A ROAD on the University of Warwick campus has been re-named to honour one of the city’s pioneering educators and manufacturers.
The road outside the National Automotive Innovation Centre, on the University of Warwick campus, has been unveiled unveiled as Lord Bhattacharyya Way.
Professor Lord Kumar Battacharyya has already been awarded one of the city’s greatest honours of Freeman of the City and the Award of Merit.
Now Coventry council has taken the unusual step of arranging to have a road named after him too.
Leader of Coventry City Council George Duggins said: “We recently renamed a road after Jimmy Hill, who did so much to revolutionise football in our city and take the sport worldwide into a new era.
“Now we are proud to be recognising a man who has done the same for business and employment and who not only has an amazing drive, commitment and passion for manufacturing – but also for seeing it succeed in our city.
“From being Britain’s first ever professor of manufacturing, he has gone on to advise companies and organisations around the world, as well as the UK government.
“He founded Warwick Manufacturing Group in 1980 which is today one of the world leading research and education centre, with a reputation for academic excellence and business results spanning the globe.
“So, for a man who has put our city on the road to success, made sure we are heading in the right direction, and kept us streets ahead of the competition – we thought this would be the perfect honour.”
Professor Lord Bhattacharyya, founder and Chairman of WMG, University of Warwick, added: “I’m honoured the city has chosen to rename a road on campus after me.
“I was given the opportunity by Lord Butterworth, back in 1980, to start the first Manufacturing Group to help organisations innovate and help university researchers change lives.
“Since then we have made an enormous contribution to the university, the city and the region, which has helped to create and safeguard thousands of jobs.
“WMG has been instrumental in the re-development of the city’s manufacturing and automotive resurgence and the National Automotive Innovation Centre will enable Coventry to become a Smart Motor City with the development of new technology and mobility solutions.”
