Growth Strategies Conference

Speakers


	Perween Warsi CBE

	Founder and Chief Executive, S&A Foods

Perween began her business making ethnic finger foods from her own kitchen. In 1986 she founded S&A foods, winning her first major contract to supply chilled and frozen dishes to ASDA and Safeway stores.

In 1989 the first S&A Foods factory was built in Derby, creating over 100 jobs for the area. By 1996 the success of S&A had led to the need for larger premises and a new bespoke factory was built next to the original site. In the same year Perween received the Woman Entrepreneur of the World award.

Now the company produces around one million ready meals a week, employing over 600 people in its high-tech factory. It has also pioneered numerous award winning concepts in the market, this includes The Curry Pot at ASDA, Pick ‘n’ Mix at Asda, Waitrose Noodle Bar, Balti Meals and the Meal for One.

The company has also amassed a catalogue of awards, highlights include; Quality Supplier Award from ASDA in 2000 and a John Sainsbury Award for Learning and Development (IGD) at the Food Industry Award in 2003.

In 1997, Perween was awarded an MBE in the British New Year’s Honours list and in 2002 Perween received a CBE in the Queen’s Jubilee Honours list. In 2005, Perween was awarded the First Women Lifetime Achievement Award alongside Baroness Hogg, chairman of 3i.