Biography
Dr Richard Sykes (1946-2019) studied natural sciences at Cambridge University, specialising in chemistry, followed by a PhD in biosynthetic chemistry at Yale University, and first becoming an employee of ICI in 1973. There he also met his wife, Penny Mason. Together they became avid art collectors championing young, emerging artists. They enjoyed being at the centre of a debate with 'bright young minds' and were generous supporters of the Contemporary Art Society and its Future Fund as well as its Honorary Patrons from 2009. Sykes was also Chair of the De La Warr Pavilion Charitable Trust (2003–08), leading the Board during the De La Warr Pavilion refurbishment project of 2003-05.
