2008 was an incredible event which highlighted just how far the Scottish Asian Business Awards had come; in such a short time. Held at the Crowne Plaza in Glasgow, on the 27th November 2008, the winners included a veritable array of talent in their chosen categories:
Young Achiever of the Year: Mr. Arif Hanif
The winner of the 2008 Scottish Asian Business Awards Young Achiever of the Year Award was a Glasgow based entrepreneur with business interests spanning Pharmacy, Construction, Property and the fast food sector. Arif Hanif is also the Managing Director of thriving construction and Property Company, the HRI Group, and Co-founder of Deans Pharmacy. He has also been instrumental in the set up of the Tryangle Group, who own and operate the Chicken Cottage brand in Scotland – Chicken Cottage currently have 6 restaurants with a target of a further 20 in the next 5 years.
Small Business of the Year: Stalks and Stems, Mrs Kazena Khan
This award went to the Glasgow based Designer Florist, who started the family business in 1999 which subsequently turned into an established, and essential community shop run by husband and wife.
Business of the Year: Quiz Clothing
Quiz clothing is a fashion retail group that focuses on delivering catwalk style looks and all the latest trends at value for money prices.
This fast, flexible supply chain, together with the winning formula of style, quality, value and service has enabled them to grow rapidly into a nationwide retailer with over 50 stores.
Businessman of the Year: Imrand Khand – CEO and co-founder of Picsel Technologies
This was a very deserving winner as Imrand Khand is a highly experienced technology entrepreneur, having established two successful technology companies, prior to co-founding Picsel Technologies in 1998.
Businesswomen of the Year: Summera Shaheen of the Diamond Studios
The winner of this award was the the Managing Director of the highly successful bespoke jeweler in the Argyll Arcade. this lady has shown her strength of character and resolve in propelling an exemplary business forward.
Furthermore, The Diamond Studios has strong business ethnics. Thus, Summera Shaheen continues her work as Director of Faith in Community (Scotland), an organization committed to anti-poverty.
Community Award: Dilawer Singh
Dlawer Singh is a gentleman who was the first Officer to join the Police Service from Black and Ethnic Community in Scotland. He has Chaired SEMPERscotland, supporting Ethnic Minority Police Staff for Equality in Race for all 8 Scottish Forces. He was also instrumental in setting up the unique Scottish Asian Sports Association, now the Scottish Ethnic Minority Sports Association – SEMSA.
In 2007 he was a integral member of Glasgow’s 2014 Commonwealth Games Bid Team who tirelessly campaigned and promoted for Glasgow to host the 2014 Games – a campaign which came to fruition on the momentous day of November 9th as Glasgow were announced as the host city.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Mr Mohammad Ramzan
A gentleman whose successes have spanned three decades – from opening his first grocery store in 1975 with a turnover averaging £4500 per week to 2008 where a Cash and Carry empire has grown from the one original store and has a projected £91 million annual turnover.
Over the years this gentleman been involved in a wide range of community activities and projects; helping organise numerous social and charitable events; Director of the Ethnic Minority Enterprise Centre; honorary investment councillor to the Pakistan Government; founding the Helping Hands Trust in his own Home District, Toba Teksingh, in Pakistan – a charity that funds the treatment of life-threatening diseases – providing vital healthcare for the community; to name but a few.
Entrepreneur of the Year: Mr Azeem Ibrahim
Another great winner who is a Glasgow-born gentleman that has been described by his peers as a brilliant young scholar, financial wizard, gifted entrepreneur, and by the Dow Jones Wealth Bulletin as "having the perfect profile for a 21st century entrepreneur". A self-made multi-millionaire and one of the wealthiest young people in Britain – inaugurated into The Sunday Times Scots’ Rich List in 2007 at the age of just 31.
