Thursday 1st August 2024 marks the 25th anniversary of our parent company Regent Global (previously known as Regent Group). We are incredibly proud and grateful to celebrate this milestone with every member of Regent College London’s vibrant community – past, present and future.
The Regent Global story is an inspiring one, underpinned by the unwavering commitment of RCL’s joint CEOs, Selva (Principal) and Tharshiny Pankaj (Academic Registrar). In honour of this anniversary, we want to reflect on our remarkable journey.
Journey towards educational excellence
While Regent Global’s story officially begins in 1999, the seeds were sown in 1996 when Dr Selva Pankaj first met his partner in life and business, Tharshiny. Both arrived in the UK during the 1980s as refugees from the civil war in Sri Lanka, sharing values of determination, consistency and hard work. They married two years later.
At the time, Selva had a burgeoning career in the City, working with world-renowned financial and investment institutions including Fortress Investment Group and Prudential Financial Inc. Despite working long hours, he and Tharshiny struggled to make ends meet.
In 1999, Selva and Tharshiny began offering at-home A-Level Accountancy tuition to local students from just £20. These initial sessions, conducted around the Pankaj dining table, were the spark that ignited 25 years of educational excellence.
In 2000, Regent Global was officially established. This modest tutoring initiative expanded from the Pankaj household to a dedicated facility in Rayners Lane, northwest London.
Selva continued his job in the City while Tharshiny managed Regent Independent College (RIC), ran the household, and looked after their eldest daughter, who they welcomed in 2002.
The arrival of RCL
Although RIC flourished as a business, the arrangement was highly demanding for Tharshiny, especially with the arrival of their second daughter in 2007. In 2009, they mutually decided that Selva would leave his City career behind and take on the role of CEO of Regent Group (as Regent Global was known at the time) with the goal of building up the business.
Over the following ten years, Selva and Tharshiny transformed Regent Global into a dynamic, multi-divisional operation.
In 2010, the first RCL campus was established in Wembley, offering BTEC Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and providing students with alternative progression routes into higher education. RCL opened admissions to the public in 2013, reflecting our commitment to widening access and participation.
The present day
This year, Regent Group was renamed Regent Global to reflect that it is now a global organisation working in education, impactful investment and economy building.
RCL now delivers a range of HND programmes validated by Pearson and is enjoying rapid growth. We have partnered with the University of Bolton, Buckinghamshire New University, St Mary’s University and Pearson to deliver foundation year routes, foundation degrees, bachelor’s degrees, top-up degrees, and master’s degrees in a wide array of subjects.
While Selva and Tharshiny’s achievements are a testament to their remarkable skill and persistence, they also recognise the fortunate opportunities that expanded their horizons. This is why they are committed to providing resources and initiatives that promote continual learning and evolution.
All RCL students receive free access to our exclusive Thinking into Character™ programme. This series of 12 online lessons is specially developed to accelerate personal growth and professional success. The programme, designed and led by Dr Selva Pankaj, is based on pioneering research into the science and methodology of personal achievement.
Ultimately, RCL is a family business. 25 years on, it stands as a testament to what can be achieved through hard work, resilience and a growth mindset. We understand the delicate balance between personal and educational commitments that students often navigate. This unique aspect of the College empowers individuals from all walks of life to pursue flexible learning routes, achieve their goals and advance their careers with confidence.
Looking to the future
By 2030, Selva and Tharshiny Pankaj aim to be joint CEOs of a British unicorn (a private company valued at one billion dollars). They also hope to open Regent Hill University, a new British learning institution with a focus on unleashing human potential through mindset shifts. Additionally, RCL aims to partner with more British universities to diversify its course offerings and build on existing partnerships.
Awards and accolades
Selva has received several awards, including Entrepreneur of the Year at the British Sri Lankan Awards 2023, Businessman of the Year at the London Asian Business Awards 2019, and Entrepreneur of the Year at the Asian Achievers Awards 2016. In 2019, Selva received two honorary doctorates for his contributions to education.
In 2022, Regent Group was recognised in the Times Top 100 list as one of the fastest-growing education companies in the UK. Selva and Tharshiny, along with the Pankaj family, also appeared in the 2024 edition of the Asian Rich List 101, Wealthiest Asians.
Tharshiny’s leadership has garnered significant recognition, including appearances on the Asian Power Couple Hot 100 list in 2019, a runner-up spot at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards in 2020, the GG2 ED&I Award for Excellence in Education in 2023, and the GG2 CEO of the Year Award in 2024.
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