The Lord Verjee | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2019 | |
| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal | |
| Assumed office 17 September 2013 Life peerage | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1957 (age 67–68) Kampala, Uganda |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Haileybury College |
| Alma mater | Downing College, Cambridge |
| Occupation | Businessman and philanthropist |
| Known for | FoundingDomino's Pizza in the UK |
Rumi Verjee, Baron Verjee,CBE (born 1957), is a British businessman, philanthropist andLiberal Democrat member of theHouse of Lords.[1] Born inUganda, Rumi moved to the UK as a child before studying atDowning College, Cambridge.
Rumi Verjee was born in Uganda and spent his early childhood inKenya before coming to Britain. Many of the Verjee family assets were seized underIdi Amin's regime in theexpulsion of Indians in Uganda in 1972.[2]
He attendedHaileybury College, Hertford, andDowning College, Cambridge, where he gained a BA in law, before beingcalled to the Bar fromMiddle Temple.[3]
Aged 27, Verjee approachedTom Monaghan at a conference in the US, and persuaded him to sell thefranchising rights toDomino's Pizza in the UK.[2] Verjee launched the chain in Britain and it now employs over 20,000 people in the UK.[4][5] Verjee sold his stake in the firm in 1989, and went on to oversee the development of theBrompton Hospital site. From 1993 until 1997, Verjee, alongside the singerElton John, co-ownedWatford F.C.[3] In 1995, he boughtThomas Goode, which holds two royal warrants and has over 160 years experience in iconic glassworks.[6][7] He sold Thomas Goode in 2018.
Verjee established a UK Charity calledThe Rumi Foundation in 2006.[8] The Foundation supports humanitarian work through education, innovation and knowledge building. Its work is principally focussed in the UK but has also supported projects in India, East Africa and South America.
In keeping with its aims, the Foundation has supported a number of initiatives including:
In 2009, Verjee was awarded aCBE for his charitable work.[18][19] In addition, theBritish Olympic Association appointed Verjee to its advisory board ahead of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.[6]
In 2015, it was announced that Verjee had become an adviser toMassChallenge, the world's biggest startup accelerator programme.[20]
In 2017, it was estimated that Verjee had given away a total of £33.9 million, which equated to 20.54% of his wealth.[21]
An active Liberal Democrat for several years, Verjee was appointed to the House of Lords in August 2013. His political activity includes support for the party's Leadership programme to improve representation from under-represented groups.[22][23]
On 17 September 2013 he was created alife peer taking the titleBaron Verjee, ofPortobello in theRoyal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.[24][25]
| Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Gentlemen Baron Verjee | Followed by |
