Leicestershire-based businessman Dr Nik Kotecha has been honoured for his outstanding contribution to East Midlands communities by being presented with a special award by East Midlands Chamber.
Dr Kotecha is the former chair of Loughborough-based Morningside Pharmaceuticals and current chair of the Randal Charitable Foundation.
Presenting the award, East Midlands Chamber president Stuart Dawkins spoke about Dr Kotecha’s journey from arriving with his family in Leicester from Uganda, aged six years old, to become a scientist specialising in drug discovery and then an entrepreneur whose business with a moral purpose has exported around the world.
“He has advised a number of national Government departments, being recognised for his work by the awarding of an OBE,” said Stuart. “Closer to home, he has brought this expertise to many working groups here in the Midlands. Among many other things, he is a pro-chancellor at De Montfort University and is a Deputy Lieutenant of Leicestershire.
“After securing the legacy of his business via a disposal last year, he is now devoting his time to the charity he founded with his wife Moni in 2017, the Randal Charitable Foundation, aiming to save lives and significantly improve the quality of life for those in need – in the UK and around the world. That is a wonderful track record.”
Dr Kotecha said: “I was humbled to receive the Outstanding Contribution to East Midlands Communities Award because helping to directly save and significantly improve the lives of people living in the UK and globally has been a lifelong passion of mine.
“Throughout my professional career, I’ve always ensured that every business venture has given back to communities and society as a whole, and more recently this work has continued through my family’s Randal Charitable Foundation.
“I’m also immensely proud to continue to volunteer on a number of local, regional and national boards and advisory groups, which are working to nurture and grow innovation, entrepreneurship and productivity across the business community.
“Much of this work is focused on ensuring we deliver sustainable long-term growth, which in turn secures jobs and the future prosperity of our many diverse communities.”
