I came to the United Kingdom in 1981 to study at Loughborough University but could not afford the fees. As I was a qualified mechanical engineer, I applied for lots of jobs. I think I must have made 100 applications but didn’t get any of them.
My first job was picking strawberries at a farm. I continued with farming to grow Asian herbs which enabled me to start the residential and commercial property business.
The commercial property business lead me to acquire and start the Reel Cinema Estate which we continue to passionately grow – and now we have started on Leisure Developments.
1 Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
Loughborough, Leicestershire – I live near Outwoods Forest and my house looks out onto a lovely lake, so when I wake up in the morning it’s nice to go around to reflect and plan my day.
2 What are your proudest achievements?
Funnily enough, although it was the hardest work, it was to earn seventy two pounds in my first pay packet in the United Kingdom in 1981.
3 What inspires you?
Obviously, successful people, but knowing that behind the success there have been many failures, but them never giving up as they have resilience, discipline and persistence.
4 What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
Not able to avail all the opportunities that came my way.
5 Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
My Mother, who was a very positive woman. She would sit outside the front door in the village where I lived. I would be inside studying. If my friends came to get me to play, she would not let them in because she wanted me to study, so I got the best grades to enable me to go to University.
6 What is the best aspect about your current role?
Meeting successful inspiring people from a variety of backgrounds and hearing their very unusual stories of how they have created their businesses.
7 And the worst?
Being stuck in a traffic jam, but nowadays I tend to make my telephone calls (of course handsfree).
8 What are your long term goals?
I get bored easily, so I like to have new challenges. I want to keep working, as I love every moment of it.
9 If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
Home ownership for everyone. More money into early start-up businesses and more support for education and health for everyone. Making sure all children have a good start in life.
If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why.
Former USA President Barack Obama. He’s charismatic, clever and smart. He’s articulate and all round a cool guy and he can dance and I love dancing!
