In 2003 Poonam founded PG Paper Company Ltd, originally operating from her family home and has developed the business into the hugely successful and globally recognised brand it is regarded as today, exporting to 55 countries worldwide. Her continuous hard work and determination has assured it is one of the UK’s fastest growing paper companies providing customised paper solutions for customers.
Most recently, Poonam’s ambitious nature was recognised when awarded an OBE on the Queen’s honour list for services to business and charity. Her charitable interests are women-centric issues, underprivileged children, animal conservation, and gender equality and she works alongside many charities to offer her support.
She continues to strive and improve her business achievements and charitable commitments across the globe.
Tell us about yourself, your background and what you do currently.
I was born and brought in Delhi and am the oldest of four children, only girl to my father. I come from what was a conservative family then where women didn’t work. I completed schooling from DPS, Mathura Road, Graduation from Sri Ram College of Commerce in BA Hons Economics, MBA in International business and marketing from Fore School of Mgt. I started by business back in 2003 in Scotland from a small room in the house with a small grant given by the government and I am CEO of PG Paper, a worldwide paper trading company operating globally. My other business are: SAPP Holdings, SAPP International, SAPP Property, Envisage Dental Health.
Tell us about any current projects or initiatives you wish to promote:
I like to do my own thing so I will tell you this when I am done. I am already promoting multiple projects but no point talking about them till they see the light of the day.
What has been your biggest challenge in achieving your success?
I work in male dominated industry where most people I know are second generation in business, my biggest challenge has been and still is to break into this industry and grow my business which has a lot of barriers of entry and create a successful business out of it.
What has been your greatest achievement personally?
My greatest personal achievement is undoubtedly my two amazing daughters. They are smart, funny, creative and intelligent and we have a very close relationship. My oldest daughter has travelled many countries with me, accompanying me on business trips when she was baby. Juggling my personal duties along with running my business was tough but feels like an achievement now.
If you weren’t doing what you do now, what would you be doing?
I would never be doing anything else, it just wouldn’t be an option for me. I would have always been running a business of some sort.
Who has been your biggest inspiration?
I have had many role models and I take inspiration from people I learn from. My father and my uncle, my teachers all of them inspired me. I was inspired by Mother Theresa, Indira Gandhi when growing up, they kind of set up a benchmark for what a woman is capable of achieving.
What does the future hold for you?
The plan for my future is to continue doing what I am doing with the view to expanding to more countries and also diversifying my business as I have been doing in past few years.
