The Bestway Group, headed by Group Chief Executive, Lord Zameer Choudrey CBE, has seen a 10% growth in revenues during 2021, which reached £3.75 billion with an operating pre-tax profit of £350 million. The Bestway Group’s principal activities during 2021 were in the Wholesale, Pharmacy, Property, Cement and Financial Services sectors. The Group’s portfolio includes Bestway Wholesale, the UK’s largest independent food and drink wholesaler and Well Pharmacy which remains the largest independent retail pharmacy chain in the UK. Additionally, the Group owns the 2nd largest cement manufacturer (Bestway Cement) and 2nd largest private bank in Pakistan (UBL) as well as significant property investments in both the UK and in Pakistan.
The Group’s UK businesses were classified as essential businesses and played a key role during the pandemic in ensuring the UK’s food and medicine supply chain remained stable, with Well Pharmacy operating over 60 COVID vaccination sites. The Group’s strong performance has been attributed to a combination of higher sales alongside improved systems and efficiencies within its portfolio businesses. It also focused growth on organic initiatives alongside tactical acquisitions, which included the set-up of 55MW of off-grid solar power in Pakistan by Bestway Cement (the largest in the region), as well as Bestway Wholesale’s acquisition of Costcutter Supermarkets Group (CSG). The Bestway Group won Business of the Year at the recent Asian Business Awards, with UBL (United Bank Limited) recognised internationally for its leadership position in digitising the Pakistani Banking industry and being voted the Best Digital Bank in Pakistan by Asiamoney for the 2nd successive year. The Group’s charitable arm, Bestway Foundation, remained active in its support of a variety of healthcare and education charities. During the year, Bestway Foundation set up a scholarship fund at the University of Cambridge that will fully endow a PhD Scholarship for a student from Pakistan to study at Gonville and Caius College each year whilst also providing more than £270,000 in grants to students of South Asian origin to attend universities in the UK. Lord Choudrey, CEO of Bestway Group, commented: “2021 was an extremely volatile environment which added significant complexity to our operations as customers were continually adapting to new regulations.
“However, despite the economic turbulence and the challenges faced during 2021, the Group has retained its focus on growth and the continuous improvement of service and efficiency to support its customers. These results are a testament to the Group’s strategic and operating model.” “I would like to sincerely thank all of our employees for the dedication and commitment they have shown during a difficult period. “I am proud of the role our employees have played on the front line in the UK by ensuring the country’s medicine and food supply chain remains intact. Equally, the role colleagues have played in Pakistan should also be applauded as they have helped customers navigate a challenging operating environment.” Sir
Anwar Pervez, Chairman of Bestway Group, commented: “The Group has shown immense resilience in 2021 and we are confident that our businesses will continue to gain share within their respective markets during 2022”. Owned by the Pervez, Choudrey and Sheikh families, Bestway Group was founded by Sir Anwar Pervez OBE in 1976, who remains Chairman. Serving over 12 million customers and employing over 28,000 individuals, the Group supports and serves communities through its operations across the UK, Pakistan and the Middle East. Its head offices are based in Park Royal, London.
