At a time when his products are glistening in most homes in the UK, John Athwal, managing director of Premier Decorations, received an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list for his services to business and charity.
His brainchild, Premier Decorations will have a major presence at the upcoming Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair (14-17 January) and Spring Fair (4-8 February, NEC), testament to the thriving business John started almost 30 years ago from nothing and now employs 250 people at its peak in the year.
John, who was feted as Asian of the Year in 2010, is also renowned for his philanthropic nature, being involved with and donating generously to charities including through being a leading light in The Fence Club (which, together with chums in the industry raises money for sick and disadvantaged children).
In 2014 John took part in the CEO Sleepout where he himself slept rough to help to raise awareness and money for Action for Children – a charity that is concerned with the 100,000 or so children who sleep rough in the UK every year.
Commenting, John says: “Receiving an OBE in the Queen’s 2018 New Years Honours list is a fantastic tribute and I am overwhelmed to have been recognised and nominated by colleagues and peers. Life has not always been as easy as it is today; having arrived at the age of eight in the UK in 1961 with my parents from very humble beginnings in Punjab, I have embraced the opportunities this country has offered me, and it only feels right to give a little something back to society.”
John has an extraordinary business tale to tell, whose natural ability coupled with tenacity has seen him not only spot opportunities, but grow them to extraordinary heights. Aged only 17, and against his parents’ wishes he set up a music promoter business with a friend, booking bands for events in students unions and town hall gigs.
He then went on to pioneer selling of non-food in a filling station where he was a trainee manager, which was so successful that it escalated to the formation of a business wholesaling non-petrol products which grew to supplying to 2,500 filling stations.
Although, by the age of 29 John was appointed to the board of directors and heading up an importing arm, his eyes were opened to the potential of Christmas decorations when a friend approached him with an order to supply Asda with decs that he could not fund himself. Hence Premier Decorations was born.
Premier Decorations has twice appeared in the Sunday Times Profit track for the fastest growing profitable companies, and also in the International track 200 for the fastest growing exporters.
While John no longer works full time in the Premier offices he is always there on the company’s trade stands where the champagne flows freely! He has two extra reasons to pop the corks at the shows, his OBE and his 65th birthday, that falls during Spring Fair.
“Professionally I think that I have achieved most of my ambitions – and receiving an OBE really has to cap it all. I will continue to be active in both my business and charitable work, but also look forward to spending more time in the future with my wife Jito, children and grandchildren.”
