The UK’s leading asian business and lifestyle magazine
issue 2
ÂŁ3.95
James Caan
A passion to perform
By Shazana Raja
also in this issue...
Music
A Khan & Cars
www.asiansuk.com
1 | www.asiansuk.com
Twitter @asiansUK
Fashion
Print & Mail
We print, we stuff and we post all for less than a stamp! Send your mail through AsiansUK Print &Mail for as low as 34p we print and mail your items within 48 hours - includes, letters, statements, invoices, documents, mail shot cards and postcards.
For all your mailing needs AsiansUK has teamed up with industry leaders UKMail, giving you the best rates! You no longer have to worry about printing, stuffing envelopes or rushing to the post office, it can all be taken care of from the comfort of your desktop!
You create
Just-in-time
AsiansUK Print&Mail in partnership with imail is a unique hybrid mail service that allows you to create, proof and send business and personal communications directly from your computer (PC, laptop or Apple device). No printing, stuffing envelopes or rushing to the post office. Simply create your letter or card and we will print it the same day for delivery the next day or two days later.
AsiansUKPrint&Mail speeds up marketing campaigns by enabling you to skip the physical process of printing and mailing. By letting us take care of that, your campaign can leverage the very latest data for up-to-the-minute communications. It’s flexible, too: mailshots can be tailored to target individual customers or groups.
we print – we post
Not only can you process letters and cards, you can also send direct mail campaigns, payslips, reminders and other mass mailings.
With an intuitive interface and design templates if you need them, you remain in complete control at all times.
2 | www.asiansuk.com
marketing
Publishers: Ehan Rajah & Shazana Raja
Twitter: @EhanRajah & @ShazanaRaja
Chief-in-Editor: Shazana Raja
@ShazanaRaja
Editor:
Alia Raffia
@AliaRaffia
Contributors A.R Quar
Arfan Razaq
Azhar Siddique Carl Pickles
Davina Pancholi Dharmesh Patel
Dr K.Z Aabideen Hetvi Parekh
Mandy Sanghera Razwan Nazir Riwayat LTD
Shahid Malik
Sudakshina Bhattacharjee Yasmin Jaunbocus
AsiansUK proud Media Partners of: English Asian Business Awards
Scottish Asian Business Awards British Indian Awards
British Muslim Awards
Black Country Asian Business Awards Weddings of Asia
Special Thanks: Adnan Ansari Avina Shah
Faraz Khan James Caan Jas Jassal
Nazma Noor Nina Patel
Pardeep Singh Pav Shergill
Rami Ranger Ravi Soni
Shahid Sheikh
Zeeshaan Shah
Institute of Asian Businesses
Black Country Asian Business Association Oceanic Consulting
Distributed by Marketforce (UK) Ltd. Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU Circulation Marketing by Intermedia Brand Marketing Ltd. Reg. Office North Quay House, Sutton Harbour, Plymouth, PL4 0RA
We are already working on our next issue. If you have a project, product or business achievement to tell us about – please email us: admin@asiansuk.com Email your news and print quality images to: shazana@asiansuk.com www.asiansuk.com AsiansUK has over 4,000 followers on twitter -join us @AsiansUK
AsiansUK holds the copyright to all text & layout. AsiansUK cannot accept responsibility for any materials received and view expressed by advertisers. All materials sent to AsiansUK are assumed to be copyright free unless otherwise advised.
AsiansUK is published by Asians (UK) Ltd. Registered England & Wales: 8239414
1 | www.asiansuk.com
Welcome Trawling through newsagents I find many an Asian magazine displaying the vibrancy of our rich heritage. Each valued and a delight to see, none the less a voice within cries there’s far more to us British Asians; many a genius, leading entrepreneur, social and political reformer. Our contribution to the British economy is worthy of admiration. At the British Curry Awards 2013, David Cameron stated curry restaurants alone contribute a remarkable £3.6 billion to the economy annually and employ more than 80,000 people. Clearly signifying Asian prosperity in the UK plays a prominent role within the economy in terms of job creation, innovation and contribution.
We have restlessly pursued the ‘Asian Dream’ instilled by our dynasties, ensuring our entrepreneurial gene is stronger than ever. This coupled with the values of hard-work, perseverance and determination puts us right where we need to be.
Slowly, but surely the marketing industry has recognised the power of our ‘brown pound’ and are actively trying to reach out. The number of advertising campaigns using Asian faces is on a steep upward increase and becoming common practice for leading brands. Rightly so as the British Ethnic minority buying power is estimated at £300 billion and rising. We applaud TV programmes such as Dragon’s Den and The Apprentice as they popularise Asian entrepreneurs and their dedication, as well as providing inspirational role models for future generations. AsiansUK endeavour to continue this work by celebrating the perseverance that has seen British Asians flourish. AsiansUK magazine is packed with inspirational business content alongside features to better equip the aspiring. True to our effervescent culture we also include a healthy mix of fashion, motoring and entertainment; last but by no means least Asians UK is here for you and your stories, so do get in touch and share your reality, hurdles and lifestyle.
We’d love to hear from you: Email: admin@asiansuk.com or Tweet us @AsiansUK
Let us work with you to promote your products and services to this vibrant sector - email: rajah@asiansuk.com today.
Wishing you all the very best Shazana Raja Chief-In-Editor
CONTENTS 4
Inspiration Rami Ranger - Rami is a man of vision who works tirelessly to raise the profile of Asians in Britain
6
James Caan gives an exclusive insight into the future of real estate The city of London should rival Dubai as a centre for sharia compliant finance
9
From LORD SUGAR’S BOARD ROOM TO THE PROPERTY MARKET Always able to take the lead in any given situation
SEARCH OF EXCELLENCE 11 In The Asian community continues to thrive despite the challenging times
WOMAN OF THE RISE 12 BUSINESS Award Winning Pav Shergill is a young, savvy and astute business woman on the rise.
MOST FAMOUS TEENAGERS IN THE WORLD 14 THE RECEIVES THE IAB PRESIDENT’S AWARD Malala Yousafzai
HAND IN HAND WITH ASIAN 15 WORKING ENTERPRENEURS
Burton Chambers has teamed up with AsiansUK – connecting Asian entrepreneurs
SHARKS AND EVOLUTION 16 ENTERPRENEURS Start-ups are critical to building the entrepreneurial ecosystem
5 TIPS ON HOW SOCIAL MEDIA BRINGS OUT 18 TOP ‘BRAND YOU’
You can use social media to boost your own image and make yourself have a celeb-like status
ENGLISH ASIAN BUSINESS AWARDS 19 THE Honouring the determination, hard-work and personal achievements of British Asians
OF ASIAN AWARDS 20 VALUE Awards schemes are invaluable in providing young British Asians with positive role models
ASIAN DREAM 24 THE Over £60 billion of wealth is created by Asians in London alone
2 | www.asiansuk.com
ABOUT APPS PRODUCTIVITY 26 ALL Favourite Apps that increase productivity get cooking with Irfan Razzaq 28 Let’s Asian food – meeting mum’s standards Conversation with Adnan Ansari, the 30 In Founder of Pakistan Fashion Week
Paksitan Fashion Week highlights pakistani culture and what it has to offer to the western market
rise of the BRitish Asian Fashion Blogger 32 The A new generation of British Asian Fashion Bloggers have paved the way for trend reporting and style watching
Pertinent Issue - Bone Marrow 34 ATransplantation
It is a potential cure for some of the blood cancers and diseases related to blood
Review: And Then She Opened A Can of 35 Book Worms... The new Asians Chic-lit on the block
Journey of Finding a Life PArtner 36 THe Marriages are about 80% LOVE and 20% Compromise AND BRITAN’S BACKSTREET EXCORSITS 37 JINN A method of treatment for mental illness BOLYWOOD TO THE UK FARAZ KHAN 38 Bringing I grew up watching Shah Rukh Khan on screen and then performing with him was a dream come true
COnversation with Entrepreneur and 4 0 In Entertainer Avina Shah
Music can help spread messages and has the power to make a difference
Registration Plates - A Waste of 42 Personalised Cash or Are THey An Investment Its not just the rich and famous who buy personalised number plates
The Right Car For tHe Asian Professional 4 4 British Asians love their cars Change In County Cricket Mr Shahid 45 Inspiring Sheikh OBE The need for more British Asians to represent England
In Sport with Jas Jassal 4 8 Asian Asians in cricket is a major success story
3 | www.asiansuk.com
Inspiration Rami Ranger MBE, FRSA
a refugee camp In India. He was bought
up by his mother who was a teacher along with seven siblings. She could not give
him much financial support, but instilled
the right values in him which became the bedrock of his success. As they say, the rest is history.
Today Rami is the Chairman of Sun Mark Ltd and Sea, Air & Land Forwarding
Ltd, two of Britain’s fastest growing
companies which sustain thousands of
British jobs with their export activities. Both of his companies have received
prestigious awards from Her Majesty
the Queen, the Queen’s Award for Export
Achievement 1999 and the Queens Award for Enterprise in International Trade
for an unprecedented 5th consecutive
year, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013. No other company in Britain has received
this accolade to date and in the process has set a new British business record. In all, six times for business and once personally for community service.
Rami is a man of vision who works
tirelessly to raise the profile of Asians in Britain. In 2005 he was made a
Member of the British Empire for his
services to British Business and the Asian Community and has launched many
ground breaking initiatives to strengthen democracy and social cohesion in
Britain. Rami co-founded the British
Asian Conservative Link to make Asians
Rami is a man of vision who works tirelessly to raise the profile of Asians in Britain Raminder Singh Ranger MBE is a
came from very humble beginnings.
story of how he achieved success is both
Nanak Singh who was against the
successful entrepreneur and social and political reformer. His background
fascinating and inspirational. Although Rami has accomplished a great deal he
4 | www.asiansuk.com
Rami was born two months after the assassination of his father, Shaheed
breakup of India on the basis of religion.
As a result of this loss Rami started life in
more publicly and politically spirited and to encourage them to take part in the
decision making process in Britain. He is also a founder member of the Hindu
Forum Britain which was set up to unite all the different Hindu Organizations in
Britain under one umbrella so that they
could project a cohesive voice to British government departments. Rami set
up the Pakistan, India & UK Friendship
Rami has been recognised by Her Majesty the Queen seven times
Forum soon after the 7/7 and 21/7
bombings of the London Underground. The Forum proved to be an instant
success and thousands of Pakistanis
and Indians are now celebrating what
unites them in Britain. Rami is also the
supports many worthy causes and is involved in charitable pursuits Chairman of the British Sikh Association which promotes interfaith dialogue for a peaceful coexistence.
As well as promoting and enabling
community cohesion Rami supports
many worthy causes and is involved in charitable pursuits. As a patron of the
‘Great Walk’ undertaken by the Chairman of the India Association UK he helped
raise £100,000 for research into the cure for AIDS and cancer for the Northwick
5 | www.asiansuk.com
Park and St. Marks Hospitals in Harrow.
Asian Voice newspaper and Business &
Heroes, the Indian Gymkhanam and
a Doctorate by Preston University in
He has also helped to fundraise for a
number of charities including Help the Northwick Park
Hospital, Harrow. As a Fellow of
the Princes Trust
Commerce Award from Lloyds TSB in
2009 to name a few. He was also awarded
Rami has been a catalyst for change
Rami spends his time mentoring
underprivileged youth so that they too
can realise their ambitions and become
upstanding citizens who are in a position to contribute positively to their families and country.
Rami has been recognised for his
achievements throughout his career
through receiving many awards and honours including IOD Director of
the Year for London and South East
Region from the Institute of Directors
in 2012, International Businessman of the Decade by India Link magazine in
November 2013, Business Person of the Year 2011 at the 11th Asian Achievers Awards in London, Asian Business of
the Year Award 2011 from Eastern Eye, Entrepreneur of the year Award by the
Wyoming USA which has a branch office
in the UK for his contribution to Business. Dr Rami Ranger is a source of inspiration as from very humble beginnings he has
achieved so much and contributed back to society. Rami has been a catalyst for
change and paved the way for Asians to make their mark in Britain.
islamic finance rival Dubai as a centre for Sharia-compliant finance.
the City of London should rival Dubai as a centre for Shariacompliant finance
This year, the Treasury hopes to launch an Islamic bond - called a sukuk which will be structured to bring in a fixed return from a tangible asset or service without charging interest all in accordance with Islamic financial principles. The new Sharia-compliant gilt will enable Britain to become the first non-Muslim country to tap into the growing pool of Islamic investments that is forecast to top £1.3 trillion in 2014. Sharia-compliant funds have already been used to fund some of the capital’s largest developments, including the Shard and the Olympic Village. Currently more than 20 banks offer Islamic financial products and services in the UK, more than any other Western country, with the number expected to grow further.
Currently more than 20 banks offer Islamic financial products and services in the UK, more than any other Western country
October 2013 marked a historical moment when Prime Minister David Cameron announced at the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) in London that the UK will become the first non-Muslim country to issue an Islamic bond. As the WIEF had never been held before in a non-Muslim country, this highlighted the growing role London is playing in the Islamic finance industry. At the WIEF David Cameron emphasised that Islamic finance is a good opportunity for the UK’s financial services industry as Islamic investments have soared by 150% in the past seven years and are expected to be worth £1.3 trillion in 2014. “I don’t just want London to be a great capital of Islamic finance in the Western world, I want London to stand alongside Dubai as one of the great capitals of Islamic finance anywhere in the world,” he told delegates of the WIEF. David Cameron pointed out the “mistake” in the missed opportunity to encourage more Islamic investment in the UK and that the City of London should
6 | www.asiansuk.com
The opportunities Sharia compliant investments bring in a global financial market were already recognised in 2011 by 90 North Real Estate Partners - an independent investment advisory firm, specialising in Sharia compliant real estate investments. From its headquarters in London’s Mayfair, 90 North identifies and executes real estate investment and development transactions. Overall the company seeks to build long term partnerships with investors and institutional intermediaries, based on alignment of interests, complete discretion, the establishment of trust, exemplary client service and delivering results.
90 North identifies and executes real estate investment and development transactions
90 North was founded by James Caan alongside Philip Churchill and Nicholas Judd who both have more than 40 years combined real estate and finance experience, with £1.35 billion of Sharia compliant real estate transactions conducted with Gulf investors over the last ten years. Chairman of 90 North James Caan pointed out one of the factors that attracted him to develop this new venture was his cofounders; ‘in my co-founders I have partners with real passion and
drive who understand their market really well and have expertise in Sharia structuring – but most importantly an understanding of the real estate market with particular interest in dealing with investors specifically from the gulf.’ As well as the co-founders, 90 North also comprises the Partners Faisal Butt and Matthew Hills who work directly with investors, providing insight, experience and expertise to managing assets.
Caan identified a gap in the market and responded accordingly
James Caan is most notably known for his involvement in the hit BBC television show Dragons’ Den, and most recently running the Start Up Loans Company, a Government funded scheme which is a third of the way in meeting the target of supporting 30,000 new businesses with £151 million by 2015. As well as regularly being a keynote speaker and panellist at business and real estate conferences globally, Caan supports a variety of UK Government initiatives including The Entrepreneur’s Forum and was selected by the Government to join a panel of entrepreneurs meeting regularly to debate their views on enterprise policy. He spoke about his reasons for investing in 90 North explaining ‘recently I have been struck by the increasing demand from my fellow Muslims who are particularly interested in real estate investment with a real specific passion and interest of that investment to be Sharia compliant.’ Caan identified a gap in the market and responded accordingly, he said ‘it’s incredible to think that today the Muslim population is approximately 1.6 billion. That is almost 25% of the world’s entire population, yet the growing
Caan identified a gap in the market and responded accordingly
7 | www.asiansuk.com
wealth only represents a fraction of the international funds under professional management. 90 North will play an active role in providing tailor made solutions for this ever growing population particularly those who want to invest Islamically whilst preserving and protecting their core wealth.’
Although the services of 90 North are also very much for domestic and non-Islamic investors too, the company was clearly set up with the aim of catering to the profile of the Middle Eastern investor. Caan has recognised that although flows of capital are constrained in Europe, the story in the Middle East is different. “The western market financing is incredibly challenging right now, and the banks are not very liquid, which means a lot less activity in the real estate market,” he says. “But if you look at the Middle East there is capital. So you’ve
There are no easy deals and so everyone needs to be
got a region that’s liquid, and you’ve got capital that recognises the UK as a desirable destination.” One of the defining characteristics of the Middle Eastern investors that 90 North is working with is their deep knowledge of the UK and its property market and their ability to dig out value in off-beat locations and alternative asset classes. Student accommodation and care homes have been some of the major target areas for investors not as concerned with the ‘trophy’ element, as interest is also growing in the infrastructure areas of healthcare and education.
James Caan gives AsiansUK readers an exclusive insight into 90 North and the future of real estate…
With rental growth returning to many commercial real
estate markets, the future of UK real estate looks bright, but
it remains essential to select the right opportunities and not follow the crowd into some markets.
Can you tell us a bit about any project you are currently working on through 90 North? We are currently working on our first limited service hotel
investment. It has been fascinating to learn the fundamentals of this sector which is very attractively priced at the moment
What has been the formula of success for 90 North in this short space of time? The formula for 90 North’s success has been identifying and
recruiting team members with the same passion to perform as Founder Partners Philip and Nick. There are no easy
deals and so everyone needs to be resilient and focused on
solving problems to reach a successful close on each and every transaction.
What is the appeal in investing in UK real estate for the Middle East market?
and which we hope will be the start of a significant investment in this sector for 90 North.
What do you hope to achieve through 90 North in the foreseeable future? With our United Kingdom product and operations firmly
established, the next steps for 90 North are international expansion. We have our first USA transaction under
exclusivity, have recruited a Head of Continental Europe and
are considering opening an office in Kuala Lumpur to reach the Sharia compliant investors of Malaysia and the wider SouthEast Asian market.
The UK is very familiar to Middle East investors, with many having studied, holidayed and done business here before.
There is also a strong legal structure and a Land Registry that guarantees title, all important factors from an international perspective.
How and why is this type of investment sustainable? 90 North is identifying and closing on real estate with strong fundamentals and long term sustainability. For example, a
recent care home transaction had 35 year leases with annual inflation linked increases in the rent. Meanwhile, the wealth
from oil and gas continues to be generated in the Middle East and is looking for international investment opportunities. Is Sharia compliant investment something that non-
Islamic investors should consider getting involved in? The route of Sharia compliant investment is openness,
transparency and good business ethics. I would therefore encourage any investor to look at it more closely.
What were the challenges you faced during the development phase of 90 North? Our biggest challenge was recruiting the right people, as we
wanted people who had our same passion to perform. Whilst this frequently led to long hours for us in the meantime, that investment is now being repaid.
What does the future of real estate in the UK look like?
8 | www.asiansuk.com
Faisal Butt adds: “When I first met Philip Churchill and listened to his business plan, I knew that together with Nick Judd, James Caan, and myself, we could create ripples in the Shariah compliant real estate space. 90 North is yet again a shining example of my investment motto that outstanding teams create successful businesses.”
From Lord Sugar’s Board Room to the Property Market Zeeshaan Shah AsiansUK mention in Issue 1
as you can imagine it was a gruelling
etiquette puts us two steps ahead
most rigorous tests of my professional life.
“understanding the South Asian consumer and the UK business of the game”.
When did you realise you had an entrepreneurial streak? In hindsight I intrinsically
possessed the traits that are typical of an entrepreneur. Former star of series nine of the Apprentice and CEO of One Investment, Zeeshaan Shah
is a force to be reckoned with. Dynamic and ambitious he has already achieved great
success at a young age. Let’s meet the real Zeeshaan!
always able to take the lead in any given situation. Can you tell us a bit about your
Characteristics such as; being audacious, independent, an
appetite for risk taking, wanting to explore new avenues and fundamentally always
able to take the lead in any given situation. It is said a good business is fuelled by passion and desire. My first tangible
experience of entrepreneurship took place when I was 11 years old. I had developed a love for dogs and hence was fortunate
enough to have a number of them as pets; however I longed for a particular puppy
which cost around £750 at that time. My parents told me ‘if I wanted it
I had to find a way to fund it’, I
did the calculations and it would
up? I was born in the UK but at 7 years old as
breeder this would mean I could
a family we moved back to my parents’
homeland Karachi in Pakistan, here I went
to school and completed my A-levels. I then returned to the UK and began to pursue a degree in Economics and Finance at
Nottingham Business School. It was a great experience however, as I had a number of close friends thriving within the Dubai
property market I made the challenging decision to halt my studies and take the
plunge into this arena; it was the best route for me and I’ve never looked back.
I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to live within both England and Pakistan
and hence can access the best of both. As
9 | www.asiansuk.com
over a month and a half; I underwent the
I had an inclination I’d made it, but you can never be sure. Then one ordinary day as
I returned back from work, I received the
phone call to say I was selected - I’ll never forget that moment.
“understanding the South Asian consumer and the UK business etiquette puts us two steps ahead of the game”.
have taken me 2 years to save
up – now that was far too long
background, what was it like growing
process. The selection process was spread
for me. As I had a female dog I decided to become a purebred sell the puppies to raise the
necessary finance within a few months.
Unintentionally through this
experience I faced the difficulties
that entrepreneurs must undergo; including minimising risk and maximising profit,
resulting from claims made to the profits by my siblings’ as it was a family dog.
This experience gave me the appetite to go into business!
Talk us through the ‘Apprentice Experience’? There were over 100,000 applicants hence
Share your best and your worst Apprentice experiences? The best, well what can I say, I enjoyed
every minute of it. I had some interesting banter with Lord Alan Sugar which was entertaining.
The least favourite part was getting fired. Have you kept in touch with any of the contestants from the show?
A few of us have kept in touch,
One Investments is launching its first
It varies, really most of the time I like to
apprentices shall always remain very
What motivates you to succeed?
work I like to research and see what is going
There are two key factors. Firstly providing
in the market. I like to meet likeminded
discussions. I also like to have my younger
predominately via social media – but you know how life is. Nonetheless, my fellow
much a type of family – we shared a unique experience.
He is shrewd and a great businessman. I don’t like the fact he fired me.
What is Lord Alan Sugar really like? Is he
development. A budget hotel in London in walking distance to the O2 arena.
a good life for my family, the second is making the most of the blessings and
talents God has given me. There is nothing
more rewarding than thinking and planning something and seeing in reality that you
actually achieved your goals and made it happen. That is what life is about. Who inspires you and why?
really full of one-liners? I liked him; he has a good sense of humour. He is shrewd and a great businessman. I don’t like the fact he fired me.
What went wrong in week 5, how well do you actually know Dubai? A successful entrepreneur will always
recognise mistakes and assess what could have been tackled differently.
In hindsight I should have visited the souks myself, as I had the advantage of language skills - being fluent in Urdu and Hindi -
You’ve got to embrace failure as failure is part of the root to success.
kick back in the office. After I have finished people as it is good to have likeminded
cousins around me so they become inspired and are on the same page. I let of steam and maintain my health by going to the gym. Must add I love to travel. Women or Cars?
Women – without a doubt!
I refer to the super women in my life that
have played a fundamental part in shaping the course of my life and my persona - my grandmother and mother.
You have achieved great success at such an early age, what do you hope to achieve in business in the next 10 years? I’d like to take my company One
Investments to its paramount as there is a
great deal of potential in the global market through growth investments.
I also want to start a business in Pakistan as I believe there
is potential there with it being
allowing me to communicate our needs
a developing country. I would
effectively, but I was weary in case we had
like to have a publically listed
to source bespoke items.
company whether that is in
Pakistan or the UK. Aside from
Furthermore, from a strategic point of view,
business politics interests
if I had been more relaxed and not asserted
me hence I want to capitalise
so much direction to the group; letting them
on business and then pursue
take more accountability, I would not have
politics.
set myself for the firing line.
Lord Alan Sugar stated on ‘Why I Fired Them’
‘in hindsight Zee’s strategy in Dubai was right, but I think maybe his team members were arrogant and were happy to see him fall on his own sword.’ What projects are you currently working on? I am growing my property investment
company One Investments where we assist international investors looking to invest
in the UK property market. We currently focus on prime regional markets. In
December we hosted a launch event in
Hong Kong selling all apartments for a
development in Manchester. This month I have a show in Singapore for another
development in Manchester. We also have in the pipeline residential projects in Liverpool and Birmingham.
10 | www.asiansuk.com
What’s your advice to anyone who aspires to succeed in the My grandmother, as from a young age she
instilled the values of hard work and being
the best you can be in me. She taught me to understand the value of concentrating on achieving and being a man of value.
In business, do you always play by the rules or are you a risk taker? I am a calculated risk taker – which is
somewhere in the middle of being a risk
taker and playing by the rules. In business you have to take risks and you have to fail. You’ve got to embrace failure as failure is part of the root to success. Thomas
Eddison wisely said ‘I have not failed I have just found 10,000 ways that don’t work.’
When it comes to success the key word is perseverance!
How do you like to kick back and relax after a hard day’s work?
business world and those struggling in current climate? Right down the word perseverance and
put it on your wall and think of it as your mantra. Follow your dreams, when you
want something don’t be afraid to go for it and don’t hold back, forget what could go wrong and think of what could go right. Be prepared to take a leap of faith. As I
reflect on my own experiences and what
makes me different, I realise it is the fact
that whenever I wanted something I went for it.
Twitter: @OfficialZeeShah
In
Search of
Excellence The Asian community continues to thrive despite the challenging times, according to leading businessman, Ninder Johal.
The Asian community continues to thrive despite the challenging times
Mr Johal, chair of the Black Country Asian Business Association (BCABA), which is in its 13th year of operation and takes in 2,750 businesses, stated: “With a backdrop of three consecutive quarters of positive growth, the economy remains fragile. Whilst inflation now appears to be in line with the Bank of England’s target there is still a feeling that the general squeeze on household incomes remains, it is reassuring to see that the Asian business community continues to thrive. BCABA is the logical place for Asian businesses to turn to and for assistance with innovation and access to finance. We will be playing a central role in representing their interests to organisations such as the Black Country LEP and existing stakeholders such as the local authorities, export agencies such as UKTI and local colleges in order to tackle the skilling deficit in the region.
BCABA is the logical place for Asian businesses to turn to
BCABA is going from strength to strength. Its aim is to provide a strong voice for lobbying, a platform for Asian businesses, and signposting to mainstream support and advice. It offers an opportunity to network and share experiences, learning from successes and minimising the risks involved in venturing into the unchartered waters of diversification.
Businesses can enter before deadline of 4th April 2014 to use the opportunity of showcasing the great work they do. There is considerable publicity surrounding the awards dinner which have previously boasted prominent speakers such as Lord Paul, Lord Bhattachariya, Mo Choudary, Stewart Towe CBE ( Chair of the Black Country LEP), Parween Warsi CBE and Lord Bilimoria. Sponsors for the event include KTC Edibles Oils ltd, Birmingham Airport, Sandwell Council, Turkish Airlines and Walsall Council.
11 | www.asiansuk.com
Network’s Tommy Sandhu.
enter before the deadline of the 4th April 2014
The nomination form can be downloaded from www.bcaba.co.uk
Black Country Asian Business Association (BCABA) Annual – Awards Dinner
13 June 2014 – 7pm till late Wolverhampton Racecourse Holiday Inn Garden Court, Dunstall Park, Wolverhampton WV6 0PE. We would be delighted to have the pleasure of your company at the 13th Anniversary BCABA Annual Awards Dinner. With a high profile guest speaker, high quality entertainment and an awards ceremony, the evening will prove to be awonderful night celebrating Asian business achievement. For further information please contact: Ninder Johal BCABA Chair
The awards seek to celebrate and highlight the ever increasing importance of the Asian business community and its great contribution to the local, regional and national economy. The profile of the awards is increasing year on year.”
The show will be hosted by BBC Asian
ninder.johal@nachural.co.uk tel: 0870 609 4401 www.bcaba.co.uk Nachural Corporate Communications, Unit 6, Chancel Industrial Estate, Darlington Street, Wednesbury, West Midlands WS10 7SS. Ticket price: £80.00 + VAT
BCABA
B L A C K C O U N T R Y A S I A N B U S I N E S S A S S O C I AT I O N
BUSINESS AW A R D S
2 0 1 4
Business Woman
on the Rise Pav Shergill
Award winning Pav Shergill is a young, savvy and astute business woman on the rise. Let’s hear from the lady herself. Congratulations on winning Outstanding Young Entrepreneur of the year at the Institute of Asian Businesses (IAB) Awards. How did this come about and how does it feel to be an Award winner? It is a real honor to receive such
recognition in the first year of starting my business. Having been trading
for less than six months at the time, I
wasn’t planning on entering but I was encouraged to put myself forward. I applied very last minute and never expected to win.
What were you doing before you became an entrepreneur? I was working for the NEC Group as a
Communications Manager, and had been in that role for two years before I left to set up Monsoon Venue Group. Prior to
that I was a Communications Manager
for West Midlands Police for four years,
which was an amazing job during which
time I learnt a great deal and made some valuable friends.
What made you take the plunge and set up Monsoon Venue Group? I had always wanted to start my own
business, so when the opportunity to
12 | www.asiansuk.com
start Monsoon Venue Group came about I knew it was too good not to pursue. There are not many new businesses
that have the backing of an organisation like the NEC Group behind them, so to
have that I knew I was already in a very fortunate position.
In a nutshell, what is the core business of Monsoon Venue Group? Monsoon Venue Group manages Asian
events on behalf of leading venues. We
have exclusive rights to sell these venues to the Asian market, and are responsible for selecting external suppliers to work
within these venues. In addition to this
we proactively market the venues to our
client group to drive more business from the Asian community.
Monsoon Venue Group works with leading venues in Birmingham such as, The ICC, Symphony Hall, The Town Hall Birmingham and Stoneleigh Abbey; do such venues cater for the needs of British Asians and what is your reasoning in working with these venues as opposed to the traditional
Asian venues? The fact that I have been able to
collaborate with leading venues and
work in partnership them shows that
they want to cater to the needs of British
Asians. The potential of the Asian market is recognized however, the venues I work with do not have the cultural
understanding and expertise to be able
to provide the best service with regards
to Asian events, and are working with me and my company to help bridge this gap.
The greatest achievement was winning an IAB Award, especially so early on in my career
What are the underlying differences and similarities between hosting private functions and corporate events? The main underlying difference is the
budget, not in monetary value, but the
fact that with a corporate event it is
is a growing market; Asian weddings
Asian Bride Live is taking place on the
However, a private function is normally
I saw an opportunity for my business, as I
Group and Asian Bride Magazine. The
corporate money and not necessarily
coming directly out of someone’s pocket. paid for out of the family savings, so understandably the client is a more
conscious of how they are spending their money, and expect more in return.
in the UK are worth £300m a year and
rising. In fact as a result of the recession
recognised that due to budget cuts across the corporate events industry venues
that primarily focused their efforts on attracting corporate and government
so, where do you think that ambition
events were now more open to exploring
came from?
As the saying goes work hard to play
Have you always been ambitious and if
I think I have always been more hard
working then ambitious, and fortunately
alternative revenue streams.
the best suppliers in the Asian weddings industry, providing future brides and
grooms a one stop shop to get ideas and inspiration for their event.
For any budding Venue and Event
Any other upcoming events?
after a day’s work?
worked and we were always encouraged
works!
to strive to be successful.
event will showcase over a hundred of
me unwind and switch off after a day’s
hard, how do you relax and wind down Well I have a two year old, so I wouldn’t
family, both my parents have always
joint venture between Monsoon Venue
it is great to be in a position where you are directly accountable for your own success.
for me this has got me noticed by the
right people. I come from a hard working
9 March at the ICC Birmingham and is a
call it relaxing, but she definitely helps
What has been your greatest achievement or highlight? The greatest achievement was winning an IAB Award, especially so early on in my career. The biggest highlight of my
working life has to be attending a private drinks reception with David Cameron
when I worked on the 2012 Conservative Party Conference. Who would have
thought a simple Punjabi girl from a
working class family in Dudley would end up sipping champagne with the Prime Minister one day!
sipping champagne with the Prime Minister one day!
What have been the biggest challenges you have had to face in your career so far? Starting this business has been without a doubt the biggest challenge as going
from having a steady income to nothing is very scary. However, it is great to
be in a position where you are directly accountable for your own success.
As a business owner how have you dealt with the recession and coped in this time of financial crisis? The recession has not had an effect on my business, as Monsoon Venue Group is still very new. The industry I have entered
13 | www.asiansuk.com
managers reading this, what would why?
I have a few weddings already in the
You need to have good people skills
consumer lead events, so I guess at this
you say are the key skills needed and
and be able to relate to your clients and more importantly your clients have to
be able to relate to you. People buy from
people; I think too many business people
underestimate the importance and value of solid relationships.
Asian weddings in the UK are worth £300m
We hear Asian Bride Live is coming to the Midlands, please tell us more?
diary and I’m speaking to potential
partners about working together on more stage all I can say is watch this space!
The most famous teenager in the world receives the IAB President’s Award Malala Yousafzai the Pakistani school pupil and
education activist, who survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban, received the President’s
From left: James Elston (NEC Group), Mike Hopkins (South & City College Birmingham), Taz Parvez & Jay Masood (JM Security Systems), Anjum Khan (IAB Operations Director), Nasir Awan (IAB President), Aftab Chughtai (IAB Vice President), Malalal Yousafzai, Saqib Bhatti (IAB Vice President), Pav Shergill (Monsoon Venue Group), Umair Munir (Wow Internet), Stephanie Bradbury & Peter Dent (Edward’s Trust)
award from the Midlands Asian community at the
Winning business person of the year (sponsored by
bereaved parents and children, won the outstanding
at the International Convention Centre. Malala
his achievements in providing the stimulus for the
bereavement care helps to overcome the devastation
Institute of Asian Businesses (IAB) annual dinner and business awards ceremony, which took place was selected in recognition of her inspiration, achievements and efforts to help others.
Known for her education and women’s rights
activism in the Swat Valley, where the Taliban
the most powerful British Asian and Asian resident in the UK had at times banned girls from attending school,
the assassination attempt sparked a national and international outpouring of support. She was
recently named as the most powerful British Asian
and Asian resident in the UK by the Asian Media and Marketing Group power list.
Nasir Awan, president of the IAB said: “The
president’s award each year is given to a person who has shown dedication and inspires others. We are
honoured that this young teenager who inspires both young and old and has risked her life for this cause,
has chosen Birmingham as her home. In making this award, we felt that there is none more deserving.”
The IAB; part of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, is dedicated to providing extensive businesses services to its members. The Annual Dinner and Business Awards recognised the achievements of Midlands businesses.
14 | www.asiansuk.com
Irwin Mitchell LLP), was Mike Hopkins, principal of
South & City College Birmingham, in recognition for successful growth of the college.
Mr Hopkins oversaw the merger between South
Birmingham College and City College Birmingham and has grown the overall business to a figure of £61million. The college now employs over 1,500
staff, making it one of the largest employers in the city.
contribution to society award (sponsored by Birmingham Airport). The charity’s holistic
that comes to a parent losing a son or daughter, or a young child losing a parent.
Wow Internet won the first South and City College
Birmingham Apprenticeship Champion Award. The
specialist web design and social media company was
Arena.
The Annual Dinner and Business Awards recognised the achievements of Midlands businesses.
named joint winners of the outstanding customer
apprenticeship programme by taking on two young
Young entrepreneur of the year (sponsored by Total
Gas & Power Ltd.) went to PavShergill. Pav launched the Monsoon Venue Group in 2013 and has secured
an exclusive contract with the NEC Group to manage Asian events on behalf of the Group’s four world-
class venues, the ICC, the NEC, the NIA and the LG JM Security Systems and the NEC Group were
service of the year award (sponsored by East End
Foods plc). JM Security Systems provides security
solutions, delivering cost effective, reliable, quality installations with customer care to nationwide
clients. They are the only CCTV and Commercial
and residential alarm installation company that is in partnership with crime stoppers.
The NEC Group is one of the world’s leading venue management companies, providing a multitude of services including event management, catering, security, marketing, ticketing, IT and technical services.
Edward’s Trust, which offers vital support to
recognised for the support that it has given to the people.
Nasir Awan, president of the IAB said: “For many
years we have helped and supported our members to grow their business, create jobs and boost the Midlands economy. We were also delighted that we raised £3,275 for Birmingham Rathbone, which enables people with learning difficulties to achieve their full potential.”
Working hand in hand with Asian entrepreneurs
Burton Chambers has teamed up with AsiansUK and the Institute of Asian Businesses IAB (Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce) to increase focus on Asian businesses and entrepreneurs within Burton on Trent.
and business networks across the UK and realised very quickly the invaluable benefits of networking and forming alliances with others”
Ehan adds “Burton lacks this type of activity although it possesses a vibrant and aspiring Asian Population”
AsiansUK was founded by Burtonians Ehan Rajah and Shazana Raja, they are delighted to be involved within this venture to support other likeminded Asians in Burton on Trent to grow their businesses and networks. Ehan and Shazana add “As Burton is our home town this is a campaign very close to our hearts. Due to the very nature of AsiansUK we are involved with entrepreneurs
The Burton Chambers, AsiansUK and the IAB aim to readdress this balance to encourage collaboration and networking. It is going to be a superb mix and one to ensure Burton Asian Businesses remain in line with Industries across the UK.
Don’t be
nervous pitching!
of
Do you need to improve your presentation skills? We can help you achieve pitching success. Are you an entrepreneur? We are looking for Young, Visa, Hard of Hearing, Dyslexic, Deaf, Disabled and Entrepreneurs in Residence.
In our experience deaf and disabled entrepreneurs suffer communication barriers with Investors. You need to practise your pitch, and learn how to make a return on investment and maximise profit. We can work with entrepreneurs in most parts of the United Kingdom and can introduce you to pitching
15 | www.asiansuk.com
events in most large UK cities.
We can support you to make offers with Investors, Business Angels, Serial Entrepreneurs, Key influencers and Experienced High-Level Professionals. Pitching support is provided on a one to one basis, in a safe supportive and non-judgemental environment.
Pitching Advisor will be provided by Shezad Nawab. Shezad is an experienced entrepreneur, with many ventures with blue chip companies in a vast range of sectors. He is passionate about entrepreneurship in the United Kingdom, Europe, and internationally. He has helped many new businesses, start-ups, SMEs and growing businesses to achieve success.
Practice makes perfect pitching so contact Shezad Nawab: 0759 0398 797
mobile only text message / SMS
Entrepreneurs Sharks and Evolution By Azhar Siddique
I’ve always been intrigued by sharks
ever since I was knee high and now a
little older I’ve been fortunate enough to own my very own which forms a topic of
discussion for lovers and terrified guests at my humble abyss. No matter what
the feeling, they have very similar traits
start-ups are critical to building the entrepreneurial ecosystem
to entrepreneurs. Sharks play a very
important role in the oceans in a way
that an average fish does not. Sharks are at the top of the food chain in virtually every part of every ocean.
Like sharks some entrepreneurs have evolved significantly over the years,
standing the very test of time. So why
have some succeeded where others have failed? New situations, new people, new
technology and languages are unwelcome challenges for some and can sometimes
be interpreted as threatening change. But this change is an important part of our entrepreneurial evolution.
We’re all aware that start-ups are
critical to building the entrepreneurial ecosystem; however it’s the evolution of our entrepreneurial ability that is
creating the back bone to our economy
and we are in fact the ‘apex predators’ of this very ecosystem. Whether its gene
flow, adaptation or natural selection, as
and Microsoft have been able to embrace
for change and innovation; essentially
people eat, shop and communicate.
survival and global dominance. In fact
the most voracious acquirers in the
entrepreneurs we are constantly evolving as individuals altering the very way
Whether it’s through a crisis such as the recession or government legislation,
change is inevitable. Yet, why do so many entrepreneurs fear change?
Take a look at the bull shark it has
adapted over the years to survive in a
broad range of water salinities, from the
salt water of the ocean to the fresh water of a lake. Similarly some of the world’s greatest brands such as Google, Apple
16 | www.asiansuk.com
this very transition across borders and continents to increase their chances of the government’s aim is to double the
UK’s exports to £1 trillion by 2020 and attract more inward investment in UK infrastructure projects was driven by entrepreneurs and their businesses. If sharks are eliminated, the marine
ecosystem will lose its balance as they
form a vital part of the food chain cycle. Like sharks entrepreneurs are vital
for the economy as we are key drivers
replacing the old with the new. The
entrepreneurs behind Twitter are already technology industry having completed
the largest number of acquisitions with
the top four including Facebook, Google and Groupon.
Predatory sharks prey on the sick and the weak; by removing these they prevent
the spread of disease and outbreaks that could be devastating to the ecosystem.
Similarly we’ve seen companies feel the wrath of the economy such as the HMV
Group which was then later acquired by the entrepreneurs
behind Hilco UK, saving jobs, livelihoods and preserving global brands.
Traits of Entrepreneurs
Similarly to sharks Entrepreneurs like a challenge. If they didn’t, they probably wouldn’t be at the top of the cycle.
Successful entrepreneurs are always thinking ahead and
having a clearly established set of goals to keep them from
losing track. These goals are constantly evolving to overcome the very challenges we face.
Successful entrepreneurs are always thinking ahead There is one clear trait between entrepreneurs and sharks and that is they very rarely sleep. Most successful entrepreneurs work between 16-18 hours a day. In a recent interview Jack
Dorsey, CEO of Square & Founder of Twitter highlighted that he spent between 8-9 hours between each business every
day. My average working day falls within 16 hours; however I’ve experienced staying awake for two days solid for the
completion of projects and contracts.
Successful entrepreneurs can visualise how they want their
future to unfold. They hold a clear picture of what direction
they want their business to take and possess a plan to guide it
from conception to reality. In my opinion the late Steve Jobs is probably one of the elite entrepreneurs of our time and what was unique about him was his ability to create demand for
the future. An important step in determining whether you are suitable to an entrepreneurial lifestyle is your potential to
clearly communicate the dreams and vision you have for your business.
entrepreneurs and sharks and that is they very rarely sleep
Sharks have defined their own future in particular, the Great White with movie theatres worldwide illuminated with
posters for terrifying shark flicks such as Jaws. The best
entrepreneurs believe they can define their own future and
use this self-assurance to persuade people to invest finances in to their businesses. Whether it’s through crowd funding,
angel investors or equity investments the ability to convince
people can set you on path for your future. For example; Virgin Group’s Richard Branson links a diverse range of businesses
which include airlines, beverage companies and music stores with a vision for the future.
will you become a shark or the average fish
Most shark species also rely heavily on their sense of taste. Before these sharks eat something, they will give it a “test
bite”. They analyse the potential meal to see if it’s palatable
and will often reject prey that is outside their ordinary diet. One of the most important “bite tests”is to analyse your
business idea by reaching out to your target demographic. Not just your friends and family, but people who would actually
want to buy or use your product or service. They’re much less
likely to be biased. If you fail, don’t worry many inventors and entrepreneurs including myself openly admit to having failed
at some point in our careers. In fact this very failure forms part of my discussion at presentation events and key note speaking. What’s clearly evident is that in order to become an
entrepreneur you need to be on the food chain of this very
ecosystem and strive to become the ‘apex predator’. But the real question you need to ask yourself is will you become a shark or the average fish; predator or prey? Azhar on Twitter: @Azhar_Siddique
17 | www.asiansuk.com
Top 5 Tips
on how
Social Media brings out ‘Brand You’! We all know that social media is great for keeping in touch with friends and family, acquaintances and colleagues, no matter where they are in the world. We even
know that businesses are increasingly using social media to promote their
products and services, by making use
of the ‘word-of-mouth’ approach which social media has cultured. But do you
also know that you can use social media to boost your own image and make
yourself have a celeb-like status in the digital world?
Confused? Convinced? Allow me to elaborate for you.
If businesses can develop their
professional brand in the world of social media, why can’t employers be a little nosy? Is it really wrong? Makes you think doesn’t it.
But does that mean you still can’t frolic
about on social media? No, you can, but
if you are thinking of carving out a brand for yourself and you want people to
regard you in a certain way then you will need to moderate what you do.
Here are my Top 5 Tips on how to do just that:
Tip #1 Mind Your Language Pardon the tone, but overusing expletives such as swearing and verbally abusing even when you are posting content on the news feed or on a friend’s wall is
not going to make people respect you.
They may dig your sense of humour, but they will not want to hire you to sell something!
18 | www.asiansuk.com
Tip #2
Choose your Pose Similarly, posing in ways that may offend
is also a no-no. Professional photos - yes; family photos- yes; even ‘aww’-inducing
face-to-camera couples photos – yes. But any image whether it is taken by you or
someone else that shows what we don’t
want to see will not help branding your personality.
Tip #3
Be Consistent Make sure the details you post on your website, email signatures and all your
social media profiles are consistent and
not baffling. For example, if your website says you’re an entrepreneur and your
Twitter bio says you’re a ‘guitarist’ – this will cause confusion.
Tip #4
Stay Active
There is no good in having accounts on social media and not being present on them. Even if it is once a week, make
sure you do something to show that you
really do exist on these platforms. There is nothing more off-putting then to see a
LinkedIn profile with only 2 members – it means you have the account for the sake of it.
Tip #5
Set your Tone Are you a speaker or a listener? Are you a funny sort, or a serious sort? Are you
a night-out, or a night-in type? Are you a
combination of these? Be whatever your
personality type is, make sure you reflect this in the way you say things on social
you can use social media to boost your own image and make yourself have a celeblike status media. This will give visitors a decent
impression of what to expect when they want to work with you.
So, the key to your personality brand
is: stay true to yourself and reflect this
reality in your social media interactions. Sudakshina Bhattacharjee is an online communications specialist and has
recently co-authored a new book on
Business English called Improve Your Global Business English.
Sudakshina’s Website: http:// sudakshinakina.wordpress.com Twitter: @SudakshinaKina
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ ImproveYourGlobalBusinessEnglish
The English Asian
Business Awards The English Asian Business Awards 2013 took place at Salford
City Stadium in Greater Manchester. The glamorous event was
hosted by Shazana Raja of AsiansUK Magazine & PR (that’s us!) and the exceptional former Apprentice 2013 star Zeeshaan Shah.
hosted by Shazana Raja of AsiansUK Magazine
The English Asian Business Awards honoured the
determination, hard work and personal achievements of
British Asians, as well as recognising the achievements of
Asian men and women at the forefront of their industries.
This year’s prestigious Power Business of the Year Award was won by internationally recognised mobile communications
tycoons Lycamobile, while Bradford Football Club, took home the Community Award for their hard work and involvement
English Asian Business Awards honoured the determination, hard work and personal achievements of British Asians
with inter-generational activities and inclusive projects that engages with the whole of the Bradford Community.
Business Development Director of Oceanic Consulting, AmitArora said,
“Tonight’s winners are fantastic examples of the passion and dedication of England’s Asian business communities and we are proud to have been able to highlight their achievements. After the success of tonight’s awards we are sure the English Asian Business Awards will continue to highlight even greater the contribution made by English Asian men & women to the English economy.”
The English Asian.... Business Awards 2013 Winners Young Achiever of the Year: Mayah Riaz (MR3 Group) Rising Star Award: Daljit Jagait (Land Rover/Jaguar) Franchisee of the Year: Atul Pathak (APPT Corp t/a McDonalds) The Community Award: Bradford FC Creative Mind 2013: Muhammed Yaqoob (National Halal Food Group) New Business of the Year: Trade Next Global Small Business of the Year: Castors & Wheel Direct Ltd Retail Business of the Year: Suits Me Best Professional in Business: Luke Patel (Blacks Solicitors) Business woman of the Year: VanitaParti (Blink Brow Bar) Businessman of the Year: Amjad Pervez (Seafresh/Adams) Entrepreneur of the Year: Mahmud Kamani (Boohoo) Business of the Year: Diamond Box Power Business of the Year: LycaMobile
19 | www.asiansuk.com
The Value of Asian Awards Yasmin Jaunbocus | Twitter: @yasminjay53 For decades, British Asians have made it
British Asian businesses span diverse
these awards are crucial to the
population in the UK but are said to
the only success stories of the British
winners of these awards are sometimes
their business to be successful in Britain. British Asians make up 4% of the overall contribute 6% to the total economy. In
London alone, Asian British businesses account for 13% of all businesses and
Asian owned firms provide 210,000 jobs in the capital. Recently the mainstream media has largely covered negative
aspects of British Asian culture and
traditions, so highlighting success stories in the worlds of business, politics and
areas such as finance, hospitality, I.T
and health. However, businesses aren’t Asian population; sports and media
personalities such as Amir Khan and
Dev Patel show the wealth of creative
vision and determination of the British Asian community. Award schemes are invaluable in providing young British Asians with positive role models in a
progression and expansion of the
successes in British Asian business. The
nominated by the public, an independent
panel or even industry professionals and experts. Two such businesses that are
dedicated to celebrating Asian success are Oceanic Consulting and The Asian
Awards which is part of the Lemon Group. AsiansUK asked them about their vision,
fashion help people realise just how far British Asians have come.
The British Asian community has a reputation of being hard working
Many may ask why it is particularly
important to highlight a business’ success based on the ethnicity of the business
owners, and would be at no fault for doing so. However, acknowledging success in spite of ignorance, resistance and
overcoming hurdles is worth celebrating. Awards schemes, such as the Asian
Business Awards also help bring together similar businesses to form a network of
success stories that can learn from each
other and use their varied experiences to
improve their own products and services. The British Asian community has a reputation of being hard working,
entrepreneurial and have come a long way from the stereotypical corner
shop or curry house owners. Today
20 | www.asiansuk.com
Paul Sagoo – Asian Awards myriad of different industries showing that race and ethnicity need not be a
barrier to achievement. These events not only encourage the wider British public to appreciate the contribution British
Asians are making to the economy and community as highlighted by political
figures such as Ken Livingstone, but also mean the British Asian community can take a moment to reflect on their own hard work and take pride in it too.
Asian British award schemes offer a platform for Asian businesses
and individuals to highlight their
achievements. For this reason alone,
aims and dedication to rewards and recognition.
Oceanic Consulting has maintained
its position as the UK’s leading Black
Award schemes are invaluable in providing young British Asians with positive role models
and Ethnic promotions and consulting company this year and continue to
be invaluable to ethnic success. They
strive to promote different cultures in
the UK and the economic opportunities
associated with a multicultural society.
“We provide effective means to get your
message across to your public of interest through strategically promoting the
BME community to the mainstream and
vice versa. Oceanic Consulting have built a national reputation based on results and are recognised for our strategic
approach towards public relations, event management and marketing.
Oceanic Consulting have been responsible for delivering a substantial list of events
with a reputation for quality such as: The Scottish and English Curry Awards, The Hungama Festival, The English Asian Business Awards, The Scottish Asian
Business Awards, The British Muslim
Awards, The British Indian Awards and the Asian Entertainment Awards.
Asian British award schemes offer a platform for Asian businesses and individuals to highlight their achievements.
The aim of the awards is to highlight
the talent and achievements of UK Asian
Entrepreneurs who are pioneers in their respective industries. The events look to capture the multicultural spirit of
the United Kingdom and have become
instrumental in maintaining the social
and professional relationships between different cultures.”
When AsiansUK asked why awards ceremonies and events specifically
geared at Asian success are important,
Paul Sagoo CEO of the Lemon Group and
21 | www.asiansuk.com
founder of the Asian Awards was keen
to help people to see the effectiveness of events like these
“As it stands you can count the number
of “Asian” awards ceremonies in the UK
on two hands, yet the number of overall
award ceremonies are over 500, so there is still work to be done. Our event, The
platform for more equal recognition.
Events like those pioneered by Paul Sagoo from the Lemon Group and businesses like Oceanic Consulting, highlight the
importance of representing a more equal face of commerce, entertainment and business in Britain.
Asian Awards, is very different to the
others in the UK as we focus on global achievers no matter where they live.
The Asian Awards provide much more than just recognition for the winners.
They educate the public as to who these people are and what developments are occurring in the various sectors that
Asians are associated with. If you asked the average person to name an Asian
philanthropist, for example, they would not have an answer; we provide those answers. Also our platform is great
for businesses who wish to reach out and connect with the affluent Asian
community and create brand recognition for themselves.
One of the other areas we have noticed is around encouraging inward investment. When we bring big winners to the UK
from abroad they spend time here and learn about opportunities available
here. A good example is Ratan Tata who won our Business Leader of the Year
in 2010. The Asian Awards also brings together the UK Asian community to
celebrate their own heroes in a world
class environment. The Asian Awards
are not a local community event; they are global and just so happen to take place in London.”
The Asian Awards were born out of a
simple vision; to create an event which would honour the highest levels of
achievement from within the global
Asian community. The Asian Awards is
the only event that pays tribute to Asian success, highlighting inspirational role models in the fields of business, sport,
entertainment, philanthropy and popular arts and culture.
Though award ceremonies specifically targeted towards the British Asian
community may at first appear exclusive, they are evidently valuable and offer a
Yasmin Jaunbocus is a recent English Literature graduate of Lancaster University. Originally from Manchester with a Mauritian background she is currently working in publishing in London. Yasmin has a special interest in postcolonial literature and how literature can help describe a more universal human experience rather than one specifically geared towards difference. Check out her blog: yasminjaunbocus. wordpress.com
22 | www.asiansuk.com
A local Fife business, Insure Smart, has secured the prestigious “Small Business of the Year” award at the 7th Annual Scottish Asian Business Awards in a ceremony held at the Thistle Hotel in Glasgow on Wednesday 12th December attended by over 600 people from all over Scotland; winning the award ahead of stiff competition from “Dragon’s Den” success story ‘iCafe’.
The Scottish Asian Business Awards have been celebrated annually since 2006 – honouring the determination, hard work and personal achievements of the Scottish Asian Business men and women at the forefront of their industries. Each year the competition has become more intense as the event itself has grown into a highly respected outlet where the best and brightest are honoured. The award was presented by Rory McKail, the West of Scotland Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses at the event sponsored by the Bank of Scotland. In his acceptance speech, Amir Salim paid tribute to his co-founding brother, Athar Salim, who sadly passed away in May 2006. Athar’s untimely death was such a major loss to the company, but the foundation he helped lay was instrumental in the continued growth of the company. Amir went on to thank his family and also the hard working staff for helping Insure Smart to receive this award.
Naeem Khalid from Fife Racial Awareness Equality (FRAE Fife) has commended Insure Smart when arranging his own insurance saying that “they are a great company. The office is nice, the coffee is good and the premiums were far less than I was being quoted elsewhere.” Insure Smart is based in Kirkcaldy at 342 High Street, previously home to Pillans Bakery. Founded in June 2004, and starting life in a small office above a bank, such was the growth of the company that they moved into the new premises in September 2009. This followed a major renovation turning the property from one of Fife’s favourite bakers into a modern, open plan office. Insure Smart now has a workforce of 10 people fully dedicated to providing clients with a high standard of personal service.
Insure Smart deal with some of the major Insurers such as Aviva, AXA, NIG, Ageas & Royal & Sun Alliance. Although they are a Commercial Insurance specialist who cover many businesses from all over the UK, they also have a wide market for Personal Lines Insurance (house, car, travel).
is
Visit their website for more information – www.insure-smart.co.uk InsureSmart Leaflet o_p
20/12/06
19:58
Page 1
is -
insure SMART
Please call us now to discuss your requirements or to arrange a no obligation consultation with one of our helpful advisors on
01592 649786 or visit our website at www.insure-smart.co.uk
-
is -
insure SMART
Commercial Insurance Specialists Insure Smart Limited 214 High Street, Kirkcaldy, KY1 1JT
Tel: 01592 649786
T : 01592 649786 F : 01592 649787 E : info@isgb.co.uk W : www.insure-smart.co.uk Registered in Scotland: SC268774
23 | www.asiansuk.com
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
The ‘Asian’ Dream By Razwan Nazir Twitter: @RazNazir
The American dream was first dreamt by the European settlers who had left
their homeland for a better life. Their
motto was to have that one “opportunity” and then through hard work they would
build a much better life than the one they were leaving behind in Europe. Sounds
familiar? Fast forward a couple hundred
years, a few thousand miles east and with some spicy masala, you stumble upon another similar dream.
The Second World War shaped Europe and also helped to shape India. India
gained independence from the British
Raj creating a new identity for over 100
million people. The next decade saw the
coming together of two crucial economic
and market factors, “supply and demand”. Britain had the demand of labour, South East Asia had the supply. Thus giving birth to the Asian Dream!
Over £60 billion of wealth is created by Asians in London alone,
There are clear parallels and connects
between the American and Asian dreams. Both rely on the belief that prosperity
can be achieved through hard work, and
underpinning this ideal was that “all men are created equal”. The majority of the first wave of Asians that hit the British
towns and cities in the 1950’s and 60’s all shared the same dream.
So exactly what was this dream? Let’s
get a first degree account of this dream
and I know a man who had one, my father. My father arrived in 1964 as a young
teenager with limited education and even more limited money. The one thing that
was unlimited was his tenacity, his can do attitude and a passion to succeed. These folks, who were all economic migrants, had come to uplift their families
24 | www.asiansuk.com
financially and socially back “home”. My father always “dreamed” and
certainly believed that after a few years of hard graft he would return home to
Punjab. There on his soil, he would build his Mansion which would symbolise his hard work, his sacrifices and most of
all it would symbolise his achievement. He would go back to his roots with the wealth collated in Britain and begin a
life on a greater social and a healthier
financial standing that would serve his
current and future generations to come. This was the “The Asian Dream”.
This dream would change the landscape of Britain and just like in any dream,
there came a few twists and turns. Along the journey for these hard working
bachelors, something called personal life cropped up, something which they had not really planned for.
For many young Asian men, after a few years of hard work and moving up the
labour ladder, marriage happened and the dynamics changed. They now had a wife to house and look after. Well a couple of more years won’t hurt they
thought, so they carried on working all
hours God sent them. Soon the first child came followed by the first real business
venture or a better job. Again a couple of more years they all thought.
Soon, new luxuries could be afforded, there was a sense of security and
suddenly Britain was looking more than just a financial pit stop, yet whenever
there would be a festive gathering, the
common consensus was a couple of more years.
Asians entered the 90’s by sitting on some of the most lucrative housing stocks
A few more years passed and the family
grew. The “dream” took a back seat as the schooling and education of the children took importance. Seizing business
opportunities and securing professional positions became the focus. As the
children grew, their colleges, universities and marriages took a big chunk of the
dream with them. However this hope
of a couple of more years stood firm and remained the mantra in small talk.
Now we are entering the third generation and for many, the mansions are built, plots of valuable land and property
bought in the main commercial hubs in
India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, yet the dream is incomplete.
are more likely to open their own business
The dream wasn’t just an acquisition
of these worldly comforts it was also of
the return of all those sons and brothers who had left the Asian shores. It is here
entertainment, branded food lines, sports and even pharmaceutical industry. Asian wealth now covers a very diverse base
reflecting a typical metro society. Adding to this contribution is the value and
volume. Over £60bn of wealth is created by Asians in London alone, they are no
longer a migrant community but a part and parcel of the establishment.
However, there are subtle changes to the
mindset, the first migrants from Asia may be able to pass on certain work ethics and die hard attitudes to the next generation, but one thing they cannot pass on is
their “dream”. The first generation were busy putting together wealth for their
dream back home, the second and third generation Asians have built all their
dreams here as they now see Britain as their home.
We also have to bear in mind the Asians established themselves in Britain when it was going through one of the biggest industrial transformations. The 70’s
broke the backbone of manufacturing and mining. The 80’s firmly put the nails in
the coffin. So what if there was sluggish economic growth and negative equities
flying about, the Asians entered the 90’s
British Asians make up around 7% of the UK Population but contribute over 10% to the nation’s commercial output.
where the American and the Asian dream parallel ends. American dream was
all about permanent settlement. Asian dream was always about returning.
Whilst the protagonist may feel a bit lost as it is still detached from its mother
soil, all is not lost for our heroes. The
chase for the dream has brought its fair share of recognition and prize for the
Asian community. The contribution to the British culture is much more than
just exotic food and colourful fashion.
Extending from its entrepreneur zeal, it has spilled over to mainstream politics,
25 | www.asiansuk.com
by sitting on some of the most lucrative housing stocks in the major cities up and down the country and in typical
Indian style did “one two ka four” with properties.
The Asian rich list is getting interesting
every year with new millionaires joining
the club and the emergence of females in a very male dominated arena suggests that certain social and cultural barriers are
coming down fast. All this has been made
a reality because of that Asian dream held by the original clans who arrived here three generations ago.
Putting an economic context to this
research shows that British Asians make up around 7% of the UK population but contribute over 10% to the nation’s
commercial output. There is no corner or High Street of the UK that does not have
an Indian Takeaway. It is has become as British as “Fish and Chips”. Statistical insight reveal that Asians are more
likely to open their own business than
any other group. Over 40,000 Asian
businesses trading in London attract clients from all over the world.
Back home in a small town in India or a
village in Pakistan relatives and friends
have seen tangible change and heard too many rags to riches stories. This has
fuelled fire in the belly of yet another
generation, wanting to test their fates, who also want to jump onto that one
opportunity holding that “Asian” dream. Let’s end with a total and complete
celebration of what has been achieved. A great sense of gratitude is owed to this
great generation who dedicated their life
to make Britain the cultural capital of the world as well as providing for successive family generations back home. Their
dream may not be complete as it was first dreamt but they certainly have made
dreams for the British Born Asians come true. We as second and third generation Asians dream of purchasing a Mercedes or a BMW rather than paying for a sibling’s wedding.
They now sit in retirement and reflect, trying to grasp where all those years went. In the middle of this nostalgic
moment if I was to ask my father of his plans in regards to returning back to
what he terms his home, he will simply reply “a couple of more years.....”.
A Masters Graduate of Computing from Manchester University (2000), Razwan Nazir embarked his career with Logica CMG in Central London as a Business Consultant. He went onto join HSBC Bank (2002) and became one of the Regional heads looking after the Islamic Banking Division in the Midlands (2007). Currently consulting in the Corporate/SME sectors, Razwan has over 13 years in Business and Finance experience and now is about to launch his own business consultancy firm, Consilium Consulting Ltd.
All About Apps
Productivity By Davina Raj Pancholi
Getting more done throughout your day isn’t simply a matter of sitting down and working harder. Instead, being more productive requires that you work harder on the right things, in addition to tackling them as efficiently as possible. For the business community, there are plenty of apps out there that will help to both organise an overwhelming workload and provide the motivation needed to get things done.
plenty of apps out there that will help
I have been part of the mobile phone industry from the era of the brick to the tiny device in the pocket and have watched them grow back up to behemothic proportions once more. With a breadth of experience using apps, I would like to share my knowledge of what is on the market with you, so you can also become more productive. The following are five of my favourites:
being more productive requires that you work harder on the right things
BizXpense Tracker Expense and Mileage Tracker. iOS £3.99
If you travel a lot as part of your job and
26 | www.asiansuk.com
need a reliable system to collate your travel expenses, then this is the perfect app that will enable you to do just that. The BizXpense Tracker app will help you organise your expenses and mileage with ease and clarity. This intuitive app provides running expenses for selected trips, archives photos of your receipts, calculates VAT and your mileage via GPs and then reports back straight to your desktop or dropbox folders. BizXpense tracker now also supports back up via iCloud making it even more reliable.
track all of your thoughts in one place
Evernote,
iOS, Android, PC & Mac, Free Do you find that you note ideas down on scraps of paper and then forget where they are? Well, introduce this app into your life and you will be able to track all of your thoughts in one place. Evernote boasts that productivity is an extension of your brain and I couldn’t agree more. The note taking and syncing service lets you create to do lists, jot down notes, capture photos and capture voice notes all of which are searchable within the app. The application requires you to sign in with your email address at setup ensuring all your notes are backed up securely should the unmentionable happen to your
handheld device.
Prezi
iOS, Windows and Mac, From Free to ££ Bored of those boring predictable presentations when delivering a talk, training session or workshop? Prezi is a cloud based presentation software that opens up a new world between whiteboards and slides. The zoomable canvas makes it fun to explore ideas and says farewell to one dimensional thinking. The easy to use software allows you to build and collaborate on presentations with colleagues or even import your PowerPoint presentations all the while having them securely stored in the cloud and secure if you have invested in the professional licences.
Google Drive
iOS, Android, PC & Mac, Free Do you find it is a struggle to keep all of
easy to use software
your documents with you wherever you are in the world? Google Drive gives you access to your work from anywhere, across your Mac, PC, mobile devices and on the web. Simply download the drive onto your Mac or PC to sync files from your computer to the cloud. As you update a file on one device the changes are automatically saved to your drive and other devices, so you have the most up-to-
date version of your files wherever you need them.
Bitcasa
iOS, Android, PC & Mac, Free Bitcasa is your essential app for cloud storage. Essentially it works the same as Dropbox but without the space restrictions. There is a small annual cost but then you have access to truly unlimited storage space. This software integrates into your desktop nicely even allowing you to “mirror” any of your folders to ensure even if you are running off Dropbox , desktop or any other service, Bitcasa will synchronise your files.
So now you are aware of my top 5 apps which will help you increase productivity, here are is a review of the Sony Xperia Tablet Z which you could use as a device to download the apps on to.
Tech Talk :
Sony Xperia Tablet Z review The new Xperia Tablet Z gives more than enough reasons to finally consider an Android-powered tablet over Apple’s offering. The Xperia Tablet Z is touted as the thinnest 10.1-inch tablet on the market, and at just 6.9 mm thick, the claims are tough to dispute. In fact, it’s even thinner than the 7.9-inch iPad mini, and at 1.09 pounds, it is also extremely light and sturdy. The overall design is extremely clean, understated, and attractive.
27 | www.asiansuk.com
As a waterproof device, the headphone, microUSB, and microSD slots are all covered with doors and they do a good job at protecting the internals from liquid. While I personally don’t use tablets for photography, the tablet is equipped with a nice rear-facing 8-megapixel camera with an Exmor R sensor. The camera is surprisingly good and is better than most, if not all, tablet cameras. The battery life is quite extensive as well. Moderate use will easily get you days away from the charger, and even when sitting idly overnight, the tablet’s battery remains at a relatively steady level due to its “Battery Stamina” mode. However, those who intend on using the tablet for extended periods of time will want to stay close to an outlet.
Sony have added some extra functionality to the lower navigation bar by including some quick access buttons that can be used to bring up smaller, windowed apps that can be viewed on top of full screen apps. You can also pin four apps to the top navigation bar, which are accessible from any page of the home screen. Included as standard is the brands own suite of apps, ranging from Music and Video Unlimited (both of which can be
uninstalled) to the PlayStation Mobile store and a remote control app that utilizes the tablet’s IR blaster.
At £499.99 for the 16GB model, Sony’s latest is right in line with the 4th generation iPad, but holds the advantage of being 4G ready for your broadband use on the go. So, if you’re in the market for a full-sized Android tablet, the Xperia Tablet Z is a no-brainer. With its quality, lightweight design and useful software features, Sony has successfully built an Android tablet that has the chops to even make some iPad owners envious.
Biography
Davina Raj Pancholi has been part of the mobile phone industry from the era of the brick to the tiny device in the pocket... and now watching them grow back up to behemothic proportions once more. She has spent the last 2 years working for a mobile phone retailer and still can’t resist answering the dreaded question - “which new phone should I get?” - with 15 choices. Twitter: @davina_pancholi
Let’s get
cooking with Irfan
Razaq
Twitter: @ArfanRazak
If you went into the kitchen at my Mum’s house and you looked for recipes, you wouldn’t find any; no recipe cards, no rules, no measurements, just pure genius and instinct based on years of knowledge handed down from mother to daughter, or as in my case mother to son. Ask for a recipe and you would get a little tap on the ear, “my food has no recipe, a bit of this and a bit of that”, would be the answer. I‘ve watched my mother cooking for many years, made notes, and even filmed her. No matter how I try to recreate what she is doing; it’s never as good. So, I have managed to teach myself “Mum style” cooking by watching and doing a great deal of eating. She is an amazing cook and has influenced what I cook in my kitchen, which just happens to be based mainly in a restaurant. Here are the two dishes, which took me an age to master to the high standards and taste of my Mum, Lamb Rogan and Bhindi. They are also the most requested dishes by my customers. Best of all - they are ultra-healthy, as we use very little fat.
Indian and Punjabi food is not as complex as some think. A little basic knowledge will make it easier, but do not be put off trying new dishes. You will get better with practice and more confident with each awesome dish you master. If all else fails, make a trip to Mum’s.
Tips
>>Buy fresh coriander and freeze what
you do not use in an air tight bag, then it’s always there when you need it.
>>Reduce the amount of oil/butter used
during cooking by adding a little water, and often. It will keep ingredients soft and prevent burning.
>>Grill/oven cook meat and then add it to
your sauce for an even healthier option.
Irfan Razaq is currently Chef Patron of the Curry Lounge, one of the most successful Indian Restaurants in the country. It boasts a reputation many would envy, offering authentic food and excellent service. Here he shares his experience and knowledge of Asian food… 28 | www.asiansuk.com
Lamb Rogan
If you’re like me, my childhood memories of curry were drowned with ghee or butter. Nowadays, we all want the taste of proper Indian food, but want to watch the fat, cholesterol and calories. My Lamb Rogan is low in calories but, still packed with flavour.
Ingredients
1kg lamb chops (or any red meat on the bone) 2 large onions finely chopped 4 tablespoon cholesterol free oil or olive oil 3 tsp garam masala powder 3 green chilies finely chopped 2 tsp garlic and ginger paste (or 3 cloves of garlic & 1 inch of ginger chopped) 1 tsp salt 2 tsp cumin powder 2 tsp coriander powder ½ tsp red chili powder 1 tsp turmeric powder
4.Once onions have browned add the dry
1/4 tsp of asafoetida (or hing as Mum calls it)
cumin powder plus the garam masala powder,
1/2 tsp dried mango powder
spices (red chili, turmeric, coriander and
fry into the onions with a splash of water for about 10 mins.
5.Add the lamb chops you cooked in the oven and heat through on medium heat for 10 mins.
6.Add the tomatoes and stir well for 5
minutes.
7.Add the yogurt and cook on high heat for 5
2 tbsp low fat natural yogurt ½ tin of chopped tomatoes.
Method 1.Heat the oil in a large pan
2.Add the chopped onion, salt, pepper, garlic
and ginger then cook until onions are slightly brown. The slower you take to do this, the
9.During this time you can keep spooning off the excess oil on the surface.
10.Once the lamb is tender, add chopped
into a hot oven for around 15 mins to roast.
This will remove some of the excess fat from the meat. Cover surface with foil to stop the meat from drying out.
29 | www.asiansuk.com
2.
Add the cumin seeds until they begin to crackle.
3.
simmer for a further 10 minutes, then add
Add the asafoetida and garlic and fry for about 20 seconds on medium heat
Bhindi
mins until they become light brown. Add a little water if onions begin to burn or stick when required.
coriander and cook for 2 minutes. If not coriander.
This recipe is quick and really delicious one. Even the novice cook can master it every time. My secret here is using lemon juice during cooking, not only will this help lock in the vibrant green colour of the Okra but will also reduce the “slimy” consistency when you cook it - this is unavoidable as the enzyme in Okra is a thickening agent (try using it in vegetable curry and soup for lovely thick sauce.
Ingredients
250g bhindi (Do not wash just wipe clean & cut into 1 inch pieces) 1 large onion (finely chopped)
2 green chilies (deseeded if you do not want it too hot, chopped)
sprinkle with some salt and pepper, and place
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
Method 1.Heat oil in a pan.
1 tablespoon of crushed garlic
chops on a baking tray with a drip tray,
Handful chopped coriander
a low heat.
8.Cover the pan and simmer for 15 mins on
30 mins or so.
3.While you are doing this, place the lamb
3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
2 plum tomatoes (sliced)
deeper the flavour of the onions releasing a
natural sweetness from the onions. I suggest
Salt and pepper for taste
minutes then add 150 mls of water
(also known as Okra or Ladies fingers) Handful of chopped coriander for garnish
1/2 garam masala powder
3/4 teaspoon (tsp) cumin seeds 1/2 tsp of chili powder (if you like it hot add 3/4 tsp of chili powder) 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder 1/2 tsp teaspoon coriander
4.Put in the onions and sauté for about 15 5.
Then add turmeric, dry mango powder and green chilli and stir into onions for 2 mins
6.Taste for salt and pepper only.
7.Next add the red chilli powder, garam
masala powder and coriander powder and make into a paste with a little of the oil. Stir into onion gravy for 2 mins.
8.Add tomatoes and stir into sauce until soft. Taste!
9.
Add the bhindi, lemon juice and pinch of salt and pepper, stir and simmer for 5 mins with lid on the pan to keep in the moisture. You might want to stir a couple of times as may stick. If it does just add a splash of water to bottom of the pan.
10.
Remove lid and taste. If bhindi is firm cook on high heat until the texture you require.
11.Add fresh coriander and stir into dish, bhindi is ready to serve.
In Conversation with Adnan Ansari, the Founder of Pakistan Fashion Week
what it has to offer to the Western market. That is why I use multicultural models. I see this as a tool making Pakistani culture and fashion more accessible. I also value British Asian Fashion and want to give emerging designers the opportunity to exhibit on the ramp.
Pakistan Fashion Week highlights Pakistani culture and what it has to offer to the Western market.
Did you face any challenges when starting Pakistan Fashion Week and how did you overcome them? Presented by Riwayat, Pakistan Fashion Week took place on the 2nd and 3rd November at the Hilton Paddington hotel, London. An eclectic mix of diverse talented designers presented their work on the ramp including high profile names such as Ayesha Aejaz, Bombay Stores, Gul Ahmed, Rana Noman and Sonya Batla to name a few.
The fashion and glamour was fantastic, with the contemporary trends showcased putting Pakistani Fashion into the mainstream spotlight. We caught up with Adnan Ansari, the founder of Riwayat and the man behind Pakistan Fashion Week to get his perspective on Pakistani Culture and British Asian Fashion.
I employed fashion as an opportunity to launch Riwayat which is so much more than fashion and about culture Please explain the aims of Riwayat?
Riwayat was founded two years ago; I decided to call it Riwayat as this word means ‘traditions’ in Urdu. We want to promote ‘Riwayat’which encompasses all aspects of Pakistani arts, culture and fashion.
I am originally from Pakistan and my background is in media. I have worked in the industry for 25 yearsand was previously the Head of Design at PTV (Prime TV). When I initially moved to the UK five years ago I found I was overqualified and it was very difficult to find suitable opportunities. I met the co-founder of Riwayat, Chris East at a few charity functions and he was interested in my area of work and keen to collaborate on a project. It just so happened at that time one of my many fashion designer friends suggested I help them out. I was asked to organise a fashion event for the Pakistani High Commission and after this experience I got the idea to produce Pakistani Fashion Week. I employed fashion as an opportunity to launch Riwayat which is so much more than fashion and about culture. The fashion aspect was to attract attention to Riwayat as a concept and use this as a launch pad for the project. Riwayaten compasses all aspects of Pakistani culture and aims to project a realistic perspective of the country on an international level. In a nutshell I produced Pakistan Fashion Week to attract attention to Riwayat. Please do expand onPakistan Fashion Week?
Pakistan Fashion Week highlights Pakistani culture and
30 | www.asiansuk.com
We faced many challenges as we had no funds, at the moment Riwayat is a self-funded organisation. What we did have was the invaluable support from volunteers and the show would not have been a success without them. Yes, the main challenge was the issue of finance, whatever money we accumulated it went back into the developing the event.
Despite the challenges I must add the fact that social media has been a brilliant platform for us. The support online has allowed us to go international and we are now taking Pakistan Fashion Week as far afield as Oslo and New York. What were the highlights of Pakistan Fashion Week 5 for you?
social media has been a brilliant platform for us. The support online has allowed us to go international
Each time we bring in new designers we get to showcase different forms of designs and styles. Pakistan Fashion week
is a one of a kind show which encompasses so much and is so diverse. We had 22 designers feature on the ramp and this was a real highlight for us as you got to see such different collections and amazing talent.Another highlight was our use of music to accompany the show as we used Pakistani folk music in a contemporary way. Who are the designers we should be looking out for?
Without a doubt Sonia Battla, Rana Numan and Gul Ahmed. Their pieces are signature pieces and they always present something different and fresh. Pakistan Fashion Week 5 was no exception to this and you can see the quality and standard of their work. What future projects do you have planned for Riwayat?
I am currently developing a youth project in collaboration with the UN which focusses on film production. I am also looking at developing a short film festival in London which will showcase at least six films developed by Pakistani producers and reflect a modern image of Pakistan. Furthermore, I have plans to start food and theatre festivals in London, again both will highlight the traditions of Pakistan. I am an art collector and I am currently working on developing exhibitions in London, Glasgow and Manchester which showcase my collection of Pakistani art.
In terms of fashion, watch this space as I am working on Bridal Fashion Week in June 2013. This will be different to all of the other bridal fashion shows emerging and offer a unique take on bridal wear.
Pakistan Fashion week is a one of a kind show which encompasses so much and is so diverse.
What do you think of the British Asian Fashion scene?
It isn’t as great as it should be, however since conducting Pakistan Fashion Week over the last 3 years we have started to set a bar which has raised the standard. We have launched over 120 designers in the UK through Pakistan Fashion Week. There are a lot of fashion students who are showcasing
their works now and we are working with more British Asian designers to offer a platform. If you meet my expectations where the collection is coherent and thematic I would like to hear from you. What advice would you give to any aspiring British Asian designers?
My advice would be ‘work with your heart and soul’. Impossible is just a word, it means ‘I am possible.’ Never give up and believe in yourself and your collection, only then you will succeed. Credits
Event produced by: Riwayat LTD (www.riwayat. co.uk) Head stylist: Huma Tahir Make up - Tanya Khan
Photography by Shahid Malik
Supported by : WCOP (World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis) & Lady K Media Partner: ARY Digital
Follow Riwayat on twitter: @PakistanFW
31 | www.asiansuk.com
The Rise of the British Asian Fashion Blogger! British Asian style today is no longer dictated by magazines or the Bollywood industry. A recent generation of British Asian fashion designers, musicians, photographers and film-makers, has created a new hybrid culture, challenging the traditions of both British and South Asian styles for the mainstream. Within this, a new generation of British Asian fashion bloggers have paved the way for trend reporting and style watching. They are dictating how fashion is consumed and approached by Asian fashion conscious individuals internationally. The online platform has offered an opportunity not only to connect with fashion lovers but to also highlight the fashion movement, sweeping British Asian youth culture by storm. As fashion is heavily trend-driven and fashion blogs provide an instant way for individuals to follow and be part of these fast-paced trends, the blogoshepere will have a considerable long-term impact on the consumption of fashion.
a new generation of British Asian fashion bloggers have paved the way for trend reporting and style watching.
The Asian community in the UK is steadily growing with young British Asians developing a new culture that is influential on a global sphere. However, British Asians are highly underrepresented in mainstream media, especially British fashion media. Asian fashion blogs have provided an opportunity to offer a platform for British Asian fashion and an alternative voice. As the Asian fashion scene in Britain is relatively new, Asian fashion blogs are helping to develop and influence the industry, providing opportunities for Asian designers and brands to connect with a global audience. Designers and brands have recently realised that fashion bloggers have real influence -- and that street style blogs can really drive people to buy their clothes. As a result, fashion blogs are increasingly becoming a part of the mainstream fashion
32 | www.asiansuk.com
press and are often far more influential than traditional marketing routes.
more influential than traditional marketing routes.
Nazma, the founder of Asian Fashion Blog began her site in 2007 sharing her experiences as a newly engaged bride-to-be. She said ‘after reading all the Asian bridal magazines cover-to-cover I was still in search of more Asian fashion inspiration so I started looking online. I was really disappointed with what I found – most of the stores in the UK had either no web presence at all, or static websites which didn’t showcase their latest collections. As I visited wedding exhibitions and fashion shows, I found I’d built up quite a collection of Asian fashion images, notes on different stores and lots of inspiration; rather than keeping all
this knowledge to myself, I decided to share it online and that’s how Asian Fashion Blog started.’ Nazma has the ability to relate to the general population of ordinary young British Asian women and refers to herself as a ‘fashion spectator’ making no claims to be an expert. Her experience as a British Asian young woman who enjoys fashion is highly valued by her followers who want the latest style and trend advice. On the other hand, Nina Patel has approached her blog ‘The Asian Fashion Journal’ from a completely different angle and provides more of a fashion ‘expert’ perspective. Nina said ‘I work as a high street designer so have always had an interest in fashion and as a regular traveller to India I was excited to discover exciting new Indian labels on each visit. So I started the blog as a place to share and promote the work of these talented designers’. When asked about her perspective on British Asian fashion, Nina replied ‘the Brit-Asian
UK Asian fashion is able to enter into a global sphere with a realistic street perspective on UK Asian style and trends.
man behind Pakistan Fashion Week London commented on the contributions British Asian fashion bloggers are making in the industry; ‘I always say bloggers are the new journalists, bloggers from all over the world have been very supportive and I would like to thank them all including British Asian bloggers as they have played a major role in raising awareness of UK Asian fashion.’ It is clear that fashion blogging is a trend that will continue and Asian fashion bloggers are definitely ones to watch out for!
fashion scene is really dated compared to what’s going on in India but things are slowly changing. There are more Indian designer boutiques in London than ever before that sell real Indian designer wear instead of poor quality imitations that are found in Southall and Wembley.’ Nina’s blog is a high fashion perspective on international Asian fashion trends. Nina has also been approached by Vogue India’s Digital Editor to become a guest blogger for their site. Her blogs are witty and engaging and offer an insight into the fashion world.
Fashion blogs are not exclusively for women Fashion blogs are not exclusively for women; with a growing platform for men interested in South Asian fashion also blogging. ‘Singh Street Style’ is a street fashion blog founded by Pardeep Singh Bahra. Pardeep is a photographer and stylist based in London. Singh Street Style is a fashion blog which focuses on Sikh turbaned men in London. Pardeep said ‘Aside for the fact that I started this partially because I love fashion and photography, I also wanted to
33 | www.asiansuk.com
give Sikh turbaned men a fair representation in the world of fashion and style. I want to ‘normalise’ the image of the turban and beard. Lately for the past few years, the image of the turban and beard links in to negative ideas. However, through these images I want to show people with turbans and beards are just normal men who live their lives and have normal jobs.’ Instead of loose fitting clothing, the Sikh men featured in Singh Street Style blog tend to wear slim-fitted, sometimes even skinny-fitted clothing, which people rarely associate with Sikh men. Through his blog, Pardeep has managed to challenge the stereotypes of Sikh men and as a result has been featured in mainstream publications including Vogue, The Guardian Newspaper, New York Daily Newspaper, Microsoft MSN and Menswearstyle.
Asian fashion blogging is steadily on the rise and there are some fantastic bloggers offering great insights into the industry, helping British Asian fashion to grow and develop. The value fashion bloggers offer to the development of the UK Asian fashion scene is immeasurable. Through an online platform, UK Asian fashion is able to enter into a global sphere with a realistic street perspective on UK Asian style and trends. Adnan Ansari, the
Featured British Asian Fashion blogs: The Asian Fashion Journal: theasianfashionjournal.com Twitter: @theasianfashion
Singh Street Style: singhstreetstyle.com Twitter: @SinghStStyle
The Asian Fashion Blog: asianfashionblog.co.uk Twitter: @nazma_afb
A Pertinent Issue
Bone Marrow Transplantation By Dr K.Z Aabideen What is bone marrow transplantation? A stem cell transplant or a bone marrow transplant is a method of treatment that replaces damaged bone marrow with healthier bone marrow stem cells taken from donors. It is a potential cure for some of the blood cancers and diseases related to blood like primary Immunodeficiency diseases.
It is a potential cure for some of the blood cancers and diseases related to blood Why should more South Asians register as potential bone marrow stem cell donors? Less than 4% of potential donors listed on the UK register are from South Asian Communities.
The ‘markers’ that are tested when searching for a suitable bone marrow stem cell donor are transferred through birth and often unique to a particular race. Therefore, a patient in need of a bone marrow transplant is more likely to discover a suitable donor within their race. For example, a South Asian patient has the best chance of finding a donor within his or her own ethnic community. Currently: 1. The number of registered South Asian donors registered as bone marrow donors within the UK is nominal compared to the need – many more lives could be saved. 2. Less than 4% of potential donors listed on the UK register are from South Asian Communities.
34 | www.asiansuk.com
3. In the US, out of 10.5 million registered marrow donors, only 2% are South Asian. The main reason for the lack of registrations from the South Asian community is due to lack of awareness and misconception about bone marrow stem cell transplantation and stem cell donation.
To be a bone marrow donor, a person should be between 18 and 60 years old and in good health. You can register to become a stem cell donor at the following websites: 1.Delete blood cancer register www.deletebloodcancer.org.uk 2.Anthony Nolan’s Register www.anthonynolan.org 3.British bone marrow registry www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/bonemarrow
Bone marrow transplantation explained A misconception is ‘surgery is required for stem cell donation’ however this is very rarely true. There is a very safe method for collecting bone marrow stem cells without surgery which is available in every Centre. This is called peripheral stem cell collection and is actually the procedure that is most frequently used in over 80% of cases. It involves collecting bone marrow stem cells from the blood using a method that is similar to usual blood donation. It is an outpatient procedure that does not involve the use of anesthesia or surgery. There are no long-term effects of the procedure as the body starts to generate new bone marrow stem cells immediately.
Register today and you could save a life! Registering to become a stem cell donor is very simple. Register online and you’ll be sent a kit through the post, and then all you need to do is rub the cotton swab inside your cheek and return. Rest assured your details will be confidential and you can decline from bone marrow stem cells donation at any time. It is very unlikely you will be called for bone marrow stem cell donation as the chance of you becoming a match for another person is very low (1 in 10000 potential donors).
Mandy Sanghera is actively supporting Rhiane’s Kick-Out Child Cancer Campaign, raising funds for cancer research and awareness around related issues. She commented; cancer does not discriminate it doesn’t care about age sex colour or religion. It has been fantastic to see the whole of the Asian community come together for a good cause. I wish that this campaign can leave a lasting legacy regarding community relations
If you register yourself as a potential stem cell donor, you could save a life.
and this emotional journey has been a step in the right direction.’ If you register yourself as a potential stem cell donor, you could save a life. You might be the only person in the world who is a match for a patient with a life-threatening illness. It could be one of the most important and rewarding steps you ever take – Go For It!
Dr K.Z Aabideen; a paediatric bone marrow transplant fellow at Great North Children’s Hospital Newcastle in the UK. Dr K.Z Aabideen is happy to attend and support activities please contact via email: abidcmc@gmail.com
“...And Then She Opened a Can of Worms!” The new Asian chick-lit on the block! What happens when you finally get your dream of having a hit T.V. show but the celebrations are cut short?
About the Author:
This is the predicament London based writer Mandy Dhillon has found herself in... Finally she has the popular T.V series but once it’s picked up by an overseas franchise channel, her family back in India soon identify the less-than-likeable characters such as the superficial socialite, the shrew-like journalist and the gay-about-town cafe owner has based on none other than them. Arghhhhh!!! Time to put that bottle of champagne away, methinks!
Sitting on a plane bound for New Delhi for her best friend’s wedding, the time had arrived to face the family. The long overdue confrontation had finally come. But wait, a handsome stranger???
Whatever happens, this trip to India shall be far from dull!
Intrigued? In the book, Mandy is joined by her brother Bikram who is living in the closet with a handsome Norwegian Diplomat but has to fend off the advances of a very persistent socialite who loves her botox and cannot seem to take no for an answer; her beautiful cousin Dinky who is sick of Mandy judging her lifestyle choice; and Kiri, her sharp-tongued aunt who loves her daily fix of Magellan...the Gin, not the explorer! The story is told from all four perspectives and when the time for confrontation comes, the reasons for Mandy’s actions open up old wounds which she would rather forget!
Get your copy! Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/
Review, Interview and book signing opportunities please contact: AsiansUK: shazana@asiansuk.com
Keep Posted:
Twitter: ARQuar82 or stalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ AnureetRandhawaNovel
Born in New Delhi and living in London for the past eight years, A.R. Quar is a fashion and print designer by profession. Born a naval brat with a passion for travel and all things creative, she finally decided to put pen to paper (or type away on her laptop to be more precise!) and write the novel she has been talking about. She recently crossed out one off her bucket list by doing a few stand-up comedy gigs where she risked being pelted with what she hoped were fresh as opposed to rotten tomatoes. Besides her love for Avicii and Icona Pop, she is movie buff especially of world cinema and the thriller genre, she can spend all day talking about this subject.
...And then she opened a can of worms! A tantalising combination of humourand drama, with of course a desi sprinkle of romance. This riveting work of fiction coupled by charactersthat many can identify with is a must-read.
Come let’s smoothly unravel a tale of life, love and the pursuit of happiness .
35 | www.asiansuk.com
feel free to give her a shout- she doesn’t bite and is actually very, very nice
The Journey of Finding a
Life Partner plenty of time for your career and other commitments.
Chemistry: When you meet a new person, chemistry is very important. Watch out for the
spark when you are first introduced to
a new person. If the spark is there, then
everything else will follow. Remember,
you have to live with this person for the
rest of your life and it is essential that you
marriages are about 80% love and 20% compromise Through my experience of successfully playing Cupid and helping people find suitable lifelong companions, I have
compiled a few strategies which I hope
you will find useful when embarking on your own journey to find a life partner. They are as follows:
settling down is a priority
Commit yourself to the cause: Once you have decided that you are ready to settle, commit yourself to finding a
partner. This involves prioritising your
life and commitments around your search for the next few months to a year. You
need to remember that settling down is a priority too and once you settle down with the right partner you will have
36 | www.asiansuk.com
feel attracted towards him or her.
Compatibility:
This is one of the main tenets of a married life. Make sure you make some time
to know your prospective life partner in advance. This will give you an idea
whether your beliefs and value systems
You can connect to people via dating
websites, through family, through chat or through marriage bureaus. Remember,
not everyone on a matrimonial or dating website is genuine and there are often
people out there who are just there for
having fun. If you are genuinely looking
to meet the right person and settle down, register with a marriage bureau service or actively meet people through your
friends and family. By doing this, you will be assured that you are connecting with real people and not just people in the virtual world.
Last but not the least, enjoy your journey. Don’t make it a chore and take hasty
decisions. However at the same time if
you like a person; don’t take too long to
enjoy your journey say the three golden words.
Hetvi Parekh is a qualified social worker
are compatible or not. Compatibility
residing in the UK. She has recently
complement each other.
With her background in psychology and
necessarily doesn’t mean having similar
started her own marriage bureau free
Compromise:
her own experiences of finding a life
Be aware of your limitations and try to
families throughout the world connect
person than the superficial qualities.
Remember beauty is only skin deep and
You can contact her on
flexible. I believe that marriages are
about 80% love and 20% compromise and
or visit her website
tastes; it exists when two people
of cost to get Gujarati singles together.
partner, she aims to help people and
look at the intrinsic good qualities of a
with each other.
it is essential that you are adaptable and
contact@hetviparekh.com
hence do not hesitate to compromise on
www.hetviparekh.com
some issues.
Connect and communicate:
https://www.facebook.com/ HPMatrimony https://twitter.com/HPMatrimony
Jinn and Britain’s Backstreet Exorcists The taboo subject of Jinn is prevalent in Britain’s back street Asian communities and medical staff, psychiatrists and the criminal justice system are increasingly dealing with issues surrounding the belief in spiritual possession. A recent investigation has found that exorcisms are being performed on Asians across the UK as a method of treatment for mental illnesses such as bi-polar disease, epilepsy and schizophrenia.
a method of treatment for mental illnesses
A large number of ‘healers’ have been known to charge thousands of pounds a session to remove evil spirits from bodies believed to be possessed.
An exorcism is the religious practice of evicting demons or other spiritual entities from a person which they are believed to have possessed. The evil spirit, commonly known as bad Jinn in Muslim Asian communities is removed by a healer who recites passages from the Qur’an. However, this issue affects also affects Hindu’s and Sikh’s who tend to refer to Jinn as Jadoo or black magic and similarly perform exorcism rituals. In 2009 a high profile case in Birmingham threw light on the issue of Jinn possession in Asian communities. A husband and his parents were jailed for life for the murder of his pregnant wife as they held her down and suffocated her because they thought she was ‘possessed’. In the trial it was revealed that leading up to the murder a spiritual healer read passages from the Qur’an to eradicate the Jinn from the family home. This case highlighted the issue of the dangers surrounding possession. Neeraj was also a victim of Jinn possession and backstreet healers she said ‘I used to hear voices and I refused to seek medical help. One day at the mosque
37 | www.asiansuk.com
I met a friend who introduced me to a peer. I was told that I had bad spirits and I paid £1200 for the sprit to be removed, but this did not work and I became very depressed. I am still rebuilding my life. I lost everything my home, marriage and I no longer see my children.’
many Asians are too scared to report these fake healers
Mandy Sanghera works locally and nationally to campaign against forced marriages and honour violence. She has extensive experience in matters related to possession in Asian communities and commented, ‘many Asians are too scared to report these fake healers, as they believe that a spell may be put on them or their family. Desperate people will do desperate things; this doesn’t mean others have the right to exploit them.’
more acceptable to be possessed than to have a mental illness
One of the barriers to dealing with the issue of ‘fake healers’ is due to the fact many are often protected by the same community they abuse. Mandy Sanghera said ‘many vulnerable and desperate Asian families are paying thousands of pounds to fake ‘healers’ because it’s more acceptable to be possessed than to have a mental illness. Hundreds of Asians are operating as healers and removing evil spirits from bodies believed to be possessed. It is about time we stood up such out of date practices’. By Mandy Sanghera Twitter @Mandy _Sanghera1
Bringing Bollywood to the UK Faraz Khan
Birmingham born and bred Faraz Khan’s passion for dance and
his experiences and said ‘it was wonderful being part of the
stage with many celebrities including the likes of esteemed
Boxing Star. The rehearsals took place at the stars own gym
entertaining has secured him international stardom. Faraz
has performed in over 3000 international shows sharing the Bollywood actors Shahrukh Khan, Shakti Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Ranveer at Videocon Bollywood Night. He has
also worked with highly acclaimed international singers such
as Atif Aslam, Sherya Ghoshal and many major Bhangra Stars. Faraz has choreographed numerous major shows across the
UK and Europe including; Hollands Mega Bollywood Festival
with Shahrukh Khan, Atif Aslam Concert, Shreya Ghoshal Live
in Concert, Mohmamed Rafi Night UK tour, Birmingham Indoor Mela and Signature Mela With B4U to name a few.
I grew up watching Shahrukh on screen and then performing with him was a dream come true
Recently Faraz choreographed the entertainment at renowned boxer Amir Khan’s wedding celebrations. He commented on
38 | www.asiansuk.com
Mehndi and Walima. I enjoyed teaching Amir and his family
dancing and putting together suitable dance routines for the and then at his family home. Everyone had so much fun and enjoyed the evening. Following the Mehndi it was a great honour for me to be invited to perform at the Walima.’
This was of course an exceptional honour, however for Faraz the most memorable moment on stage was performing with Bollywood Actor Shahrukh Khan, at the Incredible India
show. He said ‘it was very exciting because I grew up watching Shahrukh on screen and then performing with him was a dream come true!’
Faraz had vocal training from his uncle Mehboob Chohan who was a Bollywood playback singer during the 80s and 90’s.
Mehboob Chohan was the student of late bollywood legend
Mohammed Rafi Saab. Faraz said ‘I love to sing and used to
watch my uncle sing, I had some very memorable lessons from him. I call that time of my life “The Nursery Years” watching him sing and learning from him. As years went by and I was
growing up I started to learn other things such as dancing and then years after that came the hosting and then the acting.
My uncle has always supported me and has always told me to practice, as practice makes perfect.’
As an Entertainer my inspiration has come from the likes of the legend Michael Jackson
When asked who inspires him, Faraz replied, ‘firstly, my father and mother who are my biggest inspirations as they taught me how to keep my feet firmly on the ground. As an Entertainer my inspiration has come from the likes of the legend Michael Jackson. I remember watching one of his concerts on TV for the first time whilst I was admitted into hospital at the age
of 6. I was undergoing treatment for asthma and I remember getting out of bed and copying him. There are many others who inspire me and I have taken and learnt a bit from all of them for example; Dilip Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh
Bachchan, Micheal Jackson, Elvis Presley, James Brown and
‘I set up The Bollywood Academy for people who wish to pursue a career in the Bollywood performing arts
Fred Astair. Watching them and learning from them made Faraz Khan.’
In the UK Faraz Khan is a recognised entrepreneur for his esteemed and award winning Bollywood Academy. The
Bollywood Academy was the first of its kind, being the largest Bollywood Dance School which has its very own Film Studio and production house. Faraz states ‘I set up The Bollywood Academy for people who wish to pursue a career in the
Bollywood performing arts. When I was growing up there weren’t many institutes that taught the Bollywood style of
acting and dancing. Even at University I had to study Drama and it was all the western style of Acting and dancing. So I
looked around for academies that specialise in Bollywood and didn’t find any at all in the UK. That is how the concept of The Bollywood Academy came to my mind.’
Following the success of the Birmingham Bollywood Academy, Faraz went on to setup Bollywood Academies in London,
Germany and Holland and has plans to expand further. The
Bollywood Academy offers the opportunity to learn any type
of dance from contemporary to Bollywood dancing, as well as the opportunity to learn to sing; as a hobby or profession.
Surround yourself with positive people who are supportive of what you do and the skies the limit
Faraz launched his biography “The First Chapter” in
Germany. The book is an inspirational account of Faraz’s
experiences and aims to encourage all those who want to
follow his success and fulfil their dreams as dancers ‘I spent
6 months writing my book; The First Chapter. It was amazing writing this biography which gives an insight to my life and my achievements to date. The book has pictures from my
childhood, description of my struggles and my success and
also testimonies from fans and people who have worked with me.’
Faraz is role model for those who wish to enter the
entertainment industry. His success continues with new
projects in the pipeline, including a fitness dvd and The Shah Rukh Khan Tour and musicals in the UK and abroad.
‘Work hard and if you are dedicated and patient you will
eventually succeed. It’s not all plain sailing, be prepared to face setbacks and people who will criticise your work and
achievements; it’s how you handle this that will determine
how successful you become. Surround yourself with positive people who are supportive of what you do and the skies the limit.’
39 | www.asiansuk.com
In Conversation with
Entrepreneur and
Entertainer Avina Shah
Known for her melodious voice and founder of the reputable Asian beauty brand ‘Faces by Avina’, Avina Shah is making waves in the fields of media and entertainment. We were able to get the lowdown on music and make up from this multitalented artist. At such a young age you have developed a successful career in both business as a Make Up Artist and entertainment as a Singer and Performer. How have you managed to balance both careers? Hard work, determination and a solid focus to deliver my very best has allowed me to progress in both fields steadily over the years. I started my makeup career very early at the age of 12. Over the years I’ve been able to build that into a strong business by also training other aspiring makeup artists so they too can manage a lot of the company’s bookings and work to the same standard that I do.
40 | www.asiansuk.com
Hard work, determination and a solid focus to deliver my very best has allowed me to progress
As a singer I am part of an international entertainment agency called Eastern Illusion, which allows me to work with a team of people including my manager, choreographers, producers and songwriters who help me to stay focused and develop myself further as a performer and artist. Do you feel your experience in make-up artistry has helped you develop your style and image as a performer?
Most definitely, I am a very creative person and love exploring new ideas and experiment creating new looks. As a performer, image is everything and I like to inject some makeup creativity into my performances, music videos and photo-shoots. Do you style your own videos and photoshoots? If so, where do you get your inspiration from?
I worked with the Faces by Avina team to style my music videos and photoshoots including ‘Tere Bina’, ‘Dil Deewana’ and ‘Aao Na’. I tend to get my inspiration from everything around me, when I least expect it! It can be from anything as simple as watching television, travelling or reading a magazine. More recently I’ve started working with other stylists and fashion designers as I think it’s nice to get a fresh perspective.
What are the biggest challenges you have faced so far and how have you overcome them? The main challenge has been launching as a new female artist in a very male dominated industry. There is certainly room for more female artists in the Asian industry and hopefully with more support from the Asian media we will see more females successfully reaching wider markets. When and how did you discover you had a talent for music and make up artistry?
I started out as a dancer and my first stage performance was when I was 3 years old. Growing up I took part in many stage shows and this helped me to build up experience and stage confidence over the years. Being a very creative child and always doing arts and crafts, I soon discovered my passion for painting which led me to take a professional bridal makeup course in India when I was 12 years old. I think it was the best investment I ever made. Have you always been ambitious and if so, where do you think that ambition came from?
It has definitely been my family’s influence. They have been very supportive and encouraged me to pursue my passions. My family have worked very hard themselves over the years to achieve great success in business and this has taught me the true value of hard work, determination and achievement. What was it like performing at the Rumi Awards 2013 in Las Vegas, what were the highlights?
It was an absolutely incredible experience performing in the entertainment capital of the world - Las Vegas! The immense love, support and cheering from the crowd made it even better. I felt very welcome and appreciated from a brand new audience. It certainly was the perfect finale to 2013. What is your biggest achievement so far, what are you proud of?
The main challenge has been launching as a new female artist in a very male dominated industry My main inspiration for creating music and launching myself as an artist is that I’ve always believed that music can help spread messages and has the power to make a difference. My debut charity song ‘Tere Bina’ aimed to empower listeners going through a bad relationship and raise awareness of the common yet taboo issue of domestic violence.
41 | www.asiansuk.com
The song touched a lot of people’s hearts and I’ve received so many emails and messages from fans expressing how much the song has generated positivity and helped them to overcome a bad time in their life. It makes me proud that all the hard work has been worthwhile and it still continues to spread across the world every day. Do you have any style tips you can share with us?
One thing I’ve learnt recently is that everyone has style - but the art is to know how to flaunt it and be confident with what you wear. Do accessorize, less is more in some cases. Don’t be afraid of colour. Try new looks, have fun and be a little daring at times! What advice would you give to anyone out there who wants to pursue a career in entertainment or fashion? My advice is to adopt an honest, focused and dedicated approach in both industries and certainly be prepared to work very hard. Reputation and recommendations are very important in these industries and any negativity you come across along the way should only be your driving force to want to achieve more. Set yourself challenges and goals to achieve – the key is to aim for great, instead of just good!
What are your future ambitions or goals in both make up artistry and music?
I’ve always believed that music can help spread messages and has the power to make a difference I plan on bringing out some more meaningful songs with a specific message and purpose behind them, as well as support other charitable causes to help make a difference. My next song release tackles another social issue that affects people globally. I will be launching my own range of beauty products and hair extensions range this year, whilst continuing to spread my music across the world and exploring new territories. Watch this space! More on Avina:
www.avinamusic.com www.twitter.com/avinashah
www.facebook.com/avinamusic
Personalised Registration Plates
A Waste of Cash or are they an Investment? Many celebrities are known for their distinguished personalised number plates including the likes of businessman Lord
Alan Sugar who owns AMS 1, magician Paul Daniels who has owned MAG 1C for many years and Roman Abramovitch who is one of the richest men in the world and the alleged new owner of VIP 1. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge drove away from their wedding with a number plate that read JU5T WED and the Queen owns the registration A7. UK Asian celebrities are moving in the same direction with boxing legends Prince Naseem owning NAS 1 and Amir Khan the proud owner of BOX 11NG. In 2012 the UK’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency raised £67m from the sale of personalised number plates alone with last year also showing a very similar picture.
it is not just the rich and famous who buy personalised number plates
Nowhere is the craze for a unique plate more intense than in the oil-rich Persian Gulf nation United Arab Emirates, which holds the world record for the six most expensive plates. The numbers 5 and 7 were bought at $6.75 million and $2.97 million respectively. Saeed Abdul Ghaffar Khouri paid $14.5 million for the private reg Number 1, securing himself and his registration a place in the Guinness World Records. However, it is not just the rich and famous who buy personalised number plates, the business is booming despite the recent economic decline. You may be wondering
42 | www.asiansuk.com
why in this age of austerity when people are pulling back on basic necessities individuals are still investing in number plates. Since
1989, the UK’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has raised over 1.8 billion for the Treasury from its sale of number plates via auctions and their website. The auctions are held around six times a year and consist of on average 1500 handpicked combinations. The interest in private registration plates has increased over the last few years and this could be for a variety of reasons.
Many people buy a private number plate to cover up the age of their vehicle which is definitely the cheaper option rather than buying a new car. Whether you love them or hate them, number plates are investments, whereas a new car will go down in value as soon as you drive it off the forecourt. Private registration plates are also used as a status symbol or to make a statement of individuality for the thousands of drivers who own them. But to the others that don’t they can be viewed as an ostentatious waste of money. In 2008, the growing interest in private
registration number plates from the British Asian community was being noted by the mainstream media. It was reported that car loving British Asians topped a list of drivers paying fortunes for personalised number plates. The priciest was 51 NGH - Singh which went at auction to a mystery buyer at £254,000. Other huge sums paid to the DVLA included £18,000 for AHM 5D (Ahmed). This trend has continued to grow and it is now very common place for British Asians to invest in private number plates as a prestigious car is often seen as incomplete without one. When it comes to personalised number plates, there’s no doubt one London/Yorkshire based
Whether you love them or hate them, number plates are investments
businessman knows his stuff. The C.E.O of world renowned automotive design house, A.Kahn Design, Afzal Kahn has spent a fortune building up one of the most valuable number plate collections in the world. His first number plate KHA 17 was purchased for £700 and four years later he sold the plate for £6,000. It was at that moment Kahn’s passion for number plates turned from a hobby into a business. Today Kahn has amassed over 60 number plates in his ever growing collection, with the value of each plate varying considerably. Kahn reportedly paid $870,000 for the United Kingdom vanity plate F1 and will not disclose how much the number plate is currently worth. The Daily Mail and several
great investment and always will be. I have been in two recessions and everything falls apart from number plates. They are only issued once and you can only get one of a kind.” Examples of the unique prestigious personalised number plates A Kahns Design offer include 180, WED IIN and 00 77.
international media outlets recently reported a multi-million pound offer was rejected out of hand for F1. According to The Daily Mail, Khan refused the offer, with a spokesman explaining that, “Mr. Kahn has no interest in selling F1, which is his favourite plate.” Kahn’s move to purchase the F1 number plate when it went on the market in 2008 was a smart financial decision.
Number plates and marketing go hand in hand
For Kahn his search for unique plates continues, and from a business perspective, he knows the only way is up, “The right number plate makes the right car,” he says. “I believe they are a better investment than property – they only go one way. Number plates are a
43 | www.asiansuk.com
Private registration plates can be likened to a form of automotive jewellery which shows that they are great fun and visually pleasing. They are also used as a marketing tool to raise the profile of businesses. Ravi Soni is managing director of Teas 4 U and I Love Ravi`s Tea Bags. Both companies deal in fairtrade English breakfast tea bags. In April 2012 Ravi purchased the car registration plate TEA 1 for £25,000. Ravi said ‘it was a struggle to find the £25,000 for the number plate but I did borrow on my credit card and pulled in some funds from family and friends. My investment has paid off as the plate is now worth £275,000 and reflects what an investment they can be. I purchased the registration TEA 1 to promote my tea business. So far it has worked well, I get stopped in supermarket car parks by people who want to make enquiries, and I even get interest from people when I’m stuck in traffic. For me, it’s just the best ‘TEA’ registration I could have, as it ends with number one. I don’t think I would sell this plate even if someone offered me £275,000!’ Ravi also owns the personal registration
RAV 159R, which he purchased about eight years ago. He estimates that it could now be worth as much as £10,000. Many of Ravi’s friends and family also have personalised number plates, often used to promote their businesses. ‘Number plates and marketing go hand in hand. With TEA 1, I am guaranteed an audience. Wherever I go, people are interested and curious and often enquire about my tea,’ said Ravi.
Although private registration plates may not be everybody’s cup of tea, one thing is for sure they certainly are an investment and will never go out of fashion. Twitter: AKahn Design and Afzal Kahn on Twitter: @AKAHNDESIGN @afzalkahn Ravi Soni: @HounslowTeaman
The Right Car for the Asian
Professional It is a well-known fact, British Asians love their cars and they are indeed very much viewed as a status symbol. The growing number of Asian professionals in the UK has made this a very profitable target market of individuals who are able to make well informed consumer choices. However, which cars are British Asian professionals choosing and why?
The general consensus amongst the group of Asian professionals we consulted was to drive prestige, luxury brand cars, especially if they maintained a resale value. According to our independent survey, the top five brands British Asian professional drive are Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Range Rover and Lexus.
not only a vehicle but a symbol of prestige and status
Aspirational luxury brands which Asian professionals wish to drive include: Bentley, Jaguar and Rolls Royce. Over the past few years there has been a rise in Asian’s investing in these high end luxury cars as they are seen as not only a vehicle but a symbol of prestige and status, reflecting the success they have achieved.
44 | www.asiansuk.com
beyond compare.’
The Mercedes is synonymous with success so is favoured by the business entrepreneur who wants to showcase their achievements through a reputable branded
British Asians love their cars
So let’s take a look at the top 5 brands and the reasons why they are the preferred vehicle with the added expert opinion of Carl Pickles from A Kahn Design Ltd.
The Mercedes is synonymous with success
Mercedes
The Mercedes has always been the most popular car driven by the South Asian community and continues to remains as popular as ever. An acquisition determined by status and association with a reputable name. Carl states ‘these cars exude class and dependability. In the UK and the US, the Merc is an archetypal luxury car. In mainland Europe though, the Mercedes is most prized for its reliability. The heritage of the brand is
vehicle.
Audi British Asians simply love the Audi for its prestige, sporting image and unique set of extras.
Carl said ‘the Audi brand as a whole has a certain justified swagger. The cars project self-confidence and self-assuredness, which was accentuated when Afzal Kahn chose to apply his famous touch to the Q5 and the TT
models. This is a car for someone who knows what they want and how to get it. The Q5 can fit the family in the back whilst still being stylish enough to be noticed and the Audi TT is an iconic sports car for a reason. The Audi is seen as a more grown up version of BMW. The Audi driver is someone who feels they have matured a little since their BMW-driving days, but still wants German style and power in their drive.’ Asian male professionals have traditionally preferred the Audi as a brand of car due to its sporty look, however females are following suit as the Audi epitomises independence and redefines the image of the Asian woman.
BMW
A plus factor in the choice for choosing a BMW is reliability. With a BMW what you see is what you get and that is why it is a trusted vehicle chosen by Asians.
British Asians simply love the Audi
Carl said ‘You really can’t mistake the product of the Bayerische Motoren Werke AG. If you want a mid-range luxury vehicle with a bit of style, the Munich marque is the one for you. The 3, 5 and 7 series saloons are excellent vehicles - just the right amount of luxury and style without being too ostentatious. The BMW 750 being the car of choice in the James Bond film, Tomorrow Never Dies, didn’t exactly hurt the brand’s credibility. The Z Series and the estate versions of all models are very well perceived as well as being superb examples of German engineering.’ The BMW 3, 5 and Z Series are aimed at the younger professional who likes a car with style and power. The 7 Series is for older professionals who have fallen in love with the brand and can’t see themselves driving anything else.
Range Rover
This is a car that commands attention and is driven by those who want to be noticed. With the Range Rover, you can expect distinguished luxury; the vehicle itself is so high up ensuring the driver inevitably looks down on the cars below.
Range Rover is now perceived as the new glamour car for women 45 | www.asiansuk.com
Carl said: The Range Rover is an icon of the British motor industry. In terms of recommendations, there can be none higher than this vehicle being the one preferred by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II when up at Balmoral. This is a car that can go anywhere and do anything the driver sets their mind to, and does it with a level of style unmatched by any other 4x4. If you’re in the market for an upmarket 4x4, there’s really only one choice. It also happens to be A Kahn Design Ltd’s top seller. The Range Rover is a confident vehicle. A real statement of intent, designed for the man or woman who has achieved, through success, the lifestyle they have always wanted. It’s a car for a dreamer who has achieved their dream through hard work.’
With a BMW what you see is what you get
As this vehicle is synonymous to footballer’s wives and celebrities such as the Kardashians and Victoria Beckham, the Range Rover is now perceived as the new glamour car for women. In 2012 the Range Rover Evoque won Women’s World Car of the Year and took home top honours after women motoring writers from 12 different countries chimed in with their votes.
Lexus This brand is a definite competitor against other cars preferred by Asian professionals as it is deemed as a luxury brand quality vehicle. Carl said, ‘the Lexus is a safe choice. The IS 300h model has just been rated as best in its class for safety by Euro NCAP. Their cars are comfortable, luxurious and reliable, as you would expect from Toyota’s luxury division.’
The Lexus owner is the Asian chairman of the board, an executive who values reliability and elegance.
the Lexus is a safe choice
Choosing the right car to suit your image is a challenge. We all know first impressions count and whichever of these luxury brands you choose, you will be sure to portray the right impression! Follow AKahn Design and Afzal Kahn on Twitter: @AKAHNDESIGN @afzalkahn
Inspiring Change in County Cricket Mr Shahid Sheikh OBE
Over 20 years ago the Conservative politician Norman Tebbit proposed his infamous cricket test. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times in April 1990, Tebbit, then an MP representing Chingford, declared “A large proportion of Britain’s Asian population fail to pass the cricket test. Which side do they cheer for? It’s an interesting test. Are you still harking back to where you came from or where you are?” He declared that Britons of South Asian descent should support England’s national cricket team as a sign of integration and loyalty to their adopted country. However there have since been some radical changes with the rise of British Asians moving into the sphere of mainstream cricket. The fact that both professional and recreational cricket is becoming more multiracial is undeniable. Although integration is happening, progress has been patchy. This has been slowed down by old-school league officials or clubs with little interest in change,
Although integration is happening, progress has been patchy coupled with the fact that many cricketers of Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan heritage still play occasional cricket in Sunday park leagues, where there are no opportunities to progress.
Two years from its centenary, the Club Cricket Conference has the chance to re-establish itself as a driving force in England’s club network. It has been asked to act as a catalyst to persuade South Asian park cricket to become more mainstream and to rejuvenate
46 | www.asiansuk.com
the county boards, run largely by white middle-class men, to the untapped potential on their doorstep. The challenge is to find Asian community leaders who can influence the county cricket board and the informal South Asian cricketers towards change and this will increase the pace of integration. An inspirational Community Leader has been found in Leicestershire with Shahid Sheikh (OBE) an entrepreneur and Cultural Ambassador to Leicestershire County Cricket Club. Shahid is the first person in county cricket to be honoured with this title. We were able to catch up with Shahid and find out more about his experiences working with a County Cricket Club.
Being the first person honoured with the title of Cultural Ambassador 2007 to Leicestershire County Cricket Club as well as the first Asian Board Director in the History of Leicestershire County Cricket Club in 2010 is quite an achievement, how does that make you feel?
It was a great honour indeed and knowing that I was the first makes it even more special. Also it was a positive forward thinking cultural shift for the Cricket Club to recognise the need for Asian representation at the club.
You were also recently awarded an OBE from Her Majesty the Queen, what was that experience like and how did it feel? I was totally overwhelmed followed by shock; it was one of the happiest moments of my life. To know that you have been recognised at the highest level for your contributions to business and charity makes everything that you have always strived to achieve feel even more special and worthwhile. How did you initially get involved with Leicestershire County Cricket Club?
Back in 2006, the Pakistan International cricket team were on tour in the UK and were playing a 3 day friendly game. I had the opportunity to sponsor the match and did. I was hooked from then on and became fully involved with Cricket.
need for Asian representation at the club
Has there been an increase in the participation of Asians in British Cricket and what do you feel the take up has been like?
Asians have and always will be involved in grass roots cricket, it’s almost become part of our heritage. The issue is progressing at higher levels and the change in this direction has been surprisingly slow. However since the growth of Twenty20 cricket we are beginning to see more Asians progressing at higher levels. Cricketers now have an opportunity to earn more money than ever before, so the journey is financially more worthwhile than in the previous years. What needs to happen to ensure there is a sustained integration of Asians in cricket? Grass roots cricket is always going to be there, the fundamental change which needs to happen is the closer bonding of the County Clubs with the park and cricket leagues along
with more talent scouts from the Counties. The association with the main County Club is always going to be the key to any chance of sustained integration.
What are your thoughts on Norman Tebbit’s cricket test? Do you think British Asians should support the England cricket team first and foremost? Surely this is nothing more than a matter of choice - sport is neutral and what happens on the field stays on the field. There is no room for politics or racism in sport. However it goes without saying that if there were more British Asians representing England then they could become role models to the Asian youth of today. What are you aiming to achieve as part of your role with Leicestershire County Cricket Club?
47 | www.asiansuk.com
For far too long the growing Asian community of Leicestershire has been very apprehensive to getting involved with the County Cricket Club. Financial support to the Club is of paramount importance so hopefully we will see Asian businesses contributing more by way of sponsorship. Ultimately this involvement leads to the development of the club as a whole. As it is a members club and not owned by any individual, all contributions are a pathway to the community, the youth and future success. In the past, Asians generally felt unwelcome at County cricket clubs but with great efforts being made by all clubs and notably the ECB, the doors have been shown to be well and truly open to all. Now more than ever before it is time for Asians to embrace and become a part of the county club programmes.
if there were more British Asians representing England then they could become role models
What are the future possibilities for Asians in cricket? We have had Saj Mahmood who has been extremely successful in setting a clear path for
other Asians to follow, and then there is Monty Panesar who has never given up in his quest to play for England. At LCCC we have Shiv Thakor and Jigar Naik who have worked exceptionally hard to reach where they have and hopefully will go on to achieve even more. These players and many more are all ambassadors and role models setting examples for others to follow. Life is never easy as each day is a new day; however there are many new opportunities on the horizons for Asians in cricket.
Asians in Sport with Jas Jassal
The Asian Cricket Awards is a celebration of British Asians in the world of Cricket. This is an award ceremony which aims to reward those that have given so much to the game and a platform for future British Asian cricket stars.
Jas Jassal has been working tirelessly as Vice-Chair of the
Concorde Rangers FC in Middlesex for over ten years, using the power of football to encourage youngsters from all
communities to embrace the positive values associated with sport and now he has also turned his attention to cricket.
As a supporter of the Asian Cricket Awards, Jas is certainly passionate about raising the profile of Asians in cricket.
Asians in cricket is a major success story
Why should we celebrate the successes of Asians in Cricket? Asians in cricket is a major success story. You have role models from grassroots to the professional game in every aspect
of the industry. I believe it is a celebration of the successful integration of the Asian community, one that the governing bodies of cricket can be very proud of.
What is being done to improve the number of Asians taking up cricket on a professional level? In cricket there is a vibrant grassroots community with a high number of Asians involved. The governing bodies of sport
allows me to increase my knowledge and experience within the sector. I can then offer even more support.
What did it feel like to be an Olympic torchbearer? It was an amazing once in a lifetime experience. To be able to represent my nation on the eve of the greatest sporting show
on earth was overwhelming and very humbling. It was one of the most significant moments of my life.
You were just awarded a New Year British Empire Medal from the Queen, how did that feel? It is a great honour to be recognised for charity and
community work that I’m absolutely passionate about. As mentioned I believe this honour is not just about me, but
also recognises the efforts and achievements of my fellow
volunteers, who have been dedicated and committed to the
cause and I am very proud to be able to share this award with all of them.
Can you tell us about any future sport related projects you are working on?
community immensely over the coming years.
What are your long term ambitions through sport?
It is a great honour to be recognised for charity and community work
My long term ambition is to continue to provide education in
Relief, delivering Asian Bone Marrow recruitment drives to
are continually bridging the gaps between grassroots and
professional and this will lead to greater opportunities. It’s a very positive situation and one that will benefit the Asian
sports for the younger generation. I would also like to engage
under-represented communities in sports through developing new opportunities within the sports industry, setting standards along the way.
You are involved with numerous charities; why is this important to you and has it impacted the work you are currently involved in? The best part of my life is being able to help and support
charities. I believe it brings out the best qualities in me and
48 | www.asiansuk.com
I am continuing with my charity work in 2014 with Sport
keep momentum going and more peace day football matches marked on September 21st 2014. I am also working on
providing more developmental opportunities for the Concorde Rangers players, referee and coaches and supporting the
development of the West Middlesex and Hayes Youth League.
I will continue to work on the inaugural Asian Cricket Awards and look forward to seeing more developments in the sport from the British Asian community in the near future.
Follow Jas Jassal on Twitter: @JasJassal01
Subscribe to AsiansUK Magazine 4 issues for just ÂŁ12.64
SAVE 20% off the cover price GREAT REASONS TO SUBSCRIBE 33
SAVE 20% off the cover price
33
Delivered FREE direct to your door
33
Hassle FREE
33
Never Miss an issue
33
Bringing you the best of British Asians business, lifestyle, entertainment and sport
33
A thoughtful gift to friends or family (Be sure to give the name and address of recipient)
Subscribe Today: Call: 0845 647 1994 Online: www.asiansuk.com Email: admin@asiansuk.com 49 | www.asiansuk.com
Most People HOPE They Will be Better Off Financially in 12 Months Time. Why Not Make Your Future a Certainty? UK Company with Global Reach Seeking Entrepreneurs Who Want to Work From Home Promoting a ‘Life-Changing’ Product.
Build a Monthly Residual Income and Enjoy The Lifestyle of Your Dreams in 2 to 5 Years, find out how! Call for business information and Free Product Sample
UNICEF and The World Health Organisation studies show alarming mineral deficiency in modern food and soil which is detrimental to health and beauty.
0800 088 6033 Dr David McCollum Champion BodyBuilder & Nutrition Expert
Assist the aversion of diseases such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes, skin problems, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, alzheimer’s and strokes to name a few...
"I’ve seen miraculous results in my clients"
50 | www.asiansuk.com
PLEASE QUOTE REF AB-25