In Memoriam: Peter Raymond MBE

The Trustees of FSTC: Prof. Salim Al-Hassani, Prof. M. El-Gomati, Peter Fell, Ian Fenn, Mohammed Hafiz, Zeki Poyraz It is with great sadness that we announce the passing away of our dear friend and colleague Peter Raymond MBE, founding Trustee of The Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation (FSTC), the parent organisation of 1001 Inventions and Curriculum Enrichment (CE4CE). Peter also founded and chaired the Muslim Heritage Awareness Group (MHAG) of FSTC, a network that encourages public figures, especially academics, to support the main objectives of the Foundation which are to raise global awareness of the importance and relevance of Muslim heritage and its mostly unacknowledged scientific contributions to current world civilisation and also to promote social cohesion and inter-cultural appreciation through education.

Peter Raymond MBE, 1938-2011 Founding Trustee of FSTC & 1001 Inventions & CE4CE

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend and colleague Peter Raymond MBE, founding Trustee of The Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation (FSTC) UK, the parent organisation of 1001 Inventions and Curriculum Enrichment (CE4CE). Peter also founded and chaired the Muslim Heritage Awareness Group (MHAG) of FSTC. This network encourages public figures, especially academics, to support the main objectives of the Foundation which are to raise global awareness of the importance and relevance of Muslim heritage and its mostly unacknowledged scientific contributions to current world civilisation and also to promote social cohesion and inter-cultural appreciation through education.

Peter was a great inspiration to all those who worked with him, especially the staff and associates of the FSTC, 1001 Inventions and CE4CE. He was a man of vision, commitment and passion who believed strongly in our collective mission. Although much of Peter’s work was commercial in nature, it linked into the promotion and funding of research into diseases – in particularly diabetes – through the promotion of the ethical application of biotechnology and stem cell research. A separate summary of Peter’s professional career is appended as a foot note.^[*]

His social and charitable activities ranged from governor of school to founding member of numerous organisations, the most recent of which is the Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute (PVRI). Peter was a true lover of football. He was Vice President of the Manchester Football club and those who knew Peter were also left in no doubt about his strong support for Manchester United FC.

Peter Raymond at 1001 Inventions Glasgow Exhibition, 23rd October 2007

Peter will be sadly missed by all the staff at FSTC, MHAG and 1001 Inventions. We will treasure his memory and remember him with great fondness. We would like to express our heartfelt and sincere condolences to Peter’s family and friends. It was an honour to have such an inspirational, enthusiastic and indefatigable character as a friend, colleague, confidant and guide.

Peter Raymond at UK House of Parliament for 1001 Inventions Social Cohesion Event, 15th October 2008

Peter made a vital and sustained contribution to numerous educational initiatives because he was an advocate and guardian of our values. He was an exuberant, larger than life figure with a big heart and powerful intellect. He will leave a big hole in our lives – perhaps that is one of the ways to measure a man. However, as the proverb says, “behind every successful man there is a woman.” How true this was in Peter’s case. Elizabeth (Lis), to whom he was married for 47 years, was an exemplary wife and great supporter in all that he did. Peter and Lis were blessed with 4 children; 1 girl and 3 boys (the youngest of who is adopted) and 7 grandchildren.

Peter passed away at 9.30pm on Wednesday 26th of January 2011 at Wythenshawe Hospital following a long battle with failing health.

The Trustees of FSTC,
Prof. Salim Al-Hassani, Prof. M. El-Gomati, Peter Fell, Ian Fenn, Mohammed Hafiz, Zeki Poyraz

Peter Raymond: a short sketch

Peter Raymond at 1001 Inventions, Manchester Exhibition,9th March 2006

Peter was an energetic businessman with a practical knowledge and successful business career in both large corporations (e.g. Geigy, Ciba Geigy and Dexter) and small high technology companies.

The highlights of Peter’s 42-year career have included starting and building a medium sized chemical company (Compounding Ingredients Ltd), being European Director of Corporate Development for the Dexter Corporation (a fortune 500 company and the oldest quoted company on the New York Stock Exchange) and starting UMIST Ventures Ltd and managing it for 9 years through the establishment of 20 new start-up companies and over 70 income generating licenses.

From December 1997, Peter was the Chairman of Tepnel Life Sciences PLC, a fully quoted company on the London Stock Exchange. Between 1998 and 2001, he was group CEO, but returned to become non executive Chairman until April 2003.

Between 2001 and 2005 Peter was the Chairman of Bionow (the NWDA’s steering group on Biotechnology) and in 2003 became Chairman of Mersey Bio and a Vice President of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee. He was a director of SUEL (Sheffield University Enterprise Ltd) and initiated the BIOFUSION organization which floated on AIM in 2005. In 2002 Peter was given the North West Biotechnology Personality of the Year award and became an MBE in 2003 for services to the UK Biotechnology Industry.

Peter Raymond with Margaret Morris, copy editor within FSTC and member of the Muslim Heritage editorial team, and Mrs Lis Raymond at 1001 Inventions Glasgow Exhibition 23rd October 2007