Remembering Professor Brian Ray, Principal, Newman College of Higher Education (1993 – 2000)

Professor Brian Ray, was appointed Principal of Newman College of Higher Education in 1993. He came to Newman from his role as Pro Vice-Chancellor at Coventry University and as an internationally well-known research physicist.

During the years of his leadership of Newman, he led the way in our endeavours to respond in the first instance to the learning skills gap, supporting the development of teachers in Key Stage 2 and 3 English and Science, and in turn to sustaining and diversifying the range of programmes that Newman offered. It was under Brian’s tenure that the development of single and joint honours degrees to complement the existing teacher training provision occurred. These developments were further enhanced and secured with the move of degree accreditation to Coventry University. Brian retired from Newman in 2000 and sadly died in April 2022. Our condolences and prayers are with his wife Sue, family, friends and former colleagues.

Brian was a convert to Catholicism who saw his time at Newman as a way of giving back in thankfulness to an expanding sector of Catholic Higher Education for what he had received and been able to achieve from education.

We are thankful for this contribution and service and pray that he may now enjoy his eternal reward. May he rest in peace.