Peter Virdee born and raised in Birmingham has been working in the property business for the last 19 years. Peter is a founding Partner of B & S Property and has interests in numerous other businesses. B & S Property has set up HK & JH Charitable Trust which contributes significantly in relieving people all over the world of their hardship or distress as a result of local, national or international disaster or by reason of social or economic circumstances.
Peter has had an invaluable impact through his commitment and dedication in supporting worldwide causes. Over the years, a considerable amount has been donated to various charities, including The Princes Trust (www.princes-trust.org.uk), Mencap (www.mencap.org.uk), Sense International (www.senseinternational.org.uk), British Red Cross Chile (www.redcross.org.uk), Marie Curie Cancer Care (www.mariecurie.org.uk), The Jaralam Trust as well as contributions towards the Tsunami disaster. Last year, through supporting the Caudwell Charity (caudwellchildren.com), we were able to pay for terminally ill children to go to Disney land.
With regards to other social entrepreneurial charity work, Peter has an aspiration to work hard and create enough wealth in order to donate 50% of his wealth to charitable causes.
He has solely set up Sardar Jagat Singh Charitable Trust in India (named after his late grandfather) which has successfully carried out 400 cataract operations from start to finish. The charity has sponsored 80 children starting from primary education in the hope that this sponsorship will lead to future scholarships. Furthermore he’s UK based contribution and donations are made through The Virdee Foundation (www.petervirdee.com).
This same charitable trust has provided support to Bharuch Welfare Hospital based in Gujarat which holds 700 beds. This Charity has made a positive contribution to the Gujarat crisis whereby 172 houses were built in the area following the earthquake in 2001.
Peter is a Patron of the NSPCC (www.nspcc.org.uk), in support of this charity he has contributed a substantial amount of money in helping to build Hargreaves Centre in Merseyside. Alongside this children’s charitable work, he has had a large amount of involvement in the Full Stop Appeal.
Through being an active supporter of the Guru Ram Das Project (www.grdp.co.uk) he has been able to sponsor The Women’s Alcohol Service at Foundation 66. This sponsorship will ensure that women who suffer from drug and alcohol abuse and those who are affected by domestic violence will continue to receive support for an additional year.
Peter has personally (through his own wealth) sponsored a number of other charities which are close to his heart including Variety Club (www.varietyclub.org.uk), Living the Dream Trust (www.livingthedreambandd.org.uk/), Leonard Cheshire Disability (www.lcdisability.org) and Cancer Research UK (www.cancerresearchuk.org). In his desire to assist disadvantaged children in the developing world he has helped to build St Paul’s Children Care Centre in Nairobi.
Currently he is he first Sikh Patron on the board of the English National Opera and sits on the UK philanthropy board of Coutts & Co Private bank UK, in recent times he has been invited to St James Palace to meet the Queen and was part of a select Sikh Delegation to welcome HRH The Prince of Wales at the Indian war memorial in Neuve-Chapelle in France. In 2010 Peter was given the honour of laying a wreath along side Baroness Thatcher to commemorate those who contributed to the 1st and 2nd World Wars. (www.bandshomes.co.uk).
Recent initiative and involvements also include supporting the Loomba Trust which supports widows around the world, Sankara eye foundation which has helped 730,000 regain sight to date, the Libya Foundation which raised over £500k in one night alone and Pratham a childrens education charity which rasied over £2.2m in one single event.
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Thursday, 16 June 2011
World for Libya
On Wednesday 15th June I attended the “World for Libya” charity ball at the Four Seasons Hotel in London.
Reem and Salah Mussa’s team created a fantastic evening and in such a short period of time, to be able to create such a successful evening within a short 4 weeks is truly an exceptional achievement.
It was great to see such a good cause being helped and supported by so many people, the auction being a great success and resulting in necessary funds being raised to help those in need in Libya. With lots of great entertainment and a wonderful atmosphere.
A success and wonderful evening.
Pratham Summer gathering
A warm summers evening, drinks and canapés, the setting was perfect for Pratham’s summer gathering. Pratham is a charity for children in India and was seeded in Mumbai by UNICEF and Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai in 1994 with a mission to ensure "every child in school and learning well". The organisation was formed as a tripartite partnership between the government, the corporate sector and citizens. Today the mission has expanded to 21 of India’s 28 states and is the largest non-governmental children's charity working to provide quality education to underprivileged children in rural and urban India.
An excellent evening raising awareness, an organisation providing a solution.
I praise and continue to support all the hard work done by Prathams.
http://www.pratham.org.uk/
An excellent evening raising awareness, an organisation providing a solution.
I praise and continue to support all the hard work done by Prathams.
http://www.pratham.org.uk/
Premier Summer Ball
Summer has started in fantastic fashion; on Saturday 4th June 2011 I was honored to attend one of the best dinner party events I have experienced. Mr Athwal’s 25 years of business acumen was reflected in his organisation and execution or this truly special evening.
“A Bollywood night to remember” was written on my initial invite, and true to these words, this evening was a night I will never forget.
I must thank Mr Athwal and everybody who made this evening possible, a wonderful and magical night.
Setting the standards high
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Peter Virdee invited to join Coutts & Co Private Bank UK Philanthropy board
Peter Virdee has been honored and is delighted to be joining the board of Coutts & Co Private Bank UK Philanthropy.
“In charity there is no excess”
Francis Bacon (1561-1626) British statesman and philosopher.
Coutts private bank, have an impressive 300 years history of involvement in the charity sector. Most famously, Angela Burdett-Coutts was one of the greatest Victorian philanthropists of her day making unprecedented inroads into helping those less fortunate than herself.
Today this charitable tradition is proudly upheld. The Coutts Charitable Trust and the Coutts Foundation maximize the impact of giving by supporting numerous good causes.
Unquestionably by far the most important part of Peter Virdee’s values and beliefs is that of helping others, those that are in need. In recognition of Peter’s contributions and willingness to always help others in need, Peter has been requested to sit on the Coutts UK Philanthropy board.
“I have spent my life earning money, but my wealth has come from what I have given”
-Peter Virdee
“In charity there is no excess”
Francis Bacon (1561-1626) British statesman and philosopher.
Coutts private bank, have an impressive 300 years history of involvement in the charity sector. Most famously, Angela Burdett-Coutts was one of the greatest Victorian philanthropists of her day making unprecedented inroads into helping those less fortunate than herself.
Today this charitable tradition is proudly upheld. The Coutts Charitable Trust and the Coutts Foundation maximize the impact of giving by supporting numerous good causes.
Unquestionably by far the most important part of Peter Virdee’s values and beliefs is that of helping others, those that are in need. In recognition of Peter’s contributions and willingness to always help others in need, Peter has been requested to sit on the Coutts UK Philanthropy board.
“I have spent my life earning money, but my wealth has come from what I have given”
-Peter Virdee
English National Opera
ENO believes opera should be for everyone and is committed to developing new audiences through an innovative and dynamic programme, created by imaginative stage directors and designers from across the arts and performed by leading artists.
ENO traces its roots back to 1931 when Lilian Baylis established the Sadler’s Wells Opera Company at the newly re-opened the Sadler’s Wells Theatre. Baylis had been presenting opera concerts and theatre in London since 1898 and was passionate about providing audiences with the best theatre and opera at affordable prices, a belief that remains today at the heart of English National Opera.
We are very proud and honored that Peter Virdee has been kindly asked to become a patron for the English National Opera. Peter has been supporting the ENO and values their work.
ENO’s work is internationally recognised and we enjoy longstanding relationships with leading artists, directors and conductors. This world-class reputation underpins their many partnerships with houses and festivals around the world where their work is regularly staged.
ENO traces its roots back to 1931 when Lilian Baylis established the Sadler’s Wells Opera Company at the newly re-opened the Sadler’s Wells Theatre. Baylis had been presenting opera concerts and theatre in London since 1898 and was passionate about providing audiences with the best theatre and opera at affordable prices, a belief that remains today at the heart of English National Opera.
We are very proud and honored that Peter Virdee has been kindly asked to become a patron for the English National Opera. Peter has been supporting the ENO and values their work.
ENO’s work is internationally recognised and we enjoy longstanding relationships with leading artists, directors and conductors. This world-class reputation underpins their many partnerships with houses and festivals around the world where their work is regularly staged.
First Sikh Business Awards
The Worlds First Sikh Awards "Inspiring and encouraging generations around the world..."
Winston Churchill once said ‘British people are highly indebted and obliged to Sikhs for a long time.’
The Sikh Awards took place at Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Sunday October 10th 2010, and will recognise the special contribution Sikhs have made to British society in the fields of business, sport, entertainment, charity, the media, service and education.
Hosting this prestigious event was Ms Sonia Kaur Deol an acclaimed presenter reporter who has worked for the BBC and is at the top of her field. Sonia truly enchanted the stage contributing hugely to the success of the awards. The Judges panel was carefully selected, the UK’s first Asian judge, Sir Mota Singh QC, is among the judges for the Sikh Awards, along side B&S groups own co founder and director Peter Virdee.
The evening was a great success, the honor felt in the ball room by each individual attending not only by the nominees or winners was clearly present.
The clear success of this event is due to the hard work over many months by each individual and a team dedicated to not only make themselves proud but every Sikh around the globe. The event organisers Opulence (www.opulenceinternational.com) kept the whole evening running smoothly and the guests enjoying the ceremony.
Following the inaugaral Sikh Awards, there will be an annual event in different parts of the world. The 2011 Sikh Awards are likely to take place in the USA or Canada, and the Awards are set to return to the UK in 2013.
Winston Churchill once said ‘British people are highly indebted and obliged to Sikhs for a long time.’
The Sikh Awards took place at Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Sunday October 10th 2010, and will recognise the special contribution Sikhs have made to British society in the fields of business, sport, entertainment, charity, the media, service and education.
Hosting this prestigious event was Ms Sonia Kaur Deol an acclaimed presenter reporter who has worked for the BBC and is at the top of her field. Sonia truly enchanted the stage contributing hugely to the success of the awards. The Judges panel was carefully selected, the UK’s first Asian judge, Sir Mota Singh QC, is among the judges for the Sikh Awards, along side B&S groups own co founder and director Peter Virdee.
The evening was a great success, the honor felt in the ball room by each individual attending not only by the nominees or winners was clearly present.
The clear success of this event is due to the hard work over many months by each individual and a team dedicated to not only make themselves proud but every Sikh around the globe. The event organisers Opulence (www.opulenceinternational.com) kept the whole evening running smoothly and the guests enjoying the ceremony.
Following the inaugaral Sikh Awards, there will be an annual event in different parts of the world. The 2011 Sikh Awards are likely to take place in the USA or Canada, and the Awards are set to return to the UK in 2013.
The Inaugural Saragarhi Cup Polo Match
The British Army Polo Team were crowned champions at a charity match attended by the Prince of Wales, after a nail biting game against a team of India's star players.
The inaugural Saragarhi Cup Polo Match on Saturday saw the army team take on India's Sherdills team in a fundraising challenge in aid of two South Asian charities.
The British Asian Trust and The Bhumi Vardaan Foundation were the beneficiaries of the match, which was held at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club near Windsor.
The final score was 4-3 with the British Army Polo Team clinching victory thanks to a last minute goal.
The Prince was on hand to present the trophies and meet guests at a post match reception.
Organised by the Anglo-Sikh Heritage Trail, the event also featured traditional Bhangra music and dance originating from the Punjab region and associated with Sikh farmers celebrating the coming of the harvest season.
Peter Virdee enjoyed the match from the VIP enclosure watching the skill shown from each player and was left impressed by the dedication and sportsmanship shown from both teams
The inaugural Saragarhi Cup Polo Match on Saturday saw the army team take on India's Sherdills team in a fundraising challenge in aid of two South Asian charities.
The British Asian Trust and The Bhumi Vardaan Foundation were the beneficiaries of the match, which was held at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club near Windsor.
The final score was 4-3 with the British Army Polo Team clinching victory thanks to a last minute goal.
The Prince was on hand to present the trophies and meet guests at a post match reception.
Organised by the Anglo-Sikh Heritage Trail, the event also featured traditional Bhangra music and dance originating from the Punjab region and associated with Sikh farmers celebrating the coming of the harvest season.
Peter Virdee enjoyed the match from the VIP enclosure watching the skill shown from each player and was left impressed by the dedication and sportsmanship shown from both teams
Indian Memorial in Neuve-Chapelle France
On Monday 19th July 2010, Peter Virdee was given the honor of attending and representing fellow sikhs at the Indian Memorial in Neuve-Chapelle in France.
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall attended the commemoration at Neuve-Chappelle to pay tribute to the sacrifice of Sikh, Muslim and Gurkha troops during the First World War. The memorial commemorates 4,742 Indian soldiers with no known grave who died in the Battle of Neuve-Chappelle.
The memorial was unveiled by the Earl of Birkenhead on 7 October 1927. The Earl of Birkenhead (Frederick Edwin Smith), who was present in his role as Secretary of State for India, had served in France in WWI from 1914 to 1915 as a staff officer with the Indian Corps.
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall attended the commemoration at Neuve-Chappelle to pay tribute to the sacrifice of Sikh, Muslim and Gurkha troops during the First World War. The memorial commemorates 4,742 Indian soldiers with no known grave who died in the Battle of Neuve-Chappelle.
The memorial was unveiled by the Earl of Birkenhead on 7 October 1927. The Earl of Birkenhead (Frederick Edwin Smith), who was present in his role as Secretary of State for India, had served in France in WWI from 1914 to 1915 as a staff officer with the Indian Corps.
Peter Virdee - NSPCC Patron
Peter Virdee is a full patron of the NSPCC charity and has hosted and sponsored a number of events over the past two years raising money for the charity. He is also an active supporter of other child focussed charities across the world.
Peter Virdee Meets Her Royal Highness
Peter Virdee had the pleasure and honour of meeting the Queen recently at a visit to St James Palace.
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