Tej Lalvani, CEO of Vitabiotics and investor on the popular BBC programme Dragons’ Den, will join the University of Westminster as a Visiting Professor at Westminster Business School.
Through his appointment as a Visiting Professor, Tej Lalvani’s experience and influence will allow enhanced opportunities for Westminster students to learn from an industry leader and his connections in the business sector. Having grown Vitabiotics into the UK’s leading vitamins provider, Lalvani will be able to share his expertise and knowledge with entrepreneurial students and increase their employability prospects.
Key projects that Lalvani will be involved with upon his appointment include an annual guest lecture for entrepreneurship students, taking part in the development of Westminster’s new student centre and taking part in the ‘What it Takes’ alumni series.
Talking about his appointment, Tej Lalvani said: “I am very grateful and honoured for having been awarded a visiting Professorship and look forward to working with the University of Westminster over the coming years. My experience at the University of Westminster as a student was very memorable and filled with many learnings, which makes me excited to engage in this exciting chapter and partnership, returning to my original business roots.
“The dedication and passion of students and teachers alike is inspiring, and I look forward to joining the University as Visiting Professor to not only educate, but I hope to also inspire and support our next generation of leaders in the business sector and beyond.”
Lalvani spent his childhood between India and the UK before settling in London at the age of 16. At 18, Lalvani began his four-year Business Studies undergraduate degree at Westminster Business School.
His first role at Vitabiotics was as a forklift truck driver in the warehouse. He then took a rotational role in each department to understand every functionality of the company in depth, building a wealth of knowledge and experience which would eventually equip him to take over from his father as CEO.
Over the past 20 years, Lalvani has overseen the phenomenal growth of Vitabiotics, driving the company’s expansion to sell its products in over 100 countries. With Lalvani’s father remaining as Chairman, the family business run by the Westminster alumnus is renowned for producing many of the UK’s number one selling vitamins including Wellwoman, Perfectil and Pregnacare.
Lalvani’s dedication and perseverance working his way up the ladder saw him crowned ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ twice – first at the Asian Business Awards in 2012 and then at the TiE UK Awards in 2013. Most recently, Lalvani ranked at number 48 on the GG2 Power List of the most Influential Asian people in Britain and was also featured on India Gazette London’s ‘The India-UK Power List 2017’.
Many people will also recognise Lalvani as one of the investors on the BBC hit show Dragons’ Den, in which budding entrepreneurs pitch to a panel of successful investors to secure funds and expert advice in exchange for a stake in their business.
Talking about Lalvani’s appointment, Professor Malcolm Kirkup, Head of Westminster Business School, said: “Colleagues at Westminster Business School and across the University are delighted to be welcoming Tej Lalvani as our new Visiting Professor. Tej is an internationally recognised and acclaimed entrepreneur, and CEO of the globally successful nutrition company, Vitabiotics. He is also a graduate of Westminster Business School.
“To say we are proud to call Tej one of our alumni is something of an understatement. Tej will support our work in promoting enterprise and opening new networks for the benefit of students right across the University, particularly through the new activities planned at 29 Marylebone Road.”
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