Wellcome and goodbye

This week's alumnus to be proud of, No 160 in the series, knows a little about educational quality. Sir Richard Sykes took a first in microbiology at Queen Elizabeth College, London, and a PhD in microbial chemistry at Bristol.

More recently, as chairman of Glaxo Wellcome, he plotted the formation of the world's biggest drugs company with plans to merge with SmithKline Beecham. The plans are off, after a tiff about which of the top dogs would get which big job. So perhaps Sir Richard now has enough free time to resume the membership of the QAA which he resigned in January due to pressure of work.