Paul Murphy (1980-2023)

Paul Murphy passed away in March, aged 42, after being diagnosed with lymphoma in 2021. 

Numerous colleagues from Co-operatives UK, past and present, were in attendance at Paul's funeral, which took place on Monday (17 April) in Prestwich, Manchester.

Paul was Head of Digital at Co-operatives UK from 2012 until June 2020 and was a hugely valued and popular member of Co-operatives UK's Management Team. He led the trade body's digital transformation and also performed the same role for several sister organisations based in Holyoake House.

Paul had the unique ability to translate his ideas and solutions into things that everyone could use and understand. He was a caring and supportive colleague who always took the time to engage with people and enable them to be at their best.

While completing a part-time MSc, funded by Co-operatives UK, Paul wrote a research dissertation on advancing AI using algorithms inspired by genetics. It inspired him to continue in academia and in 2020 Paul left Co-operatives UK to study for a Doctorate. The PhD project was based at The Centre for Doctoral Training in AI, Machine Learning and Advanced Computing (a collaboration of five universities), funded and supported by IBM and UKRI.  

Paul was passionate about access to technology for learning. He was co-founder of the Tekkatho Foundation, a charity that provides digital education to students in Myanmar, through a network of digital libraries, including in areas of the country without internet access.

In 2016, the Foundation was recognised by members of the House of Lords, including former Co-op Party MP Lord Knight, and Myanmar’s first democratically elected president, Aung San Suu Kyi, who supported the project from its inception. She emphasised the role education and access to knowledge has played – and continues to play – in improving the quality of life for the Myanmar people. Paul was instrumental in the charity’s achievements and, through it, his work will live on.

Notwithstanding his personal, academic and career achievements, the thing we will remember most about Paul is how much fun he was to be around. Always the first to arrive at a party (with a Bailey’s cheesecake) and often the last one on the dance floor. We will miss his tales of touring the UK in his campervan (Miss Vanjie) with his sidekick Chester, the dog, and their best mate Sylvain.

Paul's family have asked for any donations to go to the Tekkatho Foundation.