Mrs Lopa Patel, Founder of award-winning Asian Lifestyle portal Redhotcurry.com, has become the first Indian woman to be elected as a Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) - the world's largest professional body of marketing, with 50,000 members worldwide. CIM has 1905 fellows with women making up about 10% of this group. Fellowship of the Institute is conferred upon members with a proven track record of expertise in marketing at the most senior level.

Lopa, who has been a CIM member since 1990, attained the Institute's Diploma in Marketing in 1991, became a Chartered Member in 1998 and has worked in marketing throughout her career. She said on her election "Good marketing is crucial for business success in today's competitive environment and this applies to all companies- from large multinationals to SMEs - in all sectors. I hope to work with the Institute in increasing the professional recognition of excellence in marketing."

Lopa, who is of Indian (Gujarati) descent said of her start in marketing "like most young Asians at the time, I chose to study a science degree to please my parents. Although my first job was with ICI, a company that manufactured chemicals, I sought a role in marketing from the outset." She then left ICI to start her own venture, a business-to-business direct marketing services company.

Lopa's second business venture, Redhotcurry.com, is a popular South Asian Lifestyle portal. "I was only able to start Redhotcurry.com because of the skills I had acquired through out my career", said Lopa, "particularly the marketing, IT and data skills I acquired through CIM courses".

"A career in marketing can be hugely rewarding. For young Asians, the industry offers the double opportunity of career progression and entrepreneurship - the industry thrives on many self-employed, freelance workers and consultants. It has also become a more "respectable profession" in the minds of older Asians" Lopa added.

BIOGRAPHY OF LOPA PATEL

Lopa is Founder of Asian Lifestyle Portal, Redhotcurry.com, and Managing Director of DMS DIRECT Ltd - a business-to-business services company - that she founded with her husband in 1991. Before this, she was on ICI's fast-track graduate training scheme. She joined ICI after attaining a joint honours degree from the University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology (UMIST).

Her professional skills lie in marketing; direct marketing, database management, IT, and e-commerce. Apart from being a Fellow of the CIM, she is also a Fellow of the Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM) and a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturing & Commerce (RSA). She has attained a Diploma in Marketing (1991), a Diploma in Direct Marketing (1994) and is one of the few Chartered Marketers in the UK (1998).

Lopa has been recognised with the accolade of 'Asian Woman of the Year 2005' (Media Category), she was also awarded the 'Asian Jewel Award' 2005 (Media, Arts & Sports Category) and appears in the Asian Who's Who International.

ABOUT THE CIM

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) is the world's largest professional body of marketing, with 50,000 members worldwide. Since its inception in 1911, The Chartered Institute of Marketing has campaigned constantly for greater recognition and support for the marketing profession. Through market leading industry awards, practical courses, and professional services which members can call upon whenever they are needed, CIM is committed to delivering world-class support to equip marketers with the knowledge and tools they need to stay ahead and excel in this most challenging of professions. For further details visit http://www.cim.co.uk