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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th February 2015
Mr Ashok Lakhani, CEO Kolak Snack Foods Ltd
Ashok Lakhani founded Kolak in 1984 with his brother Bharat. Ashok met with senior executives from Swiss based snacks specialist Zweifel Pomy-Chips AG at the first European Cable and Satellite Convention and the seeds of an idea were sewn. A commercial agreement was later signed with the company and Kolak Snack Foods Limited was born. Ashok is a founding member, Chairman & CEO of Kolak Snack Foods Limited and continues to shape the future of the business with fellow board members Bharat and Rikin. 1 What is your current position? I am Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Kolak Snack Foods. 2 What are your proudest achievements? This has been a successful year and we have created an additional 250 jobs in the Park Royal Industrial Estate. At the prestigious West London Business awards Kolak Snack Foods won the top award of “Overall Business of the year” for the second year running and also won” Park Royal Business of the Year “along with two other awards. Our business has been identified and nominated as one of the top European Growth Companies by Europe’s 500 Job Creating Companies. Kolak has been named in The Grocer's 50 fastest-growing privately owned food and drink companies. I am very proud of
and in developing the new business that came with it.
my team and that we are a family business who retains family values. We are happy with our continued progress, especially in such a tough economic climate. 3 What inspires you? People – my career has allowed me to meet people from all over the world, all types of circles & backgrounds. The number of different conversations and people I’ve met over the years has provided continuous inspiration. 4 What has been the biggest obstacle in your career? There were a lot of people who said it could not be done. Bharat and I wanted to prove them wrong and we didn’t want to accept defeat. We sacrificed a lot of blood, sweat and tears to achieve what we have.
I am fortunate there have been many. But my father has been my greatest influence. I learn a lot as a boy working in my father’s shops in Uganda and then in London’s North Harrow. He has been a real inspiration. 6 What is the best aspect about your current role? The success of the company has allowed us to create jobs in an area of London which still has pockets of depravation. I also like the aspect of looking to the future and further developments. Rikin was instrumental in setting up the new site
7 And the worst? Early on like a lot of business’s we went through a period when our cash flow started to run dry. It was a very bumpy ride. All our family savings had been used up. We were approached by some old family friends Pradipard and Manish Dhamecha who already had a successful business. They invested and the business was restructured and went from strength to strength ever since. 8 What are you long term goals? To hand over more responsibility to Rikin who has brought so much to our business and must take credit for our recent fantastic achievements. For him to make it bigger and better. I want to secure the future of the business and would like to leave a sustainable legacy. Our long term goal is to make sure we continue to be closely aligned to their needs in what we are trying to achieve.
what one aspect would you change? To create a climate where business can thrive and create wealth and jobs for our country’s people. There is a lot of red-tape and barriers to entry to get your business off the ground. I think the government could do more to simplify the legislation and providing new and small business with more support and funding. 10 If you were marooned on a desert island, what historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why? Mahatma Gandhi for his great teachings. In particular”Before the throne of the Almighty, man will be judged not by his acts but by his intentions. For God alone reads our hearts”. 11. What is your approach to your employee’s? Kolak has always had a very diverse workforce and we are committed to providing an inclusive working environment in which everyone is treated fairly. We believe that having people from different backgrounds, with different life experiences and talents is a real bonus for our business and for our customers. That's why respecting and valuing the diversity of our people is central to our vision and who we are.
Indians under represented in Centenary Memorials
The venue was perfect, the hospitality warm and the audience attentive. This just about describes the very inspiring and informative event on 30 January, The Centenary Meeting, at the Imperial War Museum. It was one of the 2500 events, between now and 2018, to mark the Centenary of the First World War (1914-1918). The Imperial war Museum is leading a network of regional, national and international cultural and educational organisations. working together, they plan to connect current and future generations with the lives, stories and impact of the First World War. However one group remains under represented in the national scheme of presentations. The Indian Army. Before partition this was representative of soldiers from modern day Pakistan and Bangladesh. Sadly the same is true for other Commonwealth soldiers such as those from Africa and the West Indies. Dr Kusoom Vadgama, the founding Co-Chair of Indo-British Heritage Trust, expressed sadness that these soldiers are never allowed to share the limelight when tributes are paid to the British war efforts. For her, their absence at the annual
5 Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Festival Hall is unacceptable. She later added that she had written to the person in charge of the programmes at the Royal Albert Hall, requesting that Indians be included in their timetable for the next four anniversaries. Even after a month her letter remains unacknowledged. Vadgama now wants the Commonwealth High Commissions and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to take up the issue and show that these soldiers did not die only to be forgotten. There are many incredible stories of bravery and sacrifice that need to be heard. One of these involves an Indian soldier named Alhaji Grunshi. He fired what is thought to be the first shot of the war whilst he was stationed with the Gold Coast Regiment in the modern country of Togo, West Africa. He went on to survive the war becoming a recipient of the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The First World War was the first major conflict to be photographed and some of the most striking images were of Indian soldiers. During the war Brighton Pavilion was donated by the King of England to be used as a
hospital for injured Indian soldiers. He felt that his exotic residence would aid in the recovery of the men. A display of these
9 If you are Prime Minister,
images, at the actual Brighton Pavilion is one of the few events being staged to commemorate the contribution of these
troops. The whole experience of the day, surrounded by actions and events in film and fighting machines of
the war was unforgettable. Not only for what was discussed but also for what was not- the Soldiers of British India.
Asian Voice Political & Public Life Awards 2015 The multicultural society of the UK maintains a vibrant and dynamic social, cultural and political life which is arguably a model for the rest of the world. Owing to the century old tradition of participation in the political process in the UK, Women and Men equally participate in political and public life in a number of ways, from holding office as political representatives, to exercising citizenship rights such as voting, and to playing an active role in community and voluntary organisations. While those holding political office and occupying leadership positions at different levels of government are most visible in decision-making processes, people in senior and management positions across a wide range of public, private and voluntary sector organisations also exercise power and influence in shaping society. The Asian Voice Political and Public Life Awards represent our modest effort to honour a number of outstanding individuals from
different communities, walks of life and diverse political persuasions who serve society in their own special way, and who contribute significantly, in whatever they do, towards making a better world today and for the future. These awards are given annually to individuals who have made a special impact in the preceding 12 months, ranging from INTERNATIONAL POLITICIANS to INDIVIDUALS who have made a big difference in their LOCAL COMMUNITIES. It is the Ninth year the awards have been presented and as in previous years, the competition for awards is extremely strong. The awards for achievements made in 2014 will be handed out at a prestigious ceremony in the Members Dining Room of the House of Commons on 26th February 2015, amidst a select group of 250 people, including high profile politicians across all political parties, business men and community leaders.
The nominees for this year are Political
Cabinet Minister of the Year Shadow Cabinet Minister of the Year. Conservative Backbencher of the Year. Labour Backbencher of the Year Liberal Democrat Backbencher of the Year London Politician of the year London Councillor of the Year.
Public Life
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Female Entertainer of the Year Male Entertainer of the Year Humanitarian Campaigner of the Year Community Service Achievement Professional of the Year Business Person of the Year Entrepreneur of the Year Journalist of the Year Lawyer of the Year Car of the Year Newspaper of the Year Restaurant of the Year School of the Year
Please send your nominations for Political and Public Life Awards to: PPLA2015@yahoo.com