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My life and legacy
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THE COST OF WRITING A WILL ONLINE USING OUR NEW ALUMNI BENEFIT (SEE BACK PAGE)
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OF ALUMNI SURVEYED WOULD CONSIDER LEAVING A GIFT TO WESTMINSTER
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MY LIFE AND LEGACY Peter Gordon
LESS INHERITANCE TAX WITH A GIFT IN YOUR WILL
TRANSPORT PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT MSC, 1994 BUILT ENVIRONMENT STUDIES MPHIL, 2000
Alumnus Peter Gordon recognises studying at Westminster in the 1990s as a turning point in his life. Working alongside his studies was a welcome challenge which persuaded him to alter his career path. Now retired, he donates regularly to the scholarship programme and has generously pledged to remember the University in his will.
“For someone who is retired, I seem to be rather busy!” he tells us.
Following a successful career in the rail industry, Peter took early retirement and now holds positions in a number of organisations, including chair of the Transport Statistics Users Group and editor of the Transport Economist magazine.
“As an alumnus,” he adds, “I also keep in good contact with the University – attending events, using the libraries and I’m still in touch with some of the staff, including my supervisors.
“Looking back, I really enjoyed studying at Westminster. I was able to meet industry peers and engage them in an exchange of ideas which gave me a chance to stretch myself and broaden my horizons. It’s such a diverse University, really a microcosm of London.”
It is this unique diversity which characterises the University of Westminster, as an institution which is built on a rich history of ‘education for all’. This ethos means that many of our students come from disadvantaged backgrounds, or are the first in their family to attend university and therefore often require financial support through scholarships or bursaries in order to achieve the degree they deserve.
“I was very lucky, as working fulltime during my MA meant I had the advantage of being financially secure, which a lot of students aren’t,” explains Peter. “That’s why I decided to leave a legacy to the University. Westminster was a place that shaped my life; I applied, started my degree and didn’t look back. However, I simply would not have been able to complete my research degree if I hadn’t been working full-time. If I was a 22-year-old Masters student now, I know I would struggle.
“Also, as a trustee of a charity that relies very much on legacy giving, I know what a difference it can make. When you consider, for example, The 125 Fund and all the great projects that the students are working on, I can see how many people will benefit, both directly and indirectly, from my donation.
“I believe,” summarises Peter, “if you’ve got the money, it’s always good to give a little back to places you’ve benefitted from; to remember those which have helped you on your way and think of the future generations which you can support.”
LEAVE A LEGACY TODAY, TRANSFORM LIVES TOMORROW
Leaving a legacy is an ideal way to give a gift that you might not be able to give during your lifetime and which will make a lasting impact on future generations of Westminster students.
Did you know that: • Leaving a legacy is one of the easiest ways you can make a gift to the University. • You can direct your gift to an area of the University’s work that you wish to support in particular. • Making a legacy gift to the University is tax-free and can reduce the tax paid on your entire estate.
If you would like to find out more about remembering the University in your will, then please contact our Development Office at development@westminster.ac.uk
Together with our partners at Beyond, we are delighted to offer our alumni a free will-writing service.
Whether it’s your first will or you wish to amend an existing will, the process is simple and can be completed in just 15 minutes.
