Meet our Executive Leaders
Group CEO
Dr Vishwajeet Rana
Dr Rana completed his MBA at Ohio University, before receiving his MS and PhD from Stevens Institute of Technology. Dr Rana has executed several complex cross-border equity/debt structured investments and financing transactions in the UK, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Hong Kong jurisdictions while working at the HSBC New York office. He enjoys assessing different global education models and exploring the best ways to apply them in unlocking the potential of students in Higher Education.
GBS CEO and Group Chief Academic Officer
Professor Ray Lloyd
Professor Ray Lloyd joined GBS as CEO in September 2020, having previously served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Leeds Trinity University, followed by being Head of Department and then a Dean at Abertay University. Professor Lloyd studied mathematics in his first degree and would go on to teach the subject for several years in London and then Botswana, where he held several positions with Botswana Athletics, including Director of Coaching. He returned to the UK in 1996 to undertake a Master’s degree in Sports Science, later gaining a PhD in the same specialism. His current portfolio spans the academic life of the University including Research, Academic Partnerships, and Student Support.
Chief of Staff to Group CEO
Jonny Bourne
Jonny Bourne is a senior education executive with extensive leadership experience across higher education, K12 and vocational sectors in the UK and the Middle East. Before joining GEDU, he led a government-sponsored start-up in Saudi Arabia focused on skills training and employability. Previously in Dubai, he was the CEO of Cognita Schools Middle East, and before that he served as the Chief Operating Officer and Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, where he led major institutional transformation and commercial initiatives.
Jonny’s career includes executive roles with global education, technology organisations and senior leadership appointments across the Gulf region. A Harvard Business School and University of Cambridge graduate, and a former British Army Brigadier General recognised for leadership and service. He brings deep expertise to GEDU in educational strategy, operational delivery and cross-cultural transformation.
