Roy Helmore (1926-2017) CBE

Areas of Interest

Health Care, Education

Honorary Award

Honorary Doctor of Education, 2008

Biography

Roy Helmore was Principal of Cambridgeshire College of Arts and Technology (CCAT) from 1977-1986, a forerunner of what is now this Cambridge and Chelmsford based University. The Helmore Building, which sits at the very heart of our Cambridge campus, is named after him.

At the time he came to the CCAT in 1977, it was offering a mixture of advanced courses (degree and equivalent) and non advanced (A Levels and National Diplomas). Referred to as the 'seamless robe', this mix was greatly admired nationally. Roy was faced with many challenges during his time as Principal due to shortcomings in the teaching accommodation and increasing doubts about the future of mixed provision courses. He guided the Academic Board, governors and staff through these and other difficulties and worked tirelessly to both improve facilities and establish the College within the region.

Roy gained a BSc in Engineering at Edinburgh and was a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology. At CCAT he became a Fellow of Hughes Hall and gained an MA (Cantab). Before coming to CCAT, he was Principal of St Albans College of Further Education from 1961-1977. He was a member of the BBC FE Advisory Council, the Technician Education Council and the Association of Principals of Colleges, of which he was, at different times, Honorary Secretary, President (1972-3) and Honorary Treasurer. Roy was also a member of the Manpower Services Commission and was honoured with a CBE in 1980.

In 2008, Roy Helmore CBE was awarded the Honorary degree of Doctor of Education.

Citation

"It is my pleasure to read the Citation for Roy Helmore CBE for the award of Honorary Doctor of Education.

Roy Helmore is a name that is significant in the history of Anglia Ruskin University, particularly in one of its previous guises. The flagship building on East Road, the Helmore Building, which sits at the very heart of the Cambridge campus, is indeed, named after him. He was Principal of Cambridgeshire College of Arts and Technology (CCAT) from 1977 to 1986, a forerunner of what is now this Cambridge and Chelmsford based University which today embraces much of the east of England.

At the time he came to the CCAT in 1977, it was offering a mixture of advanced courses (degree and equivalent) and non advanced (A Levels and National Diplomas). This mix in Cambridge was referred to as the 'seamless robe' which was greatly admired nationally. Roy was faced with many challenges during his time as Principal due to shortcomings in the teaching accommodation and increasing doubts about the future of mixed provision courses. He guided the Academic Board, governors and staff through these and other difficulties.

He worked tirelessly to both improve facilities and establish the College within the region as a recognised provider of higher education services. The opening of the new Helmore Building was a triumph: degree work was further extended and initial groundwork for the subsequent transfer of non advanced courses to the Cambridge College of Further Education was undertaken. These developments made possible the subsequent merger with the Essex Institute which, in turn, led to Polytechnic and University status.

Roy is a quiet, dignified man who is blessed with steely determination and an excellent grasp of both detail and strategy. He was admired and respected by all his staff and his college management team. Like the mythical creature Scylla he had six Heads (of Department), who enjoyed his impish sense of humour.

Looking back at Roy's education and career highlights, we note that he gained a BSc in Engineering at Edinburgh and is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology. While at CCAT he became a Fellow of Hughes Hall and gained an MA (Cantab). Before coming to CCAT, he had been Principal of St Albans College of Further Education from 1961-1977. He has been a member of the BBC FE Advisory Council, the Technician Education Council and the Association of Principals of Colleges, of which he held at various times the offices of Hon secretary, Treasurer and President. He was a member of the Manpower Services Commission and was honoured with a CBE in 1980.

Now very much enjoying his retirement, it is rumoured that this gifted 'friend and creator' of Anglia Ruskin is now taking things at a little slower pace, although he has found the time to write an account of the institution he worked for, 'CCAT - A Brief History' published in 1989. His current recreations are painting watercolours, gardening and bowls.

Roy Helmore CBE, I hereby invite the Vice Chancellor to confer upon you the award of Honorary Doctor of Education."