The Indian diaspora contributions to the UK economy were in the spotlight again with the launch of the second edition of the India in the UK: The Diaspora Effect 2.0.
As a collaborative effort to recognise some well-known and not-so-known British Indians across different sectors, Grant Thornton UK along with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) used the latest edition to spotlight some inspiring success stories.
Having identified over 654 Indian diaspora-owned or diaspora-led companies in the first edition, the research this year focussed on celebrating key professionals and entrepreneurs that exemplify diaspora achievements across a wide span of sectors.
Here iGlobal looks at some of those case studies in focus.
Dr Sanjeev Kanoria, well known as a liver transplant specialist and Founder of UK’s leading care home Advinia Healthcare pursued his medical training in India before moving to the UK to complete his surgical training in 1987. His hardship and efforts through to success has only taught him to appreciate his enthusiasm for this profession. He suggests, “besides business, do not ignore your body, soul and mind balance.”
Siblings Akash and Nikita Mehta followed their passion into the beauty industry to co-found Fable & Mane that brings the Indian tradition of champi (hair oiling) to the West. The duo has been pouring their philanthropic ambitions by supporting a local initiative to restore the habitat of wild tigers. Just like their business strategy, Akash says, “take your Indian roots wherever you go.”
Taking her father’s horticulture business to global markets, Leena Malde heads the Wealmoor Group as the Executive Chair and makes sure Indian grown produce like okra, chillies and mangoes are available in the UK market. By acknowledging that the people associated with her business are key to her success, Leena reminds us that “everyone around us is a person”.
Driven by his desire to reduce world hunger, Founder of Wrapchic Mahesh Raikar brings an Indian twist to Mexican food with 17 stores across the UK. His wise words: “For everything, it is about the timing of your decisions.”
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His mother as his inspiration and his fascination for the aviation sector has earned him the fortune to be operating hotels at all of London’s airports under the Arora Group. Founder Surinder Arora believes that “when you find yourself in a valley, the only way is upwards.”
Emigrating to the UK empty handed, Sukhpal Ahluwalia has worked his way upwards to establish UK’s fastest growing real estate businesses named the Dominvs Group. He alludes that budding enthusiast make optimum use of technology.
Ashok Patel’s IPS Pharma is not only at the forefront of sourcing, manufacturing and supplying speciality pharmaceutical to the UK but other countries. Bringing the Indian pharma sector into the mainstream, he says, “as long as the core values, financials and fundamentals of a business are intact, then market dynamics do not matter.”
Taking over countries in the Asia-Pacific, o2h Ventures was co-founded by brothers, Prashant and Sunil Shah to nurture and invest in early-stage life science and technology companies. Prashant goes on to disclose that he still carries his father’s teachings of being the best version of himself and leaving his mark on the world.
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Having leveraged on India’s IT prowess and founded the Genisys Group, Ashok Rabheru has won a number of accolades including being appointed as the Commander of the Victorian Order in 2011 for his work for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. Relentlessly facing racial discrimination during the early stages of his career, Ashok says that hard work will always win through.
Awarded as the Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2019 by Asian Business Awards, Nikhil Shah, the CEO of S-Cube carries his family’s genes of negotiating deals to build on his network.
Starting his journey with a distribution business, Simon Arora decided to upscale by acquiring B&M Retail only to make it into a FTSE-100 company. He says that the success of his stores comes from “delegating the work to those who are better at it.”
Sanjiv Mehta’s ambitions to build an international trading business gained momentum with the acquisition of The East India Company. As a custodian of the Company’s 400-year history, Sanjiv has turned it into a global luxury brand. “Focus on opportunities without losing your heritage and culture”, says Sanjiv.
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Abiding by his success mantra of never having a plan B, co-founder of OakNorth Bank Rishi Khosla describes his journey from a mediocre student to a flourishing entrepreneur. “When you are all in, you increase the probability of achieving what you want.”
Amit Kotha’s venture Beryllus Capital is working fiercely to bring a paradigm shift in private client financing advisory. He has emerged as one of the most trusted wealth management advisors for South Asian Ultra High Net Worth. Apart from the general business, his purpose lies in attending to the social cause of improving girl’s education and supporting the underprivileged.
*More here: Indian in the UK: The Diaspora Effect 2.0