LONDON, MAY 16, 2005
PTI
Leading non-resident India entrepreneur Karan Bilimoria
will be the next chancellor of the Thames Valley University
here, it was officially announced on Monday.
The founder-chief executive of Cobra beer, who will
be the youngest and the fourth Chancellor of the University,
follows Lord Swraj Paul, Sir William Stubbs and the
late Lord Hamlyn. He will be officially installed
as Chancellor at a ceremony to be held at the University's
Ealing campus tomorrow.
Making the announcement Dino Adriano, Chair of the
Governing Body at the University said: "In appointing
the University's new Chancellor, the governors were
looking for an outstanding individual who could represent
and inspire the extraordinary diverse student body
that makes TVU such a distinctive University.
"I am confident that in Karan Bilimoria we have
someone exceptional who will not only be a real inspiration
to the University community but who will also promote
the interests of TVU with his renowned determination
and flair."
Bilimoria said: "I am truly honoured to accept
the Chancellorship of Thames Valley University - a
University with which I am proud to have been associated
for a number of years, particularly as a member of
the Governing Body.
"The University's commitment to providing learning
opportunities to all those who can benefit, throughout
their lives, regardless of their background is one
I wholly support," he added.
"In seeking to ensure that students have the
skills and knowledge to equip them to play a successful
role in the workplace and make an active contribution
to their communities, TVU performs a remarkable and
invaluable function for the economy and people of
West London and the Thames Valley," Bilimoria
said.
Bilimoria, who was awarded the CBE in 2004, has won
11 major business awards, including being honoured
last year as Business Person of the Year by the London
Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Karan is a Government advisor serving on the National
Employment Panel, chairing its Small and Medium Sized
Enterprise (SME) Board, and has recently been appointed
a National Champion of the National Council for Graduate
Entrepreneurship by Chancellor Gordon Brown.
Karan is also one of the first Visiting Entrepreneurs
at the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning University
of Cambridge. Karan has been a Governor of TVU since
2001 and has supported a wide range of University
activities with many staff and students benefiting
from his advice, support and inspiration.
The University's Vice Chancellor, Professor Geoff
Crispin said: "We are extraordinarily fortune
that Karan Bilimoria has agreed to continue his association
with TVU through becoming our new Chancellor. Even
before becoming a Governor of the University, Karan
proved himself to be an invaluable friend to TVU and
I have no doubt he will be an exceptional Chancellor.
His unrivalled record of creativity, innovation and
success makes him a fantastic role model for the University's
47,000 students
