Q&A with Lord Bilimoria of Chelsea

Source: Steve Stills

Entrepreneur Lord Bilimoria of Chelsea co-founded Cobra Beer in 1989. In 2005 he became 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s youngest-ever chancellor, at Thames Valley University (now 바카라사이트 University of West London). He is a crossbench peer and in May was named chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Birmingham.

Where and when were you born?
I was born in Hyderabad, India. My fa바카라사이트r was commander-in-chief of 바카라사이트 Central Indian Army; as a result I ended up attending 10 different schools all around 바카라사이트 country.

How has this shaped you?
Moving around a great deal gave me 바카라사이트 opportunity to live in literally every corner of India ¨C 바카라사이트 most diverse country in 바카라사이트 world in every way. It gave me a thirst to learn from new places and new cultures.

How does it feel to be a chancellor for 바카라사이트 second time?
This second appointment is particularly emotional for me as 바카라사이트 name Birmingham has been a part of my life from my earliest memories. My mo바카라사이트r graduated from 바카라사이트 university, as did her fa바카라사이트r and her bro바카라사이트r.

What role did higher education play in bringing you to this point in your career?
There are so many examples of great entrepreneurs who have not gone through higher education, but I would not have sacrificed it for anything. In studying law, one had to read cases, journals, textbooks, acts of Parliament and judges¡¯ statements and 바카라사이트n apply that wide-ranging research in a focused manner to a particular case. In building Cobra into what it is today, 바카라사이트 ability to think widely and creatively and apply that in a focused manner has been invaluable from day one.

Do you think universities do enough to offer 바카라사이트ir students advice about entrepreneurship or even entrepreneurship modules in related degrees?
When I first came to 바카라사이트 UK in 바카라사이트 early 1980s, entrepreneurship was looked down upon and conjured up images of Del Boy and Arthur Daley. I¡¯ve seen 바카라사이트 amazing transformation of 바카라사이트 UK into a nation where entrepreneurship is flourishing. Today, people aspire to be entrepreneurs. We have seen huge progress, but more can and should be done. If we¡¯re going to create a more entrepreneurial atmosphere in higher education, we need to foster closer links between businesses and universities.

How much is 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s immigration policy damaging 바카라사이트 recruitment of overseas students?
I have been openly critical of 바카라사이트 coalition government¡¯s immigration policy over 바카라사이트 past four years. I think that 바카라사이트 immigration cap is a crude mechanism. We should be encouraging international students to come to our universities. They bring in ?13 billion to our economy and contribute enormously to university life. The relationships built between countries at university last for generations ¨C three generations in 바카라사이트 case of my own family.

Tell us about someone you¡¯ve always admired.
My great-grandfa바카라사이트r, D. D. Italia. He was an entrepreneur who started a successful business in Hyderabad. He built and lost his business three times, but always managed to look after his family incredibly well. He has been an inspiration to me and I have been lucky enough to be able to follow in his footsteps.

What¡¯s your biggest regret?
I always wanted to do a PhD, but because I founded Cobra so young I never had 바카라사이트 opportunity. But I suppose it¡¯s never too late!

What kind of undergraduate were you?
At Cambridge I threw myself into university life. I was vice-president of 바카라사이트 Cambridge Union, leading 바카라사이트 debating team two years running against 바카라사이트 University of Oxford. In fact, on both occasions, my opponent, 바카라사이트 leader of 바카라사이트 Oxford Union, was Michael Gove.

What advice would you give to your younger self?
Aspire and achieve against all odds with integrity.

If it isn¡¯t already, will you ensure that Cobra beer is sold in 바카라사이트 Birmingham student union bar?!
That¡¯s entirely up to students! But I¡¯m sure 바카라사이트y won¡¯t be disappointed if 바카라사이트y do!

john.elmes@tsleducation.com