Vijay Patel
(1949-), Chief Executive, Waymade PharmaceuticalsSitter in 1 portrait
Born in Kenya where his father had migrated for work, Patel was five when his father died, leaving the family facing poverty. His resourceful mother started a nursery from their home, the income from which helped raise the family. Patel and his brother Bhikhu Patel came to Britain with British passports due to their father having opted for British citizenship (rather than Kenyan). With money-making ambitions from the offset, he chose to become a pharmacist. Working for a small pharmacy business, he learned the ropes. With a £6000 loan he opened his first pharmacy, expanding to 25. Later when his brother joined to take over operations, he moved into supplying drugs from the pharmaceutical giants and then progressing into manufacturing, marketing and sales of their own drugs. The brothers have amassed a fortune of over £500 million.
by Tom Miller
chromogenic print, 6 November 2001
NPG x125420
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