Have you undertaken any kind of further study since leaving Bedales and have you gained any further qualifications?
After I left Bedales I proceeded to do Chemical Engineering at Aston University in Birmingham. I am planning to do an MBA soon in Europe because it is very essential for my line of work and also an opportunity to be a student again!
What kind of work are you currently involved in, and how and why have you come to be doing it?
After gaining my degree I moved back to India to join the family pharmaceutical business, Dishman Pharmaceuticals, which does contract research and development and contract manufacturing for multinational companies. The plan always was to be involved in the family business. I always wanted that and was working towards that. When I joined I was training with my Father. After a year of training under him I was made a CEO of one of the manufacturing plants and ran that successfully and nearly doubled the turnover of that plant after which I was promoted as the CEO of the entire manufacturing facility and was made a Director of the company.
The kind of personalised education provided developed my understanding to a different level
Did attending Bedales help you in getting to where you are now and how satisfied are you with what you are doing?
Being at Bedales helped me a lot. The kind of personalised education provided developed my understanding to a different level. Teachers are friendly and available for help at any time. The people there are so friendly that befriending them comes naturally to you and you naturally start caring about them unlike other places where you have to make an effort. I consider this the biggest asset of Bedales. This for me was really important and which made me feel welcomed from day one and has helped me to make other friends and develop contacts after school.
Have you been involved in any other interesting activities or occupations since leaving school?
Food has always been my passion but because of my business I never had time to think or do anything about it. After my return to India I ran into an old friend from my primary school days in India and we bonded and connected and discussed a few things. One of the things we discussed was food and a company from a nearby city who are willing to expand to other cities. Now we run one of the most successful restaurants in the city and am looking for more opportunities in the same line.