Derek Roberts

Sir Derek Harry Roberts (28 March 1932 – 17 February 2021) was an English engineer and academic who served as the Provost of University College London (UCL) from 1989 to 1999 and again from 2002 to 2003. Prior to his academic career, Roberts worked in industrial scientific research at Plessey's Caswell research centre and later at the GEC Hirst Research Centre. He made significant contributions to early semiconductor research, earning him fellowships in the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering. During his tenure as Provost, UCL underwent significant expansion, merging with institutions such as the Institute of Child Health and the Royal Free Medical School. Roberts retired in 1999.