UK: Tony Matharu, owner of Tower Suites aparthotel by Blue Orchid Hotels, has won Business Man of the Year at the Sikhs in Business Awards.
The international event was the eleventh Sikh Awards and was attended by more than 400 guests of all faiths, from elite international dignitaries to public figures, community heroes, sports stars, celebrities and elite businessmen, including from India, Canada, Kenya, UK and USA.
The awards recognise the pivotal contributions made by the Sikh community across a variety of fields, from business, charity, education, entertainment, professional services, selfless service and sport, with winners selected across the globe.
Matharu founded what grew into one of London’s leading independent hotel group, valued at more than £1.5 billion and has now, through his Integrity International Group, created London’s latest addition to the luxury hotel sector with his Blue Orchid Hotels group. The group has three hotels in the capital, including the Tower Suites aparthotel, which offers 273 luxury suites, with living areas and kitchens and the amenities of a five star hotel.
Matharu has credited his success to London and the opportunities available to those prepared to make sacrifices and work hard, even for immigrants including, but not particularly, Sikhs, and the values learnt from his mother.
At the awards ceremony, Matharu recounted the words of Martin Luther King: “The ultimate measure of man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” and reflected on the challenges and obstacles encountered by Sikhs throughout the world.
Later Matharu repeated his mother’s favourite quotation originally attributed to Mother Theresa: “People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centred. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating, other may destroy overnight. Create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.”
