Mayank B. Patel OBE

Leading investor, entrepreneur and philanthropist Mayank B. Patel OBE employs his award-winning business sense to determine his charitable giving.

“In business one seeks a return on investment,” says the Group Chairman, CEO and founder of the Azibo Group. “Similarly I believe in investing in The British Asian Trust knowing there is accountability and that the return is hundreds of thousands of lives changed for the better.”

With a business portfolio including Currencies Direct Limited, Tor Currency Exchange (TorFx) and Universal VAT services (UVS), Mayank’s interests in financial services and real estate span five continents creating one of the most comprehensive currency and international trade facilitators in the industry.

His ‘portfolio’ of business achievements includes Entrepreneur of the Year from both BT and London Business Awards and listing as one of Britain’s top 100 entrepreneurs by Management Today. During the recent 2011 Queen’s Birthday Honours, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to the Financial Services Industry and to Entrepreneurship.

The Trust’s investment in ‘grassroots organisations that are not in the limelight and are doing incredible work in education, health and livelihoods’ inspired his support. Mayank is also impressed by the Trust’s approach.

“It is led by individuals who are committed and passionate in bringing people in a position to support the Trust closer to the NGOs and charities that are in need of this support,” he explained. “It’s an engaging and meaningful two-way relationship that makes one feel a part of all the good work being done which positively furthers one’s commitment to the Trust,” says Mayank. “I fully support and recommend the good work of The British Asian Trust to others.”

Married with two children, he is a member of the Young President’s Organization and a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA). Mayank regularly sits on the judging panels of some of UK’s most prestigious business awards and his strong desire to see more young British businesses succeed has led to him providing advice and mentoring.