Tribute to Bill Gore

Former Chair of Council Bill Gore who helped change the face of our campuses has died.

Council is the University’s governing body and Mr Gore's time as Chair saw the University secure the investment needed to establish a new campus in Southend and to develop the buildings needed to deliver the best possible student experience and support for our research community.

As Chair he played a critical role at a time of radical change for the University, serving as Chair from January 2008 to July 2011 and before that as a member of Council from 2005.

This was also a time of significant financial challenges and a radical reoganisation of university funding as tuition fees became embedded.

He faced these challenges with humour and determination. As he told the audience at his honorary degree ceremony in 2012: “Thanks to you all - students, staff, council colleagues, for allowing me to have one of the most rewarding and fulfilling and happiest times in my career to date. It has all been great fun.”

Mr Gore was a qualified chemical engineer and accountant, who enjoyed a highly successful career as an entrepreneur and investor, undertaking senior executive roles at Chairman or Chief Executive level in companies covering a range of sectors from manufacturing to technology and property.

He specialized in turning companies around and finding value in businesses and his business expertise was invaluable to the University of Essex.

During his three years on Council before becoming Chair, Mr Gore worked on the business plan for the University’s £93m investment in the new campus at Southend which opened in 2008.

He also worked with the University’s leadership team to raise £100m to support a major capital investment programme.

As Mr Gore said, working with colleagues to secure this funding in the teeth of the banking crisis “was pretty good work!”.

This funding supported investments in The Forum building at the Southend Campus which was a partnership with the City Council and South Essex College, the purchasing of more land at the Loughton Campus, development of the new Essex Business School building and the extension of the library at Colchester Campus and the construction of the Silberrad Student Centre.

After stepping down as Chair of Council, Mr Gore continued to play an important role in the development of the University as a Director of University of Essex Knowledge Gateway Limited, which is responsible for the development of the Knowledge Gateway Research and Technology Park at the Colchester Campus.

Mr Gore’s business knowledge was a huge help to the University, but he also enjoyed supporting charities and community group. He volunteered for a number of organisations – his roles including being a Trustee at Coram, Chairman of The Foundling Museum and a coach for nearly 20 years at Colchester Rugby Club.

Mr Gore first came to know the University in 1995 through this commitment to charity work, when the Children's Legal Centre moved to our campus from London. He helped Professor Carolyn Hamilton, Emeritus Professor in Essex Law School, to build up the Children's Legal Centre from a tiny charity into an organisation with a national and international reputation which is now part of the Coram Group.

Through his charity and voluntary work alongside his contribution to the University of Essex, Mr Gore made a huge difference to young people and his community.