Singer Kishan Amin and Absolute Bollywood helped the PwC Hindu Network celebrate Diwali on 17th November 2015. Sunil Patel, Senior Partner at PwC, welcomed over 100 guests who also held a minute’s silence to remember the victims of the Paris terrorism attacks the week before. Sunil Patel spoke about the need for greater diversity, understanding and compassion and how the company’s networks are a meaningful way in achieving this aim. Guests also heard a keynote speech by Digital Media Entrepreneur Lopa Patel MBE who talked about her entrepreneurial journey – particularly apt given that it was also the start of Global Entrepreneurship Week (16th – 22nd November 2015). The celebration represented an opportunity for guests to speak with fellow PwC Hindu Network members, other networks within PwC, PwC clients and representatives from other organisations; gain a greater awareness about the festival of Diwali and enjoy the vegetarian buffet.
About Sunil Patel – Partner, PwC
Sunil Patel is Senior Partner at PwC where he leads the Government & Health Industries consulting business. Sunil has a been a management consultant for over 25 years and has worked with numerous clients both internationally and domestically in his chosen markets of government, healthcare and pharmaceuticals. Sunil holds positions on the Consulting Leadership Team, the Diversity Council and the Hindu Network Steering Board at PwC.
About Lopa Patel MBE FCIM FIDM FRSA
Digital Media Entrepreneur
Lopa Patel is a digital entrepreneur with a lifelong love of science and technology and an evangelist for STEM, innovation and bridging the skills gap in business. Lopa is a Chartered Marketer and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), a Fellow of the Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM) and a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts (RSA).
She is an inspirational leader and her outstanding record of achievement has been recognised through accolades including the ‘Windrush Award’ in 2003 (Outstanding Champion for the Internet & Technology), ‘Asian Woman of the Year’ in 2005 (Media) and an MBE for services to the creative industries in 2009. In 2015, she was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion.
About Kishan Amin and Hav Singh
Dubbed as ‘a man hotly tipped to be the next big Bollywood Star from the UK’ by Timeout London, Kishan is currently generating a lot of interest both in the UK and across India. Training in Hindustani Classical Music from a young age under Sri Sapna Das, as well as renowned artists such as Jagjit Singh and Pandit Rajan Sajan Mishra during their respective UK tours, he has attained versatility to sing in many different styles and genres, be it Ghazals, Sufi, Bollywood and in English. This has allowed him to connect with a wide range of audiences with his music and soulful voice. Kishan is accompanied on guitar by Hav Singh.
About Absolute Bollywood
Absolute Bollywood brings the best of Bollywood to London. Founded by Indian dance innovator Jennie Jethwani, Absolute Bollywood strives to make Bollywood and Indian dance more accessible in the UK. The company offers exciting entertainment for every special occasion and high quality instruction for students of all skill and experience levels.
About the PwC Hindu Network
PwC knows that networking contributes to personal and professional fulfilment and success. That’s why the firm is home to thirteen people diversity networks. Each network has specific objectives tailored to its membership. But all of them share the aim of providing a sense of community, inspiring and supporting diverse talent and raising awareness of diversity within the firm. As well as the personal development and support aspects of the networks, they have a focus on identifying new business opportunities for the firm, supporting its strategy to be a leader in each of our chosen markets. The PwC Hindu Network which is run by a team of thirteen and hosts events throughout the year. Founder and Chair Nilesh Solanki created the network in 2005 to bring together Hindu professionals to collaborate, network and learn.