Moni Varma, founder of Veetee, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Enterprise and Innovation by the University of Kent in recognition of his outstanding contribution to British business and entrepreneurship.
Varma founded Veetee in 1987 with the ambition of building a business based on quality, integrity and continuous innovation. Over nearly four decades, the company has grown into one of the UK's leading rice brands, earning a reputation for introducing high-quality rice products to consumers across the country.
Accepting the honour, Varma said he was "deeply honoured" to receive the doctorate and reflected on the values that have guided his career.
Varma also dedicated the recognition to those who had supported him over the years, including his family, colleagues, business partners and customers. He thanked them for their trust, encouragement and friendship, saying the achievement reflected their collective efforts rather than his alone.
The University of Kent honoured Varma for his contribution to enterprise and innovation. Originally from Malawi, he moved to the UK in 1982 before establishing Veetee five years later. He thanked the university for what he described as an extraordinary honour, accepting the award with gratitude and humility.
