2
ONE ONE with Keith Vaz, MP Asian Voice |30th January 2016
www.asian-voice.com
to
Pragnesh Modhwadia
Pragnesh Modhwadia is the Managing Partner of Axiom Stone Solicitors and also one of its founding partners. Pragnesh represents various clients including, high net worth individuals, blue-chip companies, hedge funds, foreign companies, SME’s, property developers and pharmaceutical companies, specialising in both real estate, property law and litigation. Pragnesh has acted on several developments, dealing with matters from initial planning permission to through to disposal of the units. He has acted for various clients on property acquisitions ranging from single sites to the acquisition of a portfolio of properties. He has vast experience representing clients in a wide range of commercial and civil disputes, having appeared before the Court of Appeal, all divisions of the High Court and various County Courts. What is your current position? Managing Partner of Axiom Stone Solicitors What are your proudest achievements? Professional: I am a family man, I see my achievement as a direct correlation to how proud my family and parents are of my achievements and the firm. In preparation of this interview I called my parents and asked them what would be their most memorable and proudest achievement of me. They said "being on the TV and in the papers". Of course, every parent wants to see their children do well, as do I when my son is older, but beyond "being in the paper or on the TV" I think what they are most proud of is that over the last 8 years we have
developed a practice which is positively recognised within the profession, local communities and reputable third parties. To kick start the New Year, my management committee and I met to discuss, plan and roadmap 2016 for us as a business. 8 years ago we didn't have a meeting, a committee or a roadmap, but here we are in 2016, blessed with a fabulous, experienced team who all contribute and share the same vision of success in providing legal services. Personal: The birth of my son, Yuvan. Notwithstanding professional achievements, I am a firm believer of having a balance. My son reminds me each day that whilst we may have professional accomplishments and aspirations, having a family and
AsianVoiceNews
loved ones to share those moments with makes our successes that much more pronounced and rewarding.
ics, teaching me that you need both confidence and humility in equal measures to succeed
What inspires you? My son, smiles and those who have the courage to pursue their dreams. What has been the biggest obstacle in your career? As with any business, there are always obstacles to contend with on a daily basis. I have been fortunate, in that we approach obstacles very pragmatically so challenges are either turned around to positively impact the practice or we use them as lessons in life and business, which is equally valuable to us. The fluidity of the economy since I founded the firm has been challenging at times, but we have used this as incentive to avoid complacency and to motivate us to plan for the future and constantly reevaluate the political and economic sphere, so that we are always one step ahead. Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date? My family, in particular, my brother; His relentless work ethic, devotion both to family and friends alike and his support since the inception of the firm. Honestly speaking, my family are my most avid supporters and simultaneously my biggest crit-
What is the best aspect about your current role? Seeing the team at Axiom Stone Solicitors grow and the brand being recognised across the industry, both domestically and in international communities. I love hearing all the positive feedback about the firm and our teams, as it is a testament to all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. And the worst? There are so many opportunities, but not enough hours in the day. I have a great team around me, supporting the firm both operationally and strategically so we are making inroads into most, if not all, of these. What are your long term goals? Professionally I’d like to be in a position where we can provide a
Immigration minister, James Brokenshire
The leader of Newcastle city council, Nick Forbes, allegedly claimed that Stuart Monks is earning a hefty amount of money yearly by “dumping the poor on the poor”. He said that the underprivileged areas where the company purchases properties at a low cost have sustained serious outcomes for community cohesion. Nick Forbes said, “There is widespread community concern about poor, vulnerable people being dumped in poor neighbourhoods without any planning or social support.” Jomast, which is paid by G4S to house asylum seekers in northeast England, have currently housed 2,646 people. Over 1,500 asylum seekers have been housed in Middlesbrough and
behind red doors. When people see them, everyone knows it means asylum seekers. It's like saying we're not the same as you.” However, a G4S director, John Whitwam, stated that there was “absolutely no such policy”. G4S and Jomast have both denied deliberately placing asylum seekers in properties with red doors. G4S claimed that they have not received any complaints from asylum seekers, and that they were allegedly told by Jomast that the company “does not distinguish between those properties that it rents to private tenants and those... used to house asylum seekers”. Jomast has stressed that it “takes its legal and other responsibilities both to its commercial partners and to those that it houses extremely seriously”. The immigrations minister, James Brokenshire stated, “I expect the highest standards from our contractors. If we find evidence of discrimination against asylum seekers it will Asylum seekers allegedly claimed be dealt with immediof being targeted ately.”
Stockton-on-Tees, where over 500 of those properties are owned by Jomast. 517 have been placed in homes in Newcastle upon Tyne. As per The Times Newspaper, G4S were aware of concerns regarding asylum claimants feeling “branded” by the red door homes four years ago. Many asylum claimants have spoken about the harassment that they have endured, which include having eggs and stones thrown at their windows, as well as having dog excrement smeared against their doors. One of the victims shared, “They put us
multitude of services to our clients, by extending our current offerings, and enhancing some of our current practices too. We are always looking for ways to improve our services, whether regarding our IT systems, office locations, experience of our staff etc, which we will continue to monitor and evaluate to ensure we remain innovative and competitive. Personally I’m having so much fun with the journey that I’m already on, I want that to continue and I want to keep developing myself as an individual.
both in business and in life.
Alleged 'red door apartheid' for asylum seekers There was a time in the 20th century when Jews were forced to wear yellow stars in Nazi Germany, and now it has emerged that a secret apartheid policy marks many asylum seekers in poor towns in England by housing them in properties with red front doors. It would not be farfetched to claim that “branding” the asylum seekers by the red door of their houses is similar to the Nazi movement. The red doors, which are found on terraced streets in the deprived areas of Middlesbrough, make asylum homes easy to identify. They could also be blamed for the several harassment, abuse and attacks. These properties are owned by Stuart Monks, who according to The Sunday Times Rich List, is worth approximately £175 million. It is said that he is paid millions a year to supply housing for numerous asylum seekers, which include some who have fled from Syria. Monk's company, Jomast, is a subcontractor for G4S, the global security group, which has the Home Office asylum contract for northeast England.
AsianVoiceNewsweekly
If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change? Quite controversially I would want to reconsider the current tax regime to encourage investors to invest in the UK. Some of the recent tax changes could have an adverse effect on the UK as being the preferred choice, which could have far reaching effects on individuals and businesses. If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why? Oscar Wilde. He is one of my favorite writers, simultaneously a romantic and a cynic. Whilst there are so many of his quotes I love, one of my favorites is: “Be yourself, everyone else is taken”
Diaspora to get help from India on doing business Continued from page 1 Indian School of Business said, “The ten – day residential programme will be an experiential oriented mix including exposure to the touch & feel of the Indian market, connect with senior Govt officials dealing with investment policies, domain experts, captains of the Indian industry and a curated networking opportunity with potential business partners.” Selected candidates who complete the programme will become members of the OIFC India Entrepreneurship Fellows (OIEF) Club, which will receive support & facilitation from OIFC in doing business in India. The India Fellows Programme is open to young Indian Diaspora entrepreneurs/professionals in decision-making capacity/potential investors & international partners of Indian companies (21-39 years of age); with minimum 3 years of entrepreneurial experience. Scheduled to begin in mid-2016, the programme is being offered at a special
introductory fee of US $5,000 per participant plus service tax. Fee includes boarding & lodge, programme-related learning material, field visits & webinars. Participants will have to bear the cost for travel and local conveyance. Mr Anil Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs said, “We hope that OIFC’s India Fellows programme will serve as a first step for familiarizing those Diaspora Businessmen and professionals who wish to explore doing business with India and are looking for a sound introduction on how to.” Overseas India Facilitation Centre was setup by the Government of India, in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry, to facilitate economic engagement of Overseas Indians with India. The Indian School of Business is a premier tier-1 Business School of India and ranks high on the top global business schools. It is the first Business School in South Asia to receive the AACSB accreditation.