Remembering one of the biggest personalities in UK ELT - Peter Brown

No matter what, business as usual 

'Peter was a vibrant person, full of life and energy. He was always involved, he wanted to be, every single day, we thought he will always be around, he made an impression on all whom he met and always had a story to tell, he had time for everyone and was always interested in people, he loved our clients, hosts and students! He had long-lasting and strong, friendly, personal relationships with so many of you, our school partners, agents and the wider ELT and study travel industry. I know the industry and sector will be diminished by this news. 

'He will be remembered for his friendly, funny northern character and always said it as it was, maybe often with colourful language but he was true to himself, his charisma as well as his amazing leadership, forward thinking ideas along with his relentless positive attitude to growth and enhancements, that has made Hosts International what it is today. 

'He firmly believed in host family accommodation (he disliked it called 'homestays') as a vital part of any student's experience. He made such a difference to the industry through his commitment to providing hassle-free accommodation options to schools allowing them to focus on the school and not the challenges of host families or accommodation. We have grown, through good, friendly, personal service and a can do yes attitude with fast responses, that Peter cemented in us all daily.'

Supportive business partner and friend

UIC London was the first English language school to outsource its entire host family provision to Hosts International. A year later Hosts International and UIC would be sharing a building in Mortimer Street W1 appropriately named Language House. Then-owner Neil Upton, now Senior International Business Development Manager at London South Bank University, recalls: 'We shared a common lineage; he was from Morecambe, and I am from Blackpool, and we also shared a similar sense of humour in which we rejoiced in being slightly irreverent. He helped UIC London more than I think he realised in the early days… I will always remember Peter as a supportive business partner but most of all I remember him as a friend.'

Tim Shoben, founder and director of Islington Centre for English remembers him as: 'Swashbuckling, entrepreneurial, charming, sweary. There was nothing vanilla about Peter. As a young school-owner keen to learn the ways of the industry, his avuncular tones made a powerful impression on me during our first phone conversation in 2007. He kindly advised me, due to the administrative burden therein, not to %^&* about recruiting our own families, besides, we are the best value and we always say yes! I liked the cut of his jib. We all did. So can-do was he that I had the impression that, had I told him of a 100-strong, last-minute student group arriving tomorrow he would have said yes (possibly to the consternation of Harsha and his operations team?!). 

'Peter was hardworking, competitive and shrewd - he was 100% business and unapologetic. It said it on the tin and his plain-speaking was uncommon and refreshing. He clearly thrived in the cut-and-thrust of company life, loved people and brimmed with energy. He continued to make an imprint on me during every interaction we had. I was fortunate to know and learn from him.' 

Michele da Silva, owner of Britannia Student Services, met Peter in the early days and recalls frequent phone calls to compare notes and discuss British Council regulations, as the first two accommodation providers to get Accreditation UK registration. Though competitors, they became great friends.  

'Peter's wicked sense of humour was contagious, and I could always be sure of a good laugh whenever we spoke or met at events like StudyWorld. It is hard to imagine an industry without Peter, and I know he will be sadly missed by so many clients, friends, colleagues, and most of all his lovely family. 

'I feel privileged to have known Peter and will never forget what an iconic figure in student accommodation he was and what fun it was to be his friend.'

Steve Phillips, English UK honorary member and former chair who is now chair of the board at Regent College London and strategic director of international at Twin Group, added: 'You will be missed by everyone who met you. Never met anyone who could make people smile and laugh the way you did. But not only the humour, your sincerity and genuine soul was something quite special. You really were one of a kind. I will miss you my friend.'

Annie Wright, marketing communications director at English UK, recalled meeting Peter in the days of two separate ELT trade associations. 'I always looked forward to our encounters and he never failed to demonstrate his love of life and his admiration and appreciation for his wonderful wife, Harsha, and their daughter Georgie.  

'If we can all love life as much as Peter did, we will be doing OK.'