RICHARD BRANSON IS TOP BUSINESS ROLE MODEL FOR ASIANS!
(17 August 2004)

Richard Branson has topped the list of UK Asians' most inspirational business role models in a straw poll by the British Library. Six non-Asians also feature in the top ten including Bill Gates and Anita Roddick. A total of 186 people completed the survey, contained in a feedback report at a series of Asian Business Events at the British Library, showcasing the Library's services for entrepreneurs and businesses. Among the questions, respondents were asked to name their top three business role models. Over 80% of the audiences at the events - mainly from the business and entrepreneurial sector - were British Asians, 70% of them under the age of 44.

With 38.2% of the total vote Richard Branson topped the survey, followed by Cobra Beer founder Karan Bilimoria in second place with 15.6% of the votes. Microsoft magnate Bill Gates came in third with 15.2% of the votes, followed by Anita Roddick with 7.1%. High profile Asian businessmen Sir Gulam Noon, Lakshmi Mittal and Mike Jatania also made it into the top ten, along with James Dyson, Barbara Cassini and US investor Warren Buffett.

Richard Branson was more popular among men than women. He was named top role model for 42% of the men questioned compared with 29% of the women. A wide range of role models were mentioned by respondents including Her Majesty the Queen, Meera Syal, Enzo Ferrari, Estee Lauder, Gordon Ramsay and Donald Trump.

The top ten business role models by % of votes were:

1: Richard Branson 38.2 %
2: Karan Bilimoria 15.6%
3: Bill Gates 15.1%
4: Anita Roddick 7.0%
5: Gulam Noon 4.3%
6: James Dyson 3.8%
7: Warren Buffett 2.2%
8: Barbara Cassani 2.2%
9: Mike Jatania 2.2%
10: Lakshmi Mittal 2.2%

Sky News pesenter Lisa Aziz chaired one of the Asian business events. She said: "I think this is a very interesting result. It shows that UK Asians are now looking beyond their own community for role models not just in business, but in other areas of activity. It's perhaps an indication that many Asians now see themselves as much more a part of mainstream UK society. I was pleased to see two women in the top ten but would have liked to have seen more. There are so many successful Asian women out there who I find inspiring, and I would have liked to have seen some of them on the list."

Atma Singh, Policy Advisor for Asian Affairs, Mayor's Office at the London Development Agency, said: "The survey of business role models for British Asian people carried out by the British Library is excellent reading. It confirms the view that British Asian people have multi-ethnic business role models, Asian and non-Asian. This is good news for the success of a multi-cultural London and Britain."

The British Library offers a range of services for businesses including the Library's newly opened Business & Intellectual Property Centre. This provides a wealth of business information including market research reports and online business databases, all available free of charge. Also available is the Library's Business Research Team which will conduct costed business research. The Library also hosts an Asian Business Website offering information for Asian and non-Asian businesses aiming to target the Asian UK market.