entrepreneurs 15


Pictures by Angus Thomas


want to know we’ve taken steps to mitigate any risks to their business, their reputation and their brand whilst remaining cost competitive; that’s what we do best. We have put steadfast processes into place that we continuously monitor and develop and worked relentlessly to achieve and maintain many accreditations and accolades which demonstrate the importance we place on legal compliance.


Food and hospitality is the prime focus of our business at the moment, but regardless of the sector, whether you’re looking for an engineer, a waitress or a commercial director, a large majority of recruitment processes are universal and overlap.


Did you ever have any doubts?


It is human nature for doubts to plague one’s mind and of course everyone takes a wrong turn at some time. What I have though, is a determination to strive for something better and that will always be with me, not to mention the unequivocal support


of my family which is priceless. Having come from outside the country and dropped out of education, I really value each achievement. Once you can see your business growing into something which is significant and substantial, the possibilities are limitless.


Who inspired you?


I draw inspiration from many things and many people, but one in particular is our father, who has always been very entrepreneurial and driven. As a nation, Pakistan’s infrastructure and economical fabric is unfortunately very poor in comparison to the UK, so people don’t often grow up thinking they will get a job or have a career. Overall, people are much more entrepreneurial as they are somewhat compelled to stand on their own two feet. When I was made redundant, my father encouraged me to use the time as an opportunity to build something for myself and my family, whilst my elder brother encouraged me to not give up and keep going.


How important is family?


Goldteam is a family-run business to the core and several of my siblings have worked with me from the outset, bringing their respective talents and dedication to the table. We are a family of highly entrepreneurial and driven individuals who want nothing more than to support each other’s endeavours in whatever way we can whilst remaining honest and upholding ethics.


My wife, who has qualified in biomedical science arena, is doing a fabulous job of creating a solid foundation for our children by instilling steadfast values and giving them after-school classes as well.


What are some of your greatest achievements?


It’s been a 12-year journey of establishing the business and there have been a number of standout events. One was that first commission, but I’d have to say overall it would be developing our own Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution after investing a lot of money, time


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – FEBRUARY 2015


and tears. It has become part of the very fabric of our organisation, so much so that our next plan is to commercialise its success. One of the proudest moments was in 2013 when we won Business Technology Entrepreneur of the Year at the GB Entrepreneur Awards. To receive national recognition like that was a tremendous feat.


You are a keen supporter of community initiatives - how important is that?


As well as being a director on the Board of Slough Business Community Partnership, I’ve also recently joined the Slough Wellbeing Board and have been very involved with Mosaic in the recent past, which, among other superb initiatives directed at underprivileged kids, runs an enterprise challenge for schools.


I think it’s a great privilege to be able to give back to the community you belong to and it’s also very rewarding to help those around you. Part of me feels I do it more for myself than for others. Voluntary work allows you to remain humble and to appreciate what you have. I think everyone should find some time to do something on a voluntary basis within their own communities, because you get far more from it yourself, than what you put in.


What does the future hold?


I have a vast vision for Goldteam with much that I would like to achieve, and being entrepreneurial is probably the key. I have always held a keen interest in technology and how it evolves, and have consequently established a software and web development company based in Pakistan. I also have an enthusiastic interest in real estate – when we bought our current home, I oversaw plans to knock it down and rebuild it to the vision that we had dreamed. For me, the destination is often progressive. I have always maintained, our journey in to the future will only take us “onwards and upwards” as long as we don’t let go of our core values as individuals and as a business.


Details: www. goldteam.co.uk www.businessmag.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52