Vish was born and raised in East London. From a very young age, he demonstrated a flair for creativity and music, Vish took to the stage and began singing. He pursued his musical aspirations further by writing, producing and recording much of his own material.
After graduating, Vish commenced his working life within the education sector, mentoring young people who displayed significant emotional and behavioural difficulties. Using this experience to develop his career, Vish soon moved into the Criminal Justice System, where his professional capacities focused around the management and resettlement of high risk, prolific offenders upon their release from long-term custodial sentences. He also wrote Sentencing Guideline Reports for many high-profile Court Houses across the UK. After leaving the CJS in 2014, Vish started to build his own property portfolio, both in London and in the North of England. Vish also presents a daily Radio Show discussing current affairs.
1) Which place, city or country do you most feel at home in?
No matter where I may travel in the world, London will always be home. Born and raised, I'm an East Londoner through and through!
2) What are your proudest achievements?
I think one of my proudest personal achievements was finally making the realisation that being able to show vulnerability and emotional transparency in life is not a weakness, but actually a true demonstration of strength of character and integrity. Very often, I'm also my own harshest critic, so learning to be a little less self-judgemental has been a real education for me.
On a lighter note, teaching myself to swim was one of the best possible things I ever did. I'm so proud of that too!
3) What inspires you?
One of the biggest inspirational influences of my life since childhood has always been music, or food for the soul. It's a language that is universal to us all, transcending generations, cultures and backgrounds. Music will always remain a boundless gift to me, that just keeps on giving.
4) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
In my previous role within the Criminal Justice System, various aspects of working with high risk, prolific offenders proved both professionally and personally challenging. After hearing many horrific accounts of prolonged heinous criminal behaviour, I often struggled to be able to see both sides of the story, and initially found it hard to offer an authentic level of support or empathy to offenders.
However, after watching several triumphant breakthroughs first hand, in cases where I fully believed all hope had gone, I came to realise that everybody has the capacity to change regardless of background or circumstance. This was monumental.
5) Who has the biggest influence on your career to date?
The biggest influence on my career has always been my Dad. A strong, kind and gentle man, who taught me to be courageous in the face of adversity, to always show affection openly, and to have faith in my own abilities when pursuing my aspirations. I try my utmost to live by the supreme values he instilled within me everyday.
6) What is the best aspect of your current role?
Whether it be a companion during times of loneliness, a guest around the breakfast table, or perhaps a passenger in the car on the afternoon school run, radio is such an intimate part of our daily lives. Being given the privilege to engage with listeners on the radio everyday, providing reassurance and comfort when it is required, or simply being an uplifting familiar voice in the background is without doubt the best aspect of my role.
7) And the worst?
I think the hardest aspect of my role is not being able to see my listeners whilst I'm on air. Watching listener reactions, having direct engagement, and maintaining face to face interaction would just be epic. On a lighter note, not being able to eat in the studio is a tough one too. A freshly delivered, stone baked margherita pizza would be a great sporadic on-air companion!
8) What are your long term goals?
My long term goals will always include radio presenting. For me, this is not just a job, it actually forms an intrinsic, spiritual part of who I am.
I'm also hugely passionate about writing, an area that I have aspirations I am keen to pursue. I'd love to write a novel, and also perhaps a screenplay within the Thriller or Fantasy genre.. or even both together, a Thrantasy!
Finally, I'm a massive foodie and relish any opportunity of getting in the kitchen and cooking for hours. It's one of the most therapeutic and creative outlets for me. I'd love to someday open up a small little charming bistro, somewhere nice and sunny overlooking the water.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
If I was Prime Minister, I think one of the key issues I'd make efforts to address would be the ongoing, prevalent concerns surrounding young people and mental health.
I would allocate a far greater budget to enable young people, particularly from low income families to gain access to a much wider array of resources.
10) If you were marooned on a deserted island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
My ideal desert island mate in reference to a historical figure I think would have to be Mahatma Gandhi ji. A globally iconic figure, whose philosophies of peace and harmony will always continue to inspire me. Also, his regular fasting stints would be a real asset to learn from whilst being stuck.
