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Sir Derek Roberts, semiconductor expert and two-times Provost of University College London – obituary
A leader in integrated circuit technology, he restored the finances of UCL but caused a revolt with plans to merge with Imperial College
12 April 2021 • 7:00am
Sir Derek Roberts at UCL, in front of the mummified body of Jeremy Bentham
Credit: Graham Turner/ Guardian/Eyevine
Sir Derek Roberts, who has died aged 88, was an industrial scientist who served two terms as Provost of University College London, from 1989 to 99 and 2002 to 03, but discovered during his second term that business and academe make uncomfortable bedfellows.
UCL broke with tradition in appointing an industrialist (Roberts was joint deputy managing director of Arnold Weinstock’s GEC), to the Provostship. The philosopher Jeremy Bentham had been a previous holder of the office, his mummified body on display in a college corridor reminding passers-by of the college’s proud traditions.