Dhruv Patel (born 18 August 1983) attended Forest School in East London, attaining straight 'As' in his A-Levels and a sixth form scholarship for academic achievement. He went on to read Computing at Imperial College London, graduating in 2004. During his time at University he sat on the committees of both the Hindu and Indian Societies and completed the summer vacation scheme at city law firm Slaughter and May. In his final year at University, as part of the Freshminds 'Ones to Watch' survey, he was chosen by his peers as one of the Top 100 from his age group in the UK most likely to be an outstanding success.

He went on to join Barclays Capital in the City of London where he worked as a technology sector analyst and then as an executive developer on the Money Markets portfolio for the financial company's technology team. Patel set up the City Hindus Network (CHN) in 2005 during his spare time. The CHN is a not for profit organisation to promote networking, education and charity fundraising amongst Hindu professionals. Patel's ethos was to emulate the success of networks like 'The City Circle' and 'The City Women's Club' in taking over the reins where the "old boys network" was seen to be diminishing.

Patel left Barclays in 2006 to become a private investor involved in property, insurance underwriting and collective investment schemes. He also acts as a director of family business the Clockwork Group where he is head of finance, in charge of investments and chairs the Trustees group pension scheme.

He continues to chair the City Hindus Network (CHN) and has grown its membership to over 750 professionals and established a mentoring scheme for the members. He was selected for the Faith in Leadership program for emerging faith leaders from Britain's communities that he completed in 2008 graduating in their first ever class.

Click here to read 'City Hindus Network, a saffron revolution in the City of London?'
For further information visit www.cityhindusnetwork.org.uk

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