LONDON: In a sparkling party that fits a visionary entrepreneur, Bestway Group welcomed 800 distinguished guests to Royal Albert Hall to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bestway’s founding and to pay tribute to his reverent founder, Sir Anwar Perez OBE.
Hosted by Dermot O’Leary, the night that paid tribute to one of Britain’s most inspiring entrepreneurs, with a line-up of artists in the world-class and inner speeches that reflect the remarkable journey in a Pakistan Gujjar Khan-born man who arrived in the UK with a little more than determination by building a business empire who today deals with 50,000 people today, including over 50,000 people, including In Pakistan.
Royal Albert Hall was transformed into a scene for celebration, including dignitaries, parliamentarians and friends from the Bestway family, gathered to honor the man behind one of Britain’s most successful and socially responsible business groups.
“His is a story of gravel, vision and purpose,” said Lord Zamer Choudrey CBE SI (PK), President of Bestway Group and nephew of Sir Anwar, in his welcome speech. “From a remote village in the rural Pakistan to the founding of Bestway in 1976, Sir Anwar’s journey is not only one of commercial success – but of social uplifting, community investments and philanthropy. It is our privilege to celebrate him and the 50 years he has inspired.”
Tonight’s program caught the spirit of the apartment, elegant and emotional. Highlights included an enchanting performance from Katherine Jenkins OBE and an exciting set from Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who flew in from Pakistan specifically for the event.
The evening also contained the dynamic string quartet Escala, accompanied by Novello Orchestra, under the baton of David Mahoney, as well as a high energy final from classic fusion artist, Okiem.
Former Prime Minister Lord David Cameron paid tribute to Sir Anwar’s lifelong values for business, generosity and service – and called him “a true British success story whose influence spans continents and generations”.
Lord Cameron highlighted Sir Anwar’s belief in society and the values that helped rebuild this country with a sense of service that has been one of the secrets of his success.
He reinforced the family values that reflect how Sir Anwar, together with his nephew Zamer and close friend Younus Sheikh, created Paragon from the family -run company, built on trust, respect and shared purpose.
Lord Choudrey said: “Sir Anwar’s life is the embodiment of the immigrant dream that was met. Arrived in the UK in 1956 he worked a number of jobs in Bradford and London before opening his first retail store in 1963. Thirteen years later he launched Bestway, which was the basis for what would be a diversified multinational group Pharmaceutical, cement, cement, and banks.
“Today, the group is one of the UK’s largest family -owned companies and a leading voice in responsible business and philanthropy and thrives under Sir Anwar’s guiding ethos of hard work, integrity, resilience and community service.
“Just as defining has been his commitment to giving back. Founded in 1987, the Bestway Foundation has donated over 50 million pounds to causes in the UK and abroad, focusing on education, health and social mobility, all questions that are close to Sir Anwar’s heart.
“Tonight is not just about looking back – it’s about looking ahead,” Lord Choudrey said. “Bestway’s story is still being written, and it is one built on the legacy of a man who dared to dream bigger than the circumstances.”
