Laurence Geller was installed as the Chancellor of the University of West London in May 2011. As Chairman of Geller Investment Co LLC and an alumnus of University of West London, Laurence has over 45 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He also has a long-held association with University of West London, having graduated from the School of Hotel Management and Catering at the institution when it was Ealing Technical College.
In March 2009, Laurence received University of West London’s Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award, and in November 2010, received an honorary doctorate. He was awarded a CBE by the Queen in the New Year's Honours List.
Laurence serves on a number of boards relating to the real estate and lodging industries, including as Co-Chairman of the Industry Real Estate Financing Advisory Council of the American Hotel and Lodging Association and as American Ambassador and Fellow to the UK-based Institute of Hospitality.
Also a respected philanthropist, he is Chairman of the Churchill Centre, and a serving member of, amongst others, the President’s Council of the Midwest Region of the US Fund for UNICEF, and The National Leadership Council for the American Jewish Committee. Laurence has received numerous awards for his charitable endeavours.
On being appointed to the post, Laurence said
'Words are inadequate to express both the honour and my delight at returning 'home' after some 40 plus years since my graduation. Our University has achieved so very much and has a shining future ahead of it. I am committed to doing everything I possibly can to contribute to the terrific work being done by the Vice-Chancellor and Board of Governors and their undoubted success as it enters the next stage of its inevitable growth. I hope I can give back just a fraction of what the University has given me.'
Visit Laurence Geller's website for more information about his work.