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| Tuesday, 17 December 2002 |
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Meeting Point : Lankan businessman wins two top awards in UK By Chandani Jayatilleke Twelve years ago Romesh Perera went to the UK to pursue higher studies in information technology. But, 12 years later he ended up as a successful businessman there, running several franchise shops under prestigious names such as Budgens, Costcutters and Esso; the first two being supermarkets and the latter a petrol station. His success was recognised by the trading community there with two top awards: the Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2002 award at the Retail Industry awards and Asian Trader of the Year award at the Asian Trader awards held in London recently. The retail industry awards are held for big retailers such as Tesco, Marks and Spencer, Asda, Sainsburys and Boots. The Asian Trade awards, now running in its 16th year were previously won by Indian and Pakistani nationals. Winning awards Perera, the chairman of MSP Group Burnt Oak, Middlesex has been selected from over 70,000 applications received by the organisers. "And this was the first time a Sri Lankan has won these two prestigious awards. It was all due to hard work. And without hard work and commitment you can't achieve anything, Perera told the Meeting Point when we met him at the Colombo Hilton Hotel for an interview. He showed us the awards and a congratulatory letter sent to him by the House of Commons in Britain as proof of his achievement. Education An old boy of S.Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia, Perera left for the UK to follow higher studies. While doing studies in the computer field he started working on a part-time basis in the Esso chain as any other student in the UK would have done. But, sooner Perera spent more time in work and studies were given second priority. He hardly found any time to continue his studies. "I got more involved in work and found employment in Texaco and worked there for eight years. That's where I learned everything about retail marketing and how to run a successful business venture." Perera has already provided employment to 42 people, the majority of them Sri Lankans. "I am planning to increase the number of employment opportunities and expand business activities with the new recognition I have gained following the awards," he said. Winning an award of this nature is a great encouragement. Turnover It gives the strength, recognition and markatable drive to the business organisation. It's a remarkable achievement for the person. Perera's franchise supermarkets are run by three managers appointed by him while Perera himself visits the markets to keep a track on managerial work. All three shops together make a turnover of about 175,000 pounds a week. However, I have no regrets about not completing studies now. I am free to do whatever I want to in the business world. I have worked hard to gain this success.I wouldn't have achieved this success had I continued my studies, he said. What has helped him to gain this success? I queried. "I think I have inborn management skills. I am good to people and they in return contribute the best they could to develop the business organisation." Future plans Perera is optimistic that he could develop business activities with Sri Lanka following the on-going peace process in the country. "Lots of British people are keen to come here with the new developments in Sri Lanka. I guess, I too have opportunities to venture into some business in the near future," he said. Runs three franchise shops in Britain At 32, Romesh Perera successfully runs three franchise shops in Britain under prestigious names: Budgens, Costcutters and Esso; the first two being supermarkets and the latter a petrol station. He was recently chosen as the Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2002 at the Retail Industry awards and Asian Trader of the Year awards ceremony at the Asian Trader awards. The retail industry awards are held for big retailers such as Tesco, Marks and Spencer, Asda, Sainsburys and Boots. The Asian Trade awards, now running in its 16th year were previously won by Indian and Pakistani nationals. "This was the first time a Sri Lankan has won these two prestigious awards. It was all due to hard work. And without hard work and commitment you can't achieve anything, Perera said. |
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