased to welcome Levelling Up Secretary, Michael Gove and West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street on Monday (20 March).

The Levelling Up Secretary and West Midlands Mayor signed a landmark deeper devolution deal for the region, marking a seismic shift in power, funding and responsibility from Whitehall to the region, at a ceremonial event that took place at WMG at the University of Warwick.

The deal announced in the Spring Budget puts more cash and power in the hands of local leaders to invest in the priorities that local communities truly care about, such as better bus and train services, skills and housing.

A new long-term funding settlement will enable the Mayor and local councils to plan for the long term, with certainty, and unlock tangible benefits for almost three million people living in the area.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: “Visionary local leaders like Andy Street understand the needs of their areas better than decision-makers in Whitehall - that is why it is vital that we put more power and control in their hands.

“This deal goes further than we’ve ever gone before. It will give the Mayor unprecedented power to spend on local priorities and more control over transport, skills and housing – the things people truly care about.

“Today marks a bold new frontier in devolution in this country, and it’s fantastic to see the West Midlands right at the forefront.”

Stuart Croft, Vice Chancellor of the University of Warwick, which hosted the Levelling Up Secretary's visit, said: “It is good to be able to support the hard work across our region that has led to this agreement. We’re proud to play an active role in driving business growth and innovation in the West Midlands, whether that’s through our apprenticeship programmes, support for start-ups, or our close partnerships with industry across the region.

"Our world leading research into new green energy and technology is an example of where we’re not only developing new businesses, skills, and jobs, but also helping the UK to reach its net zero goals.”

Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG at the University of Warwick, added: “It was a pleasure to welcome the Levelling Up Secretary and the West Midlands Mayor, and we were proud to provide the location for the signing of this landmark devolution agreement.

“Before the official signing, I had the opportunity to show Mr Gove our 3xD driving simulator for autonomous vehicle research, and to explain more about WMG’s commitment to developing new engineering and manufacturing skills to help bridge the gap between academia and industry.”

Read more about the Deeper Devolution Deal.

Margot James, Executive Chair at WMG, University of Warwick: "All my colleagues at WMG will feel the loss of our Queen, each in their own personal way. I am sure I can speak for many though when I pay tribute to her life of dedicated service to our country and the Commonwealth. The Queen embodied the very best of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with her selfless sense of duty. The immense difference she made to our lives, she has been the only monarch we have ever known, will live with us forever. We send our deepest sympathy and condolences to all members of the Royal Family at this very sad time. Long live the King."

Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG and Head of Department: "The death of Her Majesty The Queen is a solemn and poignant moment for our nation, the commonwealth and the world, and on behalf of all of us at WMG at the University of Warwick, I offer our heartfelt condolences to her family. Her Majesty’s dedicated and committed service to her people and to her country has been an example to generations in Britain, throughout the Commonwealth and across the world. The Queen’s life has been a shining light for us all throughout her momentous reign. Her Majesty has been an unwavering constant for so many of us – guiding the nation through times of challenge and times of celebration. We send our deepest sympathies to her family at this most difficult of times. At the same time, we are profoundly thankful for a life lived well, a life lived long and happily, and, most of all, a life lived in service to the nation."