Family business head wins entrepreneurship award

Diwan Rahul Nanda, head of Indian family business Topsgrup, the country’s largest security provider by revenues, has been named the Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year at the TiE UK Annual Awards.

Organised by a division of The Indus Entrepreneurs, an organisation formed in 1992 by a group of Indian business tycoons, the awards focus on recognising entrepreneurship among Asian business stalwarts in the UK.

Rahul, the second-generation of the Nanda family to become chairman of Topsgrup, received the award thanks to his role in spearheading the acquisition of a UK-based security company, said a statement.

The takeover, which happened in 2008, saw Topsgrup buying a 51% stake in Shield Guarding Company. It was the first acquisition of a British security firm by an Indian business.

Rahul was also recognised for his big international ambitions – he wants Topsgrup to become a “$10 billion (€7.4 billion) security group by 2020”.

Founded in 1970 by his father Major RC Nanda, who is currently vice-chairman, Rahul took the helm of the family business in 1992 at the age of 22. He is credited with transforming Topsgrup from a £30,000 company to one with revenues of around £150 million (€175 million) in 2010.