A PIONEERING businessman who started life as a child in a refugee camp in India, has donated a quarter of million pounds to a London university in a bid to create the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Dr Rami Ranger, founder of the Sun Mark food firm which has introduced brands such as Pure Heaven drinks, Golden Country and Bulldog energy drink to retailers around the country, invested £250,000 to the Clearance Centre for Enterprise & Innovation at London South Bank University.
The opening of The Dr Rami Ranger MBE Centre for Graduate Entrepreneurship took place on Friday (3) and in attendance was Theresa Villiers MP, the secretary of State for Northern Ireland, who unveiled a plaque in honour of Dr Ranger.
Also in attendance was Keith Vaz MP for Leicester East, Steve Pound MP for Ealing North, Richard Harrington MP for Watford and Nat Puri, the industrialist and entrepreneur who founded the Purico Group.
Dr Ranger told Eastern Eye, the newly formed partnership with the education institute will continue with visits to the university as a professor and mentoring graduates.
““It's an ongoing commitment. The idea is for them to set up scholarships for poorer students. I'll also be a visiting professor to speak to the students about leadership, entrepreneurship, and whatever experience I've gained in the 44 years of my life in the UK.”
Dr Ranger came to the UK in the 1970s at the age of 23. He wanted to study law, but due to lack of funds ended up working in a London branch of KFC for 35p an hour. After seven years he was made redundant and after a brief stint working in retail he set up his own freight forwarding company in 1987 with just £2, a typewriter, a car and a self-storage unit.
He then diversified into exporting major food brands like Cadbury, Nestlé and Unilever before launching his own brand Sun Mark in 1995. Earleir this year he made history by winning Britain's most prestigious award for international trade, The Queen's Awards for Enterprise in International Trade – five years in a row. The award was presented by Prime Minister David Cameron himself.
“Its very important that we support our education institutions," Dr Ranger said.
"Our life experiences are invaluable. We can't take it with us [when we die] so we might as well share it everybody.
“We should encourage young people and share our knowledge and experience with the next generation. This is all about building a future for the country."
The Centre for Graduate Entrepreneurshp is the first initiative of its kind that Dr Ranger has invested in. He said he chose London South Bank University because of the diversity of students there.
“So many different cultures, colours, religions are working here. This is the ideal place for me, as an immigrant to come here and show other immigrants that success is possible. Britain is a land of great opportunities and with the five golden principles; self respect, work ethic, commitment, vision and empathy, everything is possible.“
He added: “Even if one student becomes an entrepreneur and starts creating jobs and wealth, that will be a great achievement, I'm hoping several of them will become successful.
“Going to university has shown that these people are serious and they have commitment, now it's just giving them the direction and ideas.”
Theresa Villiers MP and the secretary of State for Northern Ireland said: “I'm honoured to be asked to involved with this – It's a great project.
“Rami is such great success story and the fact that he wants to support others to go down that path towards enterprise and business success is a huge credit to him. It's a great pleasure to hear about his success story. It's one we want to see replicated across our society. There's nothing more important alongside social justice, than giving education to people.
“I'm sure the people taking part in the new course which will be set up because of this opening ceremony, will find it hugely beneficial and a tremendous boost in life to fulfil their ambitions and crucially, to provide important economic security for their families.”
Vice chancellor Prof David Phoenix added that Dr Rangers humble beginnings would help to inspire students
“He's come form a background where he hadn't been born with wealth or the background. He's developed his own skill and ability to create his own business. He's engagement with the university and the knowledge that brings and the way that will help us to promote what can be achieved is really important.
“For every individual that is helped through the centre through Rami's support, they in turn will help others through either employment or the way they engage.”
