Tej Lalvani
Lalvani in 2018
Born (1974-07-13) 13 July 1974[1][2]
EducationUniversity of Westminster
OccupationBusinessman
Known forDragons' Den (2017–2021)
TitleCEO, Vitabiotics
SpouseTara Ruby (m. 2011)
ParentKartar Lalvani (father)
FamilyGulu Lalvani (uncle)
Dino Lalvani (cousin)
Websitewww.tejlalvani.com

Tej Lalvani (born 13 July 1974) is a British businessman and the CEO of the UK's largest vitamin company Vitabiotics, founded by his father Kartar Lalvani. He is best known for being one of the "dragons" on the BBC television series Dragons' Den from 2017 to 2021.

According to the Sunday Times Rich List in May 2019, he has a net worth of £390 million.[3]

Early life and business career

Lalvani grew up in Bangalore, Karnataka Southern India, and spent his childhood between India and the United Kingdom before settling in London when he was 16. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from Westminster Business School at the University of Westminster in 1996,[4] and started his career working in the warehouse of his father's company Vitabiotics, before succeeding him as CEO.[5]

Along with his wife, Lalvani runs a property investment business in London.[6]

In 2012, Lalvani was named Young Entrepreneur at the Asian Business Awards as well as Young Entrepreneur of the Year by TiE in 2013.[7] In October 2017, he ranked at number 48 on the GG2 Power List of the most influential Asian people in Britain.[8]

In November 2020, Lalvani was included on The Grocer's NPD Power List.[9] He was awarded this based on his contribution to and innovation in the UK grocery industry during the pandemic.

Lalvani shares his business insight and experience across various social platforms - most notably, LinkedIn. In 2020, he was named one of LinkedIn’s ‘Top UK Voices’.[10]

In November 2021, the University of Westminster awarded him with an honorary doctorate.[11] In May 2022, the University of Westminster appointed Lalvani as a visiting professor at Westminster Business School.[12]

Dragons' Den

Lalvani succeeded Nick Jenkins as the next "dragon" on Dragons' Den in 2017.[13]

In January 2021, Lalvani announced his departure from the show to focus on the expansion of his business.[14] Series 18, which will be his final series, started in spring 2021.

Personal life

Lalvani is of Indian descent.[15] The Lalvani family is of Sindhi heritage.[16] In 2011, Lalvani married Tara Ruby in London.[2] His mother is a former Miss India and a Miss World runner-up.[7]

Lalvani lives in London and aside from his business interests, he composes music and plays drums, keyboard and guitar.[17][6]

References

  1. ↑ "MR TEJ LALVANI director information. Free director information. Director id 911707603". Company Check. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  2. 1 2 "Footlights". www.telegraphindia.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  3. ↑ Times, The Sunday (12 May 2019). "Rich List 2019: profiles 301–348=, featuring Tim Martin and Simon Cowell". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  4. ↑ "Dragons' Den star Tej Lalvani is aiming to slay rivals in vitamin market". Evening Standard. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  5. ↑ "Dragons' Den: Who are new Dragons Jenny Campbell and Tej Lalvani?". The Telegraph. 17 August 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  6. 1 2 "Biography". www.tejlalvani.com. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  7. 1 2 Mackrell, Daniel (20 August 2017). "Who is Tej Lalvani? – the new businessman on Dragons' Den". Metro. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  8. ↑ Siddique, Haroon (26 October 2017). "Riz Ahmed climbs Asian power list – but can't topple Sadiq Khan". the Guardian. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  9. ↑ Tatum2020-11-20T10:36:00+00:00, Megan. "NPD Power List: who are the players pushing innovation through a pandemic". The Grocer. Retrieved 17 March 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ↑ "LinkedIn Top Voices 2020: UK Influencers". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  11. ↑ "University of Westminster awards Honorary Doctorate to acclaimed businessman Tej Lalvani". www.westminster.ac.uk. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  12. ↑ "University of Westminster appoints acclaimed businessmen Tej Lalvani as Visiting Professor". www.westminster.ac.uk.
  13. ↑ "First look at new Dragons' Den line-up: entrepreneurs Jenny Campbell and Tej Lalvani join BBC2 show". Radio Times. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  14. ↑ "Tej Lalvani to leave Dragons Den". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  15. ↑ "How Dragons' Den's Tej Lalvani made his millions". BBC News. 4 December 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  16. ↑ Palijo, Waseem (8 January 2019). "Most billionaires in India today once resided in Pakistan's Sindh". Daily Times. Archived from the original on 7 May 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  17. ↑ White, Anna. "Welcome to London's new luxury hotspot". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
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