Iqbal Ahmed facts for kids

Iqbal Ahmed (born 4 August 1956) is a successful businessman from Bangladesh who moved to Britain. He lives in Manchester and became very wealthy by importing shrimp. His companies, Seamark and Ibco, are involved in many different things like shipping, building hotels, and the food business. Because of his success, he became one of the richest people in the United Kingdom. He is also the highest-ranked British Bangladeshi on the famous Sunday Times Rich List.

Early Life and Moving to the UK

Iqbal Ahmed was born in Balaganj Thana, Sylhet District, which was then part of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). In 1971, when he was 15 years old, he moved to the United Kingdom.

He studied at the City College in Westminster. A few years later, he joined his family's business in Oldham. His brothers, Kamal and Bilal, also joined the business later as it grew bigger.

Building a Business Empire

Seamark products sold in Bangladeshi grocery stores

In March 1992, Iqbal Ahmed started the Seamark Group with his brothers. He became the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company. Seamark is a company that processes frozen food, and Ibco supplies food to restaurants and catering businesses.

Iqbal Ahmed also owns a hotel development and a Thai restaurant and bar called Vermilion and Cinnabar. This restaurant opened in 2007 and is located near the City of Manchester Stadium.

The Ahmed family's business in Manchester earns a lot of money each year. They employ about 2,000 people in Bangladesh, where Iqbal Ahmed was born. Their products, like Mr Prawn, Lily, Classic, and Tiger, are popular brand names. They are sold all over Europe and America. In 2001, they even opened new sales offices in the United States, in New Jersey and Brooklyn, New York City.

Because of his success with shrimp, people in Britain sometimes call him 'Mr Shrimp' or 'King Prawn'.

Iqbal Ahmed has also been involved in important groups. In 2006, he was chosen to represent the British Frozen Food Federation. He also joined an economic thinking group called the New Enterprise Council in 2007. He has advised government committees on trade and business.

Awards and Special Recognition

Iqbal Ahmed has received many awards for his hard work and success.

In 2001, he was given the title of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This was for his great contributions to international trade.

He was also honored at the Legends of Industry Award for his work in importing and exporting goods. In June 2012, he won the international entrepreneur of the year award at the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. He was nominated for the Businessman of the Year award at the British Muslim Awards in 2013 and 2015. In December 2014, he received an award from the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) for helping Britain's exports.

Personal Life and Giving Back

Iqbal Ahmed lives in Wilmslow, Cheshire, and his brothers Bilal and Kamal live nearby. He enjoys traveling, playing golf, tennis, and swimming in his free time.

He also cares about helping others. Iqbal Ahmed runs his own foundation to support and improve the lives of poor people in his home country of Bangladesh. He is also the founder chairman of the NRB Bank project, which helps Bangladeshis living abroad contribute to their country's economy. In 2014, he helped set up a secondary school and college in Sylhet.

See also

• British Bangladeshis
• Business of British Bangladeshis
• List of British Bangladeshis