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Raj Loomba appointed to Board of Governors at University of East London

Monday 31 March 2008

Leading industrialist and philanthropist Raj Loomba has joined the Board of Governors of the University of East London (UEL).

Widely known as a champion of widows’ rights, Raj Loomba’s campaigning achievements are based on a successful business career as founder of Rinku Group PLC, the fashion and clothing company of which he is Executive Chairman.

Raj Loomba is also a longstanding supporter of business and cultural relations between India and the United Kingdom. He is chairman of India First PLC and in 1997, chaired the organizing committee for the British Indian Golden Jubilee Banquet with The Prince of Wales, Tony Blair and three of his predecessors, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of India’s independence.

In 2002, Raj Loomba became the first Indian to be elected to the Council of the Royal Society of International Affairs (Chatham House) and has been active in its development over the six years, particularly in setting up Chatham House Prize.

Raj Loomba is a tireless campaigner for improving the plight of widows and their children all over the world. Raj and Veena Loomba set up the Shrimati Pushpa Wati Loomba Trust as a charitable trust in 1997. Today the Trust educates over 3,600 children throughout India, including 500 in Tamil Nadu who lost their father or both parents in the tsunami.

In 2005, Raj launched 23 June as International Widows Day to provide a focus for building effective global action to combat the cycle of poverty, disease and injustice that is faced by millions of widows all over the world.

In 2006, the Loomba Trust organized an International Widows Conference at the Foreign Office in London, chaired by Cherie Booth QC and with the Prince of Wales and Sir Richard Branson as patrons. He is now seeking official UN recognition of 23 June as International Widows Day.

Mr Loomba said: “Education is most important for any individual anywhere in the world and we all have a duty to help and support the educational institutions. I feel honoured and look forward to working with the Vice Chancellor and other members of the Board at the University of East London.”

Alan Ingle, Clerk to the Board of Governors of the University of East London, said: “We are delighted to welcome Raj Loomba to our Board. He brings a wide range of experience and skills and I know that he will make a valuable contribution to our development.”

Raj is also Vice President of Safer London Foundation, Chairman of Friends of Three Faiths Forum, UK, Vice-President of Barnardo’s, the UK’s leading children’s charity, Founding Patron of the World Punjabi Organisation and a Freeman of the City of London. He and his wife Veena have two daughters and one son, and three granddaughters.

For details and pictures contact Daniel Cherry: 020 8223 2194

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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