User:Praetorian Bard/sandbox

Sukhi Ghuman (born 23 November 1977) is an Asian entrepreneur in the United Kingdom.

Biography
Sukhi was born and raised in inner city Leicester, UK. Coming from a traditional Sikh family, Sukhi credits his success to the grit and determination he acquired from his grandmother. Having suffered with financial issues as a family, Sukhi forged a firm work ethic from the early age of 13.

Early career
Having graduated from Nottingham Trent University with LLB Honours in 1999, Sukhi completed The Legal Practice Course at De Montfort University and began his career as a Trainee Lawyer with regional firm, Brethertons Solicitors. After qualifying as a lawyer, he then moved to City Law Firm, Nabarro Nathanson, where he handled major corporate accounts.

Formation of Octavian
Ultimately, working for an organisation did not provide the job satisfaction that Sukhi yearned for. His big break came in 2003, when he spotted the opportunity to form a security company with a difference - Octavian - a security company that would offer superlative customer service at affordable prices, filling a niche position in the marketplace beneath the huge conglomerates, but above the regional security companies.

In the same year, Octavian acquired Three Counties Events and Broadcast Security, building a solid foundation for the phenomenal organic growth which followed, with Octavian winning contracts from blue chip companies and public sector organisations from across the UK. Naturally, this attracted substantial praise in the market place.

In 2010, Sukhi forged a partnership between Octavian and Swissport International, the world's leading supplier of ground handling services to the aviation sector. This agreement paved the way for Octavian to provide security and concierge services to aviation terminals and related services in the UK.

International expansion
In 2005, Octavian expanded into Dubai and became one of the first UK companies to physically provide guard services and consultancy to organisations throughout the Gulf. This included landmark cases such as providing Alcohol Sniffing Dogs to a multi-national logistics operation, to prevent the smuggling of alcohol into Saudi Arabia.

Octavian received a series of awards for Ghuman.

In 2010, Octavian officially entered the USA, settling on Tulsa, Oklahoma, for its HQ. Service offerings have since been extended into Texas and Arizona.

In the same year, 25% of Octavian UK was acquired by UK entrepreneur Mrs Mrs Kavita Oberoi, who teamed up with Ghuman to continue the UK expansion of the business.

Other business interests
Sukhi Ghuman has become recognised for his entrepreneurial business ventures, consultancy projects and motivational speaking.

In 2010, Sukhi lead a consortium that attempted to take over the world's oldest football league club, Notts County.

Honours and philanthropy
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is high on Sukhi's agenda and he has supported a number of charities via Octavian since its inception. His latest venture saw him taking to the pitch at Everton's Goodison Park, helping to raise £10,000 for Football Aid.

He is a member of the British Indian Business Forum, established to celebrate success and offer mentoring and support to Indian owned businesses.

Ghuman also sits on the Development Board for Nottingham Trent University and, for some years, he has mentored students and delivered guest lectures.

In 2011, he became the first non-US citizen to become Board Member for The Homeland Security Foundation of America (HSFA), whose mission is to advance Homeland Security while preserving Americans' civil liberties through life-saving public safety, energy and health and human services programs.

Sukhi offered great input into existing initiatives, and introduced his own pilot scheme to improve US port security.

In 2012, he was elected Chair of the HSFA. Sukhi has won numerous personal accolades, including:
 * Finalist in the 2009 'Entrepreneur of the Year' category, Growing Business Awards
 * Shortlisting in the 2009 'Entrepreneur of the Year' category, National Business Awards
 * Finalist in the 2008 'Entrepreneur of the Year' at the Business Awards Nottinghamshire
 * Shortlisting for the 2008 Ernst & Young 'Entrepreneur of the Year' Award
 * Being named as the Institute of Directors Midlands 'Emerging Leader 2007 (Large Business)'
 * First Enterprise Ethnic Minority Business Awards 2007 'Young Entrepreneur of the Year'
 * 'Entrepreneur of the Year' at the 2006 Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry Nottinghamshire BEST Business Awards
 * 'Entrepreneur of the Year' at the 2005 Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry Nottinghamshire BEST Business Awards

TV and radio appearances

 * September 2009 - BBC TV's Working Lunch