Tony Matharu, the visionary behind Integrity International Group and Blue Orchid Hospitality, has established numerous successful start-ups and earned widespread acclaim for his contributions.
Recognized with a Special Recognition Award for his significant role in London's success a former Hotelier of the Year, recipient of a Technology & Innovation Award, and an Honorary Doctorate of Letters, Matharu is a prominent adviser and commentator on entrepreneurship and hospitality. Beyond his business acumen, he intertwines his hospitality ventures with philanthropy and community engagement, particularly in London, where he has established the Central London Alliance CIC, embodying a holistic approach to success and service.
In an interview with Asian Voice, he discusses his businesses, lessons learned and South Asian Heritage.
Could you provide some background on what led to the founding of your businesses? How has your South Asian heritage influenced your life?
Initially, my drive was born out of my necessity rather than a clear, long-term ambition. Empire building was not, is not and has never been my plan. My mother, whose values remain as significant today as they were when I started, greatly influenced me.
A generalised view is that Asians, particularly immigrants into the UK, are encouraged to enter professions; doctors, lawyers, accountants for example, or they are encouraged to join a family business if one exists. In my case, having completed a Law and Economics degree, it was a case of starting rather than joining a business – something my mother encouraged and has supported in many ways.
Her Asian cultural attributes: placing a high value on hard work, dedication, collaboration and self-sacrifice are values that she personally demonstrated and which I witnessed. Her, some might call, Asian values have been a continuous feature of my life and my business.
As a first generation immigrant it is unsurprising that she and others Asian immigrants demonstrate these positive attributes, having made the significant sacrifice of moving country away from their friends and families in order to progress and succeed. They often work hard and are prepared to commit their time, energy and resources to achieve positive outcomes.
In your philanthropic work, what are some causes you are passionate about and actively support?
Passion is an interesting concept and my passions are not necessarily reflected in the philanthropic and community activities I support. If I was to connect my values to my support for certain causes in a single word it would probably be integrity, rather than passion Integrity implies being whole and without compromise – so doing the right thing is always the best thing to do. Contributing in whichever way you can without seeking or obtaining any direct personal benefit. Some might call is Sewa. As Edmond Burke said “Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little.” Assisting others always has positive impact.
Its not about personal reward or even feeling good or satisfying a personal passion. As I have progressed I am now better placed to do more for more people than I was able to in earlier times.
When you reflect on your journey, what are some of the most significant lessons you’ve learned?
Of the many lessons, one is that despite the challenges and difficulties I may face, it's crucial not to lose sight of one’s values. If you remain determined and committed, and if integrity is an integral part of your value system, you should not compromise or lose those values. They cannot be bought and often are hard-earned. Like respect. People might give you a degree of respect based on your title, business card, or perceived success, but lasting respect comes from your behaviour and your conduct in different environments. So retaining one’s values, irrespective of the challenges and obstacles is significant and fulfilling. If you can retain your values despite challenges and you can make a positive differences in others' lives then this is important. Finding, surrounding yourself with and supporting good people is crucial. Warren Buffett once said he looks for integrity, intelligence, and energy in the people he hires, stating that without integrity, the other two qualities can be detrimental. Integrity matters above everything else, and that is a significant lesson learnt through my experience.
