Shabir Randeree: New Chancellor of East London University

As you walk to the East London University from Stratford station you realise the incredible transformation that has gone on in this area. 10 years ago Stratford and its surroundings were one of the poorest run down areas in the country, but not today. The legacy of the 2012 Olympic Games has turned this east London ‘rough diamond’, into a sparkling set of jewels. And one of those jewels has to be the new building housing the East London University.

Last night, the University warmly welcomed its newest Chancellor: Banker, entrepreneur and philanthropist Shabir Randeree CBE. In the spirit of the new and dynamic energy of this part of London, the New Chancellor set out his stall for taking the University to great heights: "My fellow South African Nelson Mandela said", 'that education is the most powerful tool that we can use to change our world’, "and I want this educational institution to be one of the best education tools in the world.”

In an impassioned speech he continued to outline that he not only wants this institution to have great departments in law, engineering and other scholarly areas, but also civic empowerment; arguing, "I want students to better understand the world around them and have the democratic tools to improve it. ” Many dignitaries including Baroness Sayeeda Warsi attended the event. But it was the capital’s Mayor Sadiq Khan who gave the keynote speech applauding Randeree as someone who’ll continue to ensure the university goes from strength to strength in its academic excellence and high student satisfaction.

I’ve known Shabir Randeree for a number of years now. He’s not flash or showy, but he does have a quiet fortitude that gets great things done. We must all wish him the very best in his new endeavour.

Simon Woolley