Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Businessman Paul Bassi details his path to success in new book

by LAUREN CODLING

AN ASIAN property mogul has paid tribute to his family for laying the foundations of his future, as his new book detailing the path to success was set to be released on Thursday (25).


Millionaire businessman Paul Bassi CBE’s debut book Brick by Brick is the story of his life experiences, the secrets behind entrepreneurship and an exploration of his accomplishments.

Drawing on stories from his family’s arrival in the UK from India to his own achievements across his various business ventures, Bassi also details the disciplines he believes lead to success.

Bassi is the chief executive of property group Real Estate Investors plc. In an exclusive interview with Eastern Eye earlier this month, he revealed why he wanted to focus on his family’s beginnings in England.

“I felt I owed it to my family to recognise their journey,” the entrepreneur said, ahead of the book’s release.

“People talk about my generation and the next generation of my family being successful, but in relative terms, the previous generation were much more successful.”

Bassi’s grandfather Bhagat came to the UK in the late 1950s, with his son Santokh, Bassi’s father. Despite Bhagat being illiterate and Santokh having the equivalent of £2 in his pocket, the pair secured factory work and settled in the Midlands. Eventually, they moved to London “in search of better prospects”.

They faced hardships but gave Birmingham-based Bassi and his siblings a loving and secure upbringing.

“Despite everything, they brought all of us up and put us in the position that we are in,” he said. “It would have been disrespectful not to mention their story.

“But that is the story of most immigrants in the UK,” he added. “No matter where they are from – Greece, Italy, Eastern Europe – that story can be told by most of them.”

He also recalls the racism which he and his family encountered, in what he described as an “ugly Great Britain”.

But Bassi is pleased by the progression made in society. The new generation, including his own children, “just embrace the world and get on with each other”.

“They have friends of every nationality on the planet, but when I grew up, I was called P**i on a daily basis,” he said. “It was a horrible society to live in.”

When he was young, Bassi said he always assumed he would be successful.

“I had a strong work ethic and quickly developed a knack of developing profits,” he recalled. “It came easy to me.”

He also cites his Sikh beliefs as having a major influence on his path to success. Bassi, who was largely taught about religion by his grandmother, learned that Sikhism’s key values – respect, honesty, never fearing anyone or wanting to be feared, and sharing the proceeds of work with others – were essential to his growth.

“The values that relate to success are very much values of the Sikh faith,” he said. “A lot of that was grounded into me at a young age and subconsciously sat with me.”

The 57-year-old revealed that he was initially approached to write Brick by Brick while in his early 30s. However, he admitted feeling embarrassed by the idea and declined.

“I didn’t think I knew enough,” he said, adding he also declined the same offer when he was in his 40s.

“But now I’m in my late 50s, I thought this would be a nice way to record my family history and the progress of my business,” he explained.

“I do think that when you’ve been as fortunate as I’ve been, you have a responsibility to share some of the knowledge you’ve picked up throughout the years. It allows other people to do well and prosper.”

Bassi believes that some people think success is down to talent and luck. However, he considers this to be a misconception – every person can be fruitful in their preferred field.

“People believe somebody else can be that footballer, journalist or businessman,” he said. “They don’t believe it belongs to them, but if you follow a matter of disciplines, there is no reason why you can’t be that person.”

A keen philanthropist, he currently devotes his time to several projects. For instance, all the profits from Brick by Brick will go to the West Midlands based Bond Wolfe Charitable Trust.

He plans to give out 1,000 free copies of the book to local schools.

“I do think that a lot of what I talk about could be on the syllabus,” he revealed. “Nobody teaches us that we can all be successful.”

His other projects include the Sand Valley School in Birmingham, an institute he helped to launch in 2016. The school educates around 200 pupils who come from mostly underprivileged backgrounds. Some are migrant children, who arrived in the UK without any English language skills.

It is therefore a proud moment for Bassi when some of these pupils leave the school with high grades, with aspirations to attend university.

Bassi is married and father to three children – Terri, Bobby and Nikita. Bobby has interests in business and property, while his youngest daughter Nikita is pursuing a singing career.

Asked about his proudest moment, surprisingly he does not list any of his business accomplishments. It isn’t even receiving his CBE at Buckingham Palace in 2010. Instead, he insists his children’s achievements top the list.

“Whether they’ve won a 25-metre swimming race or graduated from university, all those moments are proud ones for me,” he said.

When he isn’t working, Bassi reveals that taking care of his health is important to him. A few years earlier, the tycoon fell ill, which he now believes was down to burning himself out.

At the time of the interview, Bassi was due to go on a holiday to Ibiza and he is also a regular gym-goer.

However, Bassi rarely switches off from his business, although he acknowledges that he needs time to relax.

“I always carry the strategy and the vision around with me, but I know I need to keep the balance right –whether that is playing tennis, going to the gym or going to a couple of raves in Ibiza,” he laughed.

Brick by Brick: Success in Business and Life is available to buy from Thursday (25).

More For You

Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions
Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions

THE Sri Lanka government on Wednesday (2) formed a committee to recommend measures regarding the UK's decision to impose sanctions on three former military commanders who led the campaign that crushed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009.

Health minister Nalinda Jayatissa told reporters that foreign minister Vijitha Herath, justice minister Harshana Nanayakkara and deputy minister of defence Aruna Jayasekara would comprise the committee that would consult experts for the purpose.

Keep ReadingShow less
Gujarat-blast-ANI

The blast caused the factory’s concrete roof to collapse, scattering debris and body parts across the area, officials confirmed. (Photo: ANI)

ANI

Death toll rises to 21 in Gujarat firework factory explosion

AN EXPLOSION at an illegal firecracker factory in Gujarat's Deesa town killed 21 people and injured several others on Tuesday, officials said.

The blast caused the factory’s concrete roof to collapse, scattering debris and body parts across the area, officials confirmed.

Keep ReadingShow less
Child benefit payments set to rise for UK families

Child benefit, normally paid every four weeks directly into bank accounts, has undergone significant changes in recent months (Photo: Getty Images)

Child benefit payments set to rise for UK families

MILLIONS of British families are set to receive a financial boost as child benefit payments increase from April 7, according to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

From next week, parents will receive £26.05 per week for the eldest or only child, amounting to £1,354.60 annually - up from the current rate of £25.60. For each additional child, payments will rise to £17.25 weekly, totalling £897 per year - an increase from the present £16.95 rate. This represents a 1.7 per cent increase across all payment categories.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anant Ambani Walks 140 Km in Spiritual Tribute on 30th Birthday

Anant’s padyatra is a reflection of the larger cultural fabric of India

Getty

Anant Ambani embarks on a 140-kilometer spiritual journey on foot to celebrate 30th birthday

Anant Ambani, a director of Reliance Industries Limited and a prominent figure in Indian industry, has chosen a unique and spiritual way to mark his 30th birthday. As part of his celebrations, he is currently undertaking a padyatra—a traditional pilgrimage on foot—from Jamnagar to Dwarka, covering a distance of approximately 140 kilometres. The journey reflects his devotion to Lord Dwarkadhish, the presiding deity of the Dwarkadhish Temple in the city of Dwarka.

Anant began his journey from his family’s residence in Moti Khavdi, Jamnagar, and has been progressing steadily for the past five days. Walking an estimated 10-12 kilometres each night, he travels under the protection of Z+ security and local police, ensuring his safety during this significant journey. The padyatra is expected to take between seven to nine days in total, with plans to conclude at the Dwarkadhish Temple in time for his birthday on April 10.

Keep ReadingShow less
New TB action plan proposed as cases surge

Government urged experts to come forward to help draw up a new five-year TB action plan. (Photo: Getty Images)

New TB action plan proposed as cases surge

BRITAIN on Wednesday (2) urged health experts and sufferers of tuberculosis (TB) to come forward to help draw up a new five-year action plan as it deals with record rises in the disease.

In 2023, England recorded its largest annual increase (11 per cent) in cases since enhanced surveillance began in 2000.

Keep ReadingShow less