Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Lioncroft's Jason Wouhra OBE named Chancellor of Aston University

Lioncroft's Jason Wouhra OBE named Chancellor of Aston University
Lioncroft Wholesale CEO Dr Jason Wouhra OBE

Aston University has appointed esteemed Lioncroft Wholesale chief executive Dr Jason Wouhra OBE as its new Chancellor, thus becoming the first Chancellor of Asian heritage.

Dr Wouhra, who was awarded an honorary doctorate for his contribution to entrepreneurship and business development by the Birmingham-based university in 2014, is the fifth Chancellor to be appointed to Aston University since its inception. Not only is he the first Chancellor of Asian heritage to stand, but he is also the youngest.


“Taking on this role is both a privilege and an honour,” Dr Wouhra said. “My connection with Aston University runs deep and I have long respected its commitment to delivering a truly outstanding education while creating and nurturing a community rich in diversity, heart and soul for its students, people, businesses and the wider local area.

“Aston’s core values of inclusivity, entrepreneurialism and transformation align perfectly with my own and I am looking forward to working alongside its dedicated, talented staff and students to help propel the university towards its 2030 strategic goals of becoming a leading university of science, technology and enterprise.

“As Chancellor, I will endeavour to champion and support the university to achieve its mission and vision, while living its values, and build on its formidable legacy for the future.”

Over the past 15 years, Dr Wouhra has taken on a number of prominent positions including non-executive director of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, and in 2013, he became the youngest and first BAME chairman of the Institute of Directors in the West Midlands.

He has also held past and present chairmanships of the West Midlands India Partnership, Library of Birmingham Advisory Board, Asian Chamber of Commerce, Birmingham Child Poverty Commission, Aston University Development Board and was vice chair of the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership and board member of European Structural and Investment Fund.

Dr Wouhra was awarded an OBE by Her Majesty the Queen in 2017 for services to business and international trade.

Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor Aleks Subic, said, “Dr Jason Wouhra has been a strong supporter of the University for many years.

“He has a deep personal commitment to the role that education can play in opening opportunities for young people of all backgrounds and an understanding of the wider contribution universities make to the economy and society as a whole.

“As an accomplished entrepreneur and business leader of Asian heritage, he has demonstrated what inclusive growth success looks like in Birmingham and the Midlands. I know he will be an outstanding ambassador for Aston University in his role as Chancellor.”

More for you

Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre
Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre

'Devastating and out of touch' – indies react to Budget bombshell

Following the initial response condemning the Budget as 'the most damaging for independent retailers in recent memory' from the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira), members have shared their stark reactions to the triple burden of doubled business rates, increased National Insurance, and higher minimum wage costs.

Multiple retailers have calculated specific impacts on their businesses, with costs ranging from £90,000 to £150,000 per year.

"This budget was horrendous for us as a company. Estimated costs to be around £110,000 - £120,000 per year," said Andrew Massey of Masseys DIY in Swadlincote, Derbyshire.

Keep ReadingShow less
Brocks at Rockwell Green store

Brocks at Rockwell Green store

Christie & Co

'Popular' Somerset store on the market as long-term owners retire


Brocks at Rockwell Green, a Premier-branded convenience store near Wellington, Somerset is on the market as owners Simon and Rachel Brock are now looking to retire - after running the store for nearly 25 years.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney

Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds announced as new co-owners of Wrexham Lager

Wrexham Lager Beer Co Ltd, the oldest lager brewery still existing in Britain that has been brewing in Wales since 1882, has announced Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds as new co-owners of the company alongside the Roberts family.

The acquisition was made by Red Dragon Ventures, a joint venture formed by The R.R. McReynolds Company, majority owner of Wrexham AFC, and the Allyn family of Skaneateles, New York. Red Dragon Ventures was created to drive growth in the Wrexham community and Wrexham AFC.

Keep ReadingShow less
Solar and wind power
iStock

Leading beverage brands join forces to accelerate renewable energy adoption

Ten global beverage companies have joined forces under a new industry-wide consortium, called REfresh Alliance, which is designed to help accelerate renewable energy adoption across the industry’s supply chain.

The new initiative invites additional companies from across the beverage industry to pool and scale their resources to remove barriers to renewable energy adoption in the supply chain, provide education on best market practices and support the industry’s transition to Net Zero.

Keep ReadingShow less
disposable vapes

Single-use disposable vapes are displayed for sale on October 27, 2024 in London, England

Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images

Vape industry concerned over chancellor’s vaping duty proposal

Vape industry bodies have raised concerns over chancellor Rachel Reeves’ budget announcement introducing a flat-rate excise duty on vaping products, saying it could hurt public health and increase financial pressures on consumers.

The new excise tax, set to begin on October 1, 2026, will add £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid, with additional VAT. This rate replaces the previous government’s proposed tiered tax structure, which many in the industry had criticised.

Keep ReadingShow less