Since then, he has held positions in such companies as Black+Decker, British Steel and General Electric Plastics, before joining the hotel industry in 2005 as Chief Executive of Hilton International. In 2020, he became chairman of Watches of Switzerland PLC, and most recently took on a position as Chair of Italian food store Eataly. In addition, Ian has sat on numerous boards, including for the Del Frisco restaurant group and Boston University. 

Ian's career can be summarised by reaching the top in things he initially knew nothing about, from running a chemical company at General Electric to Black+Decker, manufacturer of power tools, accessories and home improvement products. Focusing on Europe and Asia, this role allowed Ian to see the world. He estimates he's visited over a hundred countries. 

I was lucky in the choices I made, because you really don’t know at that time. I’m someone who researches things naturally, and it’s served me well throughout my career. Having made that decision to move to General Electric, I moved very quickly into an international role. I worked in Belgium, France, then moved to the U.S., and effectively I’ve been there ever since.”

Ian’s focus has turned to the impact of business in the wider world, having a positive impact on people’s lives. 

At the very start, the motivation for me at least was just to be successful, to continue to grow and hopefully be promoted. I think as time passed there are other things that drive and motivate, like having an impact on the business in its broadest sense.

When you chair a business, you start thinking about shareholder interest, long-term success, succession and development, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) measures and broader environmental impact measures.” 

Student support has always been at the centre of Ian’s giving, from donating towards the Paul Hamlyn Library to funding several scholarships and bursaries each year. 

It was a very natural decision to give back, both in terms of time and financial support. For me, being able to support those less fortunate or who have similar goals, through the Ian Carter awards, gives me a great deal of satisfaction.” 

The Carter Foundation Scholarship has directly helped UWL students overcome challenges and relieve financial burdens of studying and living in London. Ian believes that being able to see their progress is what makes it so rewarding and has inspired his continued support. 

Receiving the scholars thank you letters is testament to the power of philanthropy and the direct impact it can have in removing barriers and I think, now more than ever, it is crucial to help provide students with the platform to succeed.” 

The University of West London is incredibly grateful to all of those who have supported us. Philanthropy has been such a vital part of our growth, allowing us to see students realise their full potential, fund leading research and enhance our campus through state-of-the-art facilities. 

Whether it’s setting up a monthly donation, opening the door to corporate giving opportunities or hosting an event to raise funds for UWL, giving back can be a great way to see the direct impact your support will have towards the future of UWL.

• To learn more about how you can help support us and the options that work best for you, please contact development@uwl.ac.uk