Karan Bilimoria becomes UK''s youngest university Chancellor

Mumbai: Karan Bilimoria, CBE, DL, founder and chief executive of Cobra Beer has been appointed the chancellor of Thames Valley University of the UK. This was announced by Dino Adriano, chair of the governing body at Thames Valley University.

Bilimoria follows the late Lord Hamlyn, Lord Paul of Marylebone and Sir William Stubbs as the university''s fourth chancellor. Bilimoria is the UK''s youngest chancellor, the third Asian to be appointed in this position and the second male Asian to hold the post. He is also only one of five chancellors in the UK to represent an ethnic minority.

According to Adriano, "In appointing the university''s new chancellor, the governors were looking for an outstanding individual who could represent and inspire the extraordinarily 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 is recognised nationally and internationally as one of his generation''s outstanding entrepreneurs. He has won eleven major business awards, including being honoured last year as ''business person of the year by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.