The Dr Eric Cliffe Memorial
We’d like to thank the Cliffe family for their generous donation in memory of Dr Eric Edward Cliffe.
This piece of equipment, the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, is an analytical methodology used in industry and academic laboratories to understand the structure of individual molecules and the composition of molecular mixtures, it is used a lot in pharmaceutical research. The equipment used is a benchtop item that would be used for general teaching and outreach work.
About Dr Eric Cliffe
Dr Eric Cliffe studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge University and then undertook a DPhil at Oxford University. He came to Nottingham in the 1960s to work at the Boots Company PLC where he developed Ibuprofen and rose to Managing Director. In retirement he served on a number of boards in the Nottinghamshire area including the board of governors at Nottingham Trent University.
He also collected many honours, including becoming a Fellow of the Royal Society of both Biology and Chemistry and the Institute of Directors. After retirement, he served on several boards, including Nottingham Trent University.
- Born in December 1932.
- Did two years of national service with the Royal Artillery.
- Took up a place to read Natural Sciences at Jesus College, Cambridge.
- Took a Doctor of Philosophy at University of Oxford. He met his wife, Rosemary, here in 1953. They had a 54-year marriage and two daughters (one is called Marion). Rosemary died in 2015.
- Had an extremely successful career at Boots (Nottingham). He was accredited with the development of the drug Ibuprofen. He progressed right through the company to eventually becoming Managing Director (1992).
- Former Director at British Pharma Group (1991-1992).
- Former Director at Green, Young & Company (1991-1992).
- Former Director at C.L. (Basingstoke) (1991-1992).
- Former Director at Nottingham Consultants (1991-1995).
- Former Director at Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare International (1992).
- Former Director at BC (1992).
- Former Director at Nottingham Development Enterprise (1992-1996).
- Former Director at Greater Nottingham Rapid Transit (1993-1996).
- Former Director at Boots Charitable Trust (1995-1999) that supports the local community in Nottinghamshire.
- Former Director at Age UK Nottingham & Nottinghamshire (1999-2004) that provides a range of services for older people from all communities and backgrounds in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
- Died in June 2020, aged 87.