Fellows will be deeply saddened to learn of the death of Sir Ronald Claus Hampel OBE, aged 93, who had been an Honorary Fellow of the College since 1996.

Born in Shropshire, Sir Ronald came up to Corpus in 1952 to read modern languages and law. In 1955, he joined Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), eventually becoming Chief Executive and then Chairman in 1995, retiring in 1999. He oversaw the establishment of Zeneca (later AstraZeneca) from the pharmaceuticals division of ICI in 1993, and was knighted in 1995 for services to the Chemical Industry. He was highly influential across the business world, and was responsible for the 1998 Hampel Report on UK corporate governance. He was also a keen sportsman, having represented the University at Lawn Tennis, and served as a Committee member and then Vice President of the All England Lawn Tennis Club. He gave valuable service to Corpus as a member of what was then our Investment Advisory Group. 

Sir Ronald and his wife, Jane Hampel, had four children and 14 grandchildren.

As a mark of respect, the College armorial is flying at half-mast today.

Pictured: Sir Ronald with the late Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh at the Eden Centre, of which he was Chairman of the Trustees.