The gift industry’s most prestigious personal award, the Honorary Achievement Award, was presented to John Athwal OBE, founder and managing director of Premier Decorations, who received a standing ovation from guests at The Greats Awards ceremony last Thursday (May 17).
“I was gobsmacked,” John admitted. “I didn’t have an inkling that it was going to be me. I felt honoured and very humbled. For the first time ever, it brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes when I heard my name read out. I would like to thank everyone very much for this fantastic honour.”
Reading out the citation, Sue Marks, editor of Progressive Gifts & Home and GiftsandHome.net explained: “This afternoon’s winner is not just an extra-ordinary entrepreneur, but an exceptional humanitarian and philanthropist.
“A rebel from a young age, our Honorary Achievement winner defied parental advice to set up as a music promoter aged 17, booking bands for events in student unions and gigs in town halls.
“It was our winner’s first taste of business success, and he was ambitious to get another foot on the ladder.
“He moved on to pioneer the selling of non-food in a petrol station, and it was so successful, that it escalated into the formation of a business wholesaling non-petrol products, growing to supply 2,500 garages.
“Unsurprisingly, our winner became a director of that company before he was 30. But unbeknown to him, his business life was only just beginning.
“When a friend approached him with an order to supply Asda with Christmas decorations – that he himself wasn’t able to fund – it gave our winner the idea to start his own company. The rest, as they say, is history.”
Continued Sue: “In a hugely competitive market place, the fledgling company he started has gone from strength to strength over the past three decades, becoming a much respected name in the gifts and home industry.
“Under his leadership, the company has made it into the Sunday Times Profit Track charts for fastest growing profitable companies, as well as into the Sunday Times International Track 200 for being one of the fastest growing exporters.
“Our winner’s charitable work has gone in hand in hand with his business success, where he has personally made a huge and significant difference to the lives of others, who are, and have been, less fortunate.
“In recognition of his endeavours in business, and in life, he has, been feted with awards, to include being crowned Asian of the Year in 2010, and, more recently, receiving an OBE in the Queen’s 2018 New Year’s Honours List for his services to business and charity.
“Well, The Greats 2018 is our opportunity to give a little something – correction, a very prestigious something – to you.
“I feel privileged to announce this afternoon that The Greats Honorary Achievement 2018 award goes to John Athwal, founder and managing director of Premier Decorations.”
Top: A big smile from John Athwal OBE, founder and managing director of Premier Decorations with the coveted Honorary Achievement Award.
