Atul Lakhani is the founder, Managing Director and CEO of multi-award winning Sanjay Foods. A graduate in BA (Hons) Economics, Atul has held various public posts including: a Director of the Leicester Asian Business Association (LABA), a Director of the Leicester Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Belgrave Business Association (BBA). After graduating in 1986 from Greenwich University. He has worked and primarily been involved in the hospitality sector. Initially, within the family business, the internationally renowned Bobby’s Restaurant and then subsequently setting up the Mirch Masala chain of restaurants. Atul’s commitment to chefmanship, and a passion for health and hygiene saw him gain top marks in Leicester in Advance Food Hygiene. Thereafter, Atul worked as a Development Consultant for Best Foods and Thomas Morell Foods. Atul was also a lead Consultant in the development of the multi million pound Peepul Centre in Leicester, championing equality and diversity.
1) Which place or city or country do you most feel at home in?
Despite having travelled extensively, home is where your heart is and therefore it has to be the UK and in particular Leicester where I have spent most of my life.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
The Pride of India Award presented to me at the House of Lords on Friday 15th September 2017 by the NRI board from India in recognition for my creative innovative and forward thinking contribution to the hospitality industry in the UK has to be up there as one of my proudest achievements.
3) What inspires you?
Having employed a number of people over the years it always inspires me to see their development. The same people who started as waiters and waitresses are today accountants, lawyers, work in theatre and this truly is inspiring.
4) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
Trying to juggle the development of a business with limited funds at a time when your children are growing up was a very difficult trade-off.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
Without a doubt it has to be my late mother Mrs Manglaben Lakhani, her vision, her quest for social justice and fairness, her temperament, integrity, humility, warmth and above all her smile.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
As the CEO of Sanjay Foods, I have met some amazing people from all walks of life. A lot of these people become life-long friends and that truly is invaluable.
7) And the worst?
It’s got to be the long hours and the time away from home, it is always very difficult.
8) What are your long term goals?
To develop the business further and consolidate our place within the hospitality industry.
I would like to be more altruistic in my outlook, so that I can help and perhaps mentor other aspiring individuals in our industry.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I would have a second vote on the Brexit, as I’m not sure everyone was aware of the implications of their first vote.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
Nelson Mandela, his sacrifice, his knowledge, his selflessness, his forgiveness, his strength to carry on, his courage would very easily maintain and enhance my understanding of life and sacrifice.
