Kavita Oberoi
Encyclopedia
Kavita Oberoi is a female entrepreneur in the United Kingdom.
In 2001 Oberoi started the successful IT and Business Healthcare Consultancy, Oberoi Consulting, of which she is now Managing Director.
Oberoi is notable for her motivational speaking, fundraising for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
as the Chair of the Global Girls’ Fund Board, under the patronage of HRH Princess Benedikte of Denmark
, and for starring in the Channel 4 TV series “The Secret Millionaire
” and the BBC’s “The Apprentice: You’re Fired
”.
During her early years, Oberoi's family lived above her father’s plumbing and bathroom shop, in Bradford, where she was introduced to the world of business by helping her father in his shop.
She says, “My father died when I was only 15, but I will always remember how his entrepreneurial spirit inspired me. He came to England in the 1960s with nothing, and built up a really successful business through sheer hard work and determination”.
As a result of her parents' encouragement, and contrary to cultural custom at the time, Oberoi became the first woman in her family to get a University degree and be allowed to work.
, and embarked on a highly successful career with Bayer Pharmaceuticals
where she quickly established herself as one of their leading medical representatives.
After missing out on a promotion with Bayer, Oberoi made the decision to go it alone, which she now says is the best thing that ever happened to her in career terms.
She spotted a business opportunity, providing clinical audit
and IT
training and business consulting for GP
practices, and she quickly won a contract with International Blue Chip Pharmaceutical company, Pfizer
. By August 2001, demand for her services had become so great that she established Oberoi Consulting.
Already well known in Derbyshire
, where her business is based, Oberoi came to receive wider public attention in August 2008 when she appeared on Channel 4's hit show The Secret Millionaire
.
, PBC
Clusters, Private Healthcare Providers, PCTs
, Pharmacy Groups
and the Pharmaceutical Industry, providing healthcare solutions, clinical systems training and clinical audits.
Independently, Oberoi also gives motivational speeches and seminars, primarily to the business community.
Oberoi's other business interests include commercial property
, and the provision of conference facilities and serviced offices, and in January 2010 Oberoi acquired a stake in the global, award winning security company – Octavian
Oberoi's latest business ventures are Adherence Science of which she is a shareholder and Director, and Oberoi InConsortia. While Adherence Science focuses on supporting patient compliance to medication through the use of mobile phones, Oberoi InConsortia is a consortium
which aims to support the move towards practice-based commissioning
and away from Primary Care Trust
commissioning, while offering assistance to the new social enterprises and GP consortia that form as a result of the Government White Paper on NHS reform.
In 2007 the NRI presented Oberoi with the NRI Achiever Pinnacle Award in the category of Business Empress which recognises single minded dedication and hard work in pursuit of ones goals.
In 2009 Oberoi was named in the HBOS report as one of “Britain’s 100 Most Entrepreneurial Women”. She was also short-listed for the business and commerce award in the Lloyds Bank Jewel Awards and was a judge and mentor for the HBOS Social Entrepreneur Awards.
The Secret Millionaire has inspired Oberoi to become more involved with charity work - Oberoi says; "I want to be able to share my success and inspire and help people. My father was well known for his philanthropy, and I want to follow in his footsteps."
Oberoi is now a Director of one of the charities, Martha's Oasis, that she supported on Channel 4's Secret Millionaire.
In April 2010 Oberoi was appointed Chair of the Global Girls’ Fund Board. The Global Girls Fund seeks to raise £10million to support international Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting and is dedicated to empowering all girls and young women to reach their full potential and take action to change the world for the better.
As part of a series about religion and wealth Oberoi discussed how as a practising Hindu
, prosperity is actively encouraged within her faith.
“Spending Review: The BBC East Midlands Today Debate” - A discussion about the expected impact of the Government's spending review.
Oberoi joined Shaf Rasul and Tom Mursell
to provide "Five Top Tips for Finding Work", give some hints and tips to the young.
Panel member with Ruby Wax
and Mark Firth
Evan Davis interviewed Oberoi regarding 'compliance'
and the need for rules and regulations in the business world.
Oberoi joined Andrew Gilligan
to review the following morning's papers
Oberoi joined the presenters of Derby Radio to give a reading at Derby Cathedral
Oberoi joined Declan
and Naga
as a special guest on the show
Oberoi took part in a programme hosted by Gail Porter
showcasing the diverse roles in which women are now employed.
Oberoi went undercover in the Ladywood
area of Birmingham
to a community project called 'Sisters with Voices'.
Oberoi joined fellow "Secret Millionaire
" Carl Hopkins on the couch with Richard & Judy reviewing the Secret Millionaire
programme.
"A Secret Millionaire
visits Ladywood" - interview
"Secret Millionaire
in Brum" - interview
An interview with BBC Radio Derby about Oberoi giving up her luxury lifestyle for a far more stark existence as part of the "Secret Millionaire
" programme.
"A Woman's Guide to Working for Herself" - by Sandra Hewett
In 2001 Oberoi started the successful IT and Business Healthcare Consultancy, Oberoi Consulting, of which she is now Managing Director.
Oberoi is notable for her motivational speaking, fundraising for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is a global association supporting the female-oriented and female-only Scouting organizations in 145 countries. It was established in 1928 and has its headquarters in London, England. It is the counterpart of the World Organization of the Scout...
as the Chair of the Global Girls’ Fund Board, under the patronage of HRH Princess Benedikte of Denmark
Princess Benedikte of Denmark
Princess Benedikte of Denmark, Princess of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, , , is the second daughter of King Frederick IX of Denmark and Ingrid of Sweden...
, and for starring in the Channel 4 TV series “The Secret Millionaire
Secret Millionaire
The Secret Millionaire is a reality television show which originated in the UK, in which millionaires go incognito into impoverished communities and agree to give away tens of thousands of pounds . Members of the community are told the cameras are present to film a documentary...
” and the BBC’s “The Apprentice: You’re Fired
The Apprentice: You're Fired!
The Apprentice: You're Fired!, sometimes named You're Fired!, The Apprentice: You're Hired! or You're Hired!, is a British television show made by the BBC and filmed at Riverside Studios as a spin-off from the reality TV hit The Apprentice...
”.
Biography
Raised in a traditional Indian family, Oberoi credits her mother with giving her the determination to seek out an education for herself, and her father for giving her the entrepreneurial spirit which has made her such a success in business.During her early years, Oberoi's family lived above her father’s plumbing and bathroom shop, in Bradford, where she was introduced to the world of business by helping her father in his shop.
She says, “My father died when I was only 15, but I will always remember how his entrepreneurial spirit inspired me. He came to England in the 1960s with nothing, and built up a really successful business through sheer hard work and determination”.
As a result of her parents' encouragement, and contrary to cultural custom at the time, Oberoi became the first woman in her family to get a University degree and be allowed to work.
Early career
Oberoi left university with a First Class BSc (Hons) Degree in Applied ChemistryChemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
, and embarked on a highly successful career with Bayer Pharmaceuticals
Bayer
Bayer AG is a chemical and pharmaceutical company founded in Barmen , Germany in 1863. It is headquartered in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany and well known for its original brand of aspirin.-History:...
where she quickly established herself as one of their leading medical representatives.
After missing out on a promotion with Bayer, Oberoi made the decision to go it alone, which she now says is the best thing that ever happened to her in career terms.
She spotted a business opportunity, providing clinical audit
Clinical audit
Clinical audit is a process that has been defined as "a quality improvement process that seeks to improve patient care and outcomes through systematic review of care against explicit criteria and the implementation of change"....
and IT
Information technology
Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
training and business consulting for GP
General practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
practices, and she quickly won a contract with International Blue Chip Pharmaceutical company, Pfizer
Pfizer
Pfizer, Inc. is an American multinational pharmaceutical corporation. The company is based in New York City, New York with its research headquarters in Groton, Connecticut, United States...
. By August 2001, demand for her services had become so great that she established Oberoi Consulting.
Already well known in Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
, where her business is based, Oberoi came to receive wider public attention in August 2008 when she appeared on Channel 4's hit show The Secret Millionaire
Secret Millionaire
The Secret Millionaire is a reality television show which originated in the UK, in which millionaires go incognito into impoverished communities and agree to give away tens of thousands of pounds . Members of the community are told the cameras are present to film a documentary...
.
2001 to present
Oberoi's company, Oberoi Consulting, now has clients such as GP PracticesGeneral practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
, PBC
Practice-based commissioning
Practice Based Commissioning is a United Kingdom Department of Health initiative designed to target financial drivers towards primary care. PBC is about engaging practices and other primary care professionals with the NHS commissioning of services...
Clusters, Private Healthcare Providers, PCTs
NHS Primary Care Trust
An NHS primary care trust is a type of NHS trust, part of the National Health Service in England. PCTs commission primary, community and secondary care from providers. Until 31 may2011 they also provided community services directly. Collectively PCT are responsible for spending around 80% of the...
, Pharmacy Groups
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
and the Pharmaceutical Industry, providing healthcare solutions, clinical systems training and clinical audits.
Independently, Oberoi also gives motivational speeches and seminars, primarily to the business community.
Oberoi's other business interests include commercial property
Commercial property
The term commercial property refers to buildings or land intended to generate a profit, either from capital gain or rental income.-Definition:...
, and the provision of conference facilities and serviced offices, and in January 2010 Oberoi acquired a stake in the global, award winning security company – Octavian
Oberoi's latest business ventures are Adherence Science of which she is a shareholder and Director, and Oberoi InConsortia. While Adherence Science focuses on supporting patient compliance to medication through the use of mobile phones, Oberoi InConsortia is a consortium
Consortium
A consortium is an association of two or more individuals, companies, organizations or governments with the objective of participating in a common activity or pooling their resources for achieving a common goal....
which aims to support the move towards practice-based commissioning
Practice-based commissioning
Practice Based Commissioning is a United Kingdom Department of Health initiative designed to target financial drivers towards primary care. PBC is about engaging practices and other primary care professionals with the NHS commissioning of services...
and away from Primary Care Trust
NHS Primary Care Trust
An NHS primary care trust is a type of NHS trust, part of the National Health Service in England. PCTs commission primary, community and secondary care from providers. Until 31 may2011 they also provided community services directly. Collectively PCT are responsible for spending around 80% of the...
commissioning, while offering assistance to the new social enterprises and GP consortia that form as a result of the Government White Paper on NHS reform.
Honours and philanthropy
In 2005, Oberoi was awarded the prestigious NRI Pride of India Gold Award in recognition of her achievements and received a special commendation in the Entrepreneur of the Year Section in the Asian Woman of Achievement Awards. Oberoi was then given a Fellowship of the RSA (The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts Manufacture and Commerce).In 2007 the NRI presented Oberoi with the NRI Achiever Pinnacle Award in the category of Business Empress which recognises single minded dedication and hard work in pursuit of ones goals.
In 2009 Oberoi was named in the HBOS report as one of “Britain’s 100 Most Entrepreneurial Women”. She was also short-listed for the business and commerce award in the Lloyds Bank Jewel Awards and was a judge and mentor for the HBOS Social Entrepreneur Awards.
The Secret Millionaire has inspired Oberoi to become more involved with charity work - Oberoi says; "I want to be able to share my success and inspire and help people. My father was well known for his philanthropy, and I want to follow in his footsteps."
Oberoi is now a Director of one of the charities, Martha's Oasis, that she supported on Channel 4's Secret Millionaire.
In April 2010 Oberoi was appointed Chair of the Global Girls’ Fund Board. The Global Girls Fund seeks to raise £10million to support international Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting and is dedicated to empowering all girls and young women to reach their full potential and take action to change the world for the better.
TV and radio appearances
- October 2010 - 4thought.tv
As part of a series about religion and wealth Oberoi discussed how as a practising Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
, prosperity is actively encouraged within her faith.
- September 2010 - BBC One
“Spending Review: The BBC East Midlands Today Debate” - A discussion about the expected impact of the Government's spending review.
- November 2009 - BBC Radio One
Oberoi joined Shaf Rasul and Tom Mursell
Tom Mursell
Tom Mursell is a young entrepreneur, media spokesperson and speaker in the area of careers advice and jobs. He was a participant in the Channel 4 documentary Yeardot which followed 15 young people over the period of 12 months.-Projects:...
to provide "Five Top Tips for Finding Work", give some hints and tips to the young.
- 6 May 2009 - BBC2 The Apprentice - 'You're Fired!'The Apprentice: You're Fired!The Apprentice: You're Fired!, sometimes named You're Fired!, The Apprentice: You're Hired! or You're Hired!, is a British television show made by the BBC and filmed at Riverside Studios as a spin-off from the reality TV hit The Apprentice...
Panel member with Ruby Wax
Ruby Wax
Ruby Wax is a BAFTA nominated American comedian who made a career in the United Kingdom as part of the alternative comedy scene in the 1980s.-Early life:...
and Mark Firth
- 21 March 2009 – BBC 'The Bottom Line'
Evan Davis interviewed Oberoi regarding 'compliance'
Regulatory compliance
In general, compliance means conforming to a rule, such as a specification, policy, standard or law. Regulatory compliance describes the goal that corporations or public agencies aspire to in their efforts to ensure that personnel are aware of and take steps to comply with relevant laws and...
and the need for rules and regulations in the business world.
- 12 January 2009 - Sky News
Oberoi joined Andrew Gilligan
Andrew Gilligan
Andrew Paul Gilligan is a British journalist best known for a 2003 report on BBC Radio 4's The Today Programme in which he said a British government briefing paper on Iraq and weapons of mass destruction had been 'sexed up', a claim that ultimately led to a public inquiry that criticised Gilligan...
to review the following morning's papers
- 24/12/08 - BBC Radio Derby
Oberoi joined the presenters of Derby Radio to give a reading at Derby Cathedral
Derby Cathedral
The Cathedral of All Saints , is a cathedral church in the City of Derby, England. It is the seat of the Bishop of Derby, and with an area of around is the smallest Anglican cathedral in England.-History:...
- 28 November 2008 - "Working LunchWorking LunchWorking Lunch was a television programme broadcast on BBC Two which covered business, personal finance and consumer news between 1994 and 2010. The programme was first aired on 19 September 1994. It had a quirky, relaxed style, especially when compared to other BBC business shows such as World...
"
Oberoi joined Declan
Declan Curry
Declan Curry is an Irish journalist, presenter and businessman, currently employed by the BBC and best known as the former Business Correspondent for BBC Breakfast.-Early career:Curry studied chemistry at Imperial College, London...
and Naga
Naga Munchetty
Naga Munchetty is a British journalist and television presenter. She currently presents BBC World News at 0500GMT on weekday mornings on BBC News Channel and BBC World News and makes regular appearances on BBC Breakfast...
as a special guest on the show
- 12 September 2008 - Careers for Women
Oberoi took part in a programme hosted by Gail Porter
Gail Porter
Gail Porter is a Scottish television presenter.- Life and career :Porter attended Portobello High School. She studied a BTEC HND in Media Production at West Herts College...
showcasing the diverse roles in which women are now employed.
- 12 August 2008 - "Secret MillionaireSecret MillionaireThe Secret Millionaire is a reality television show which originated in the UK, in which millionaires go incognito into impoverished communities and agree to give away tens of thousands of pounds . Members of the community are told the cameras are present to film a documentary...
"
Oberoi went undercover in the Ladywood
Ladywood
Ladywood is an inner-city area in Birmingham, England. It is a council constituency, managed by its own district committee. The constituency includes the smaller Ladywood ward and the wards of Aston, Nechells and Soho. In June 2004, Birmingham City Council conducted a city-wide "Ward Boundary...
area of Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
to a community project called 'Sisters with Voices'.
- 11 August 2008 - Channel 4 "Richard & JudyRichard & JudyRichard & Judy was a British magazine/chat show which was presented by married couple Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan. It originally aired on Channel 4 from 2001 to 2008 but later moved to digital channel Watch in October 2008. It featured the world's most famous stars, along with their Book Club...
"
Oberoi joined fellow "Secret Millionaire
Secret Millionaire
The Secret Millionaire is a reality television show which originated in the UK, in which millionaires go incognito into impoverished communities and agree to give away tens of thousands of pounds . Members of the community are told the cameras are present to film a documentary...
" Carl Hopkins on the couch with Richard & Judy reviewing the Secret Millionaire
Secret Millionaire
The Secret Millionaire is a reality television show which originated in the UK, in which millionaires go incognito into impoverished communities and agree to give away tens of thousands of pounds . Members of the community are told the cameras are present to film a documentary...
programme.
- 11 August 2008 - BBC Radio WM
"A Secret Millionaire
Secret Millionaire
The Secret Millionaire is a reality television show which originated in the UK, in which millionaires go incognito into impoverished communities and agree to give away tens of thousands of pounds . Members of the community are told the cameras are present to film a documentary...
visits Ladywood" - interview
- 11 August 2008 - BRMB
"Secret Millionaire
Secret Millionaire
The Secret Millionaire is a reality television show which originated in the UK, in which millionaires go incognito into impoverished communities and agree to give away tens of thousands of pounds . Members of the community are told the cameras are present to film a documentary...
in Brum" - interview
- 11 August 2008 - BBC Radio Derby
An interview with BBC Radio Derby about Oberoi giving up her luxury lifestyle for a far more stark existence as part of the "Secret Millionaire
Secret Millionaire
The Secret Millionaire is a reality television show which originated in the UK, in which millionaires go incognito into impoverished communities and agree to give away tens of thousands of pounds . Members of the community are told the cameras are present to film a documentary...
" programme.
Further reading
"The New Rules of Business" - by Dan Matthews"A Woman's Guide to Working for Herself" - by Sandra Hewett