Lopa Patel MBE Appointed as a Non-Executive Director of EMBG
Digital Media Entrepreneur Lopa Patel MBE has been appointed a Non-Executive Director of the Ethnic Minority Business Group (EMBG) - a not-for-profit organisation founded in 2005 to promote the interests of the ethnic minority business community in Britain. Founded by four entrepreneurs, EMBG currently has in excess of 2000 business members in London and the South East, a network of 4000 contacts nationally and links with key government departments and business networks.
Lopa Patel, founder of South Asian lifestyle portal, Redhotcurry.com, brings a wealth of business experience to EMBG. She started her career at Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) before leaving to set up her first business, a direct marketing services company. A science graduate, she has used the combination of her technical and marketing skills in guiding several industry organisations and business networks over the years, particularly those involved in encouraging women and entrepreneurship. In 2009, Lopa was recognised with an MBE for services to Britain's creative industries. She said of her appointment, "I am very impressed with the ethos of EMBG, it is an entrepreneur-led group for entrepreneurs. I hope to encourage greater emphasis on digital entrepreneurship, women in business and most importantly, in getting young entrepreneurs started".
CEO of EMBG, Alok Mitra welcomed Lopa saying, "Encouraging greater entrepreneurship among all sectors of society is vital for the future of Britain. As a business group we are conscious of the need to encourage women, ethnic minorities and the young to take the plunge in setting up businesses and ensuring that they continue to flourish. Lopa's unique combination of skills which bridge digital entrepreneurship, education, charity and technology sectors mean that she brings a valuable insight to the Board. We couldn't hope to find a better role model for EMBG".
About EMBG
The Ethnic Minority Business Group (EMBG) was formed in 2005 as a not-for-profit organisation to promote, advance and coordinate the interests of the ethnic minority business community in their trade, business or professional activities; to facilitate the integration of these businesses into the mainstream; promote entrepreneurship, encourage profitable growth and to use trade to break down barriers between communities in order to foster greater social cohesion, corporate governance and social responsibility.
Directors of EMBG are Alok Mitra FCA (CEO), Larry Rach and John Roberts with Lopa Patel MBE as a Non-Executive Director. Dr Rami Ranger MBE FRSA is patron to the group which currently has Patrick S Frederick, Dr Tim Rhodes and Dilip Joshi MBE as advisors. Visit http://www.embg.co.uk for further information
Notes for the Editor:
About Mrs Lopa Patel MBE FCIM, FIDM FRSA
Lopa Patel is an entrepreneurial businesswoman and an inspirational leader with extensive experience in the creation, direction and successful development of businesses within the 'New Media' sector. She has an outstanding record of achievement that has been recognised throughout the industry via numerous accolades including the Windrush Award 2003 for being an Outstanding Champion for the Internet & Technology and she was voted 'Asian Woman of the Year' in 2005 (Media). She was recognised with an MBE for services to the creative industries in The Queen's Birthday Honours List 2009.
Following the achievement of a Diploma in Computing and graduation from the University of Manchester, Institute of Science and Technology, Lopa was accepted onto Imperial Chemical Industries' (ICI) fast track training scheme. Potential was quickly recognised, leading to a progressive career within that Company. After leaving ICI in 1991, Lopa founded DMS Direct Ltd, a marketing services company, where she was responsible for formation and strategic leadership of the business including new product and software applications development, marketing and key account management.
During 2001 she devised and set up Redhotcurry.com from concept to the most successful business of its type in Britain including a website that generates over 3 million hits and in excess of 40,000 unique visitors per month. This was a pioneering South Asian lifestyle site and it has retained its leadership position even within an increasingly competitive market.
Throughout her career Lopa has continued to be involved in committee work and other extra-curricular activities, supporting the development of entrepreneurship activities. Roles have ranged from being a London Branch Committee Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Vice Presidency of Women in Direct Marketing (WDM) to co-founding eWomen, a networking group aimed specifically at women involved in the New Media Sector. In 2008, Lopa took up her first public appointment as Non-Executive Director of Becta, the government's lead agency on elearning in the UK. In 2010, she became a Trustee of Raha International, an educational charity developing sponsorship programs for under-privileged children in Kenya. She is an enthusiastic public speaker on entrepreneurship and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects and has recently joined the STEM Ambassadors network.
Lopa is well qualified in marketing and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), the Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM) and the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Commerce & Manufacturing (RSA).
Born in Kenya, East Africa, Lopa is married with one daughter. She lives in North West London.
Free press photos of Lopa Patel are available from:
http://www.lopapatel.com/lopaphotos.html
For further details contact Alok Mitra:
T: 0845 094 0310
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