Syed Ahmed (businessman)

Syed Ahmed, born on 17 September 1974, is a British businessman of Bengali descent. He has made notable contributions in the field of technology as the founder and CEO of Savortex, a prominent British technology company. Syed Ahmed's entrepreneurial journey extends beyond his professional endeavors, as he also gained recognition through his participation in the 2006 edition of The Apprentice, a popular UK television series. In the competition, Syed Ahmed showcased his business acumen and determination, ultimately finishing in fifth place.

Background
Syed Ahmed, originally from Sylhet, Bangladesh, relocated to the United Kingdom with his parents when he was just nine months old. Growing up in East London, he embraced the multicultural environment that shaped his upbringing.

As the founder and CEO of Savortex, Syed Ahmed has played a pivotal role in driving the company's success. Demonstrating his commitment to its growth and global expansion, he successfully raised over £1.5 million in funding. Notably, Syed Ahmed initially invested his own capital to finance the business, highlighting his belief in its potential.

Syed's expertise and passion for entrepreneurship have led him to deliver impactful speeches within the young business enterprise community and the broader enterprise community in Britain. He has also shared his insights at events like the Cleaning Show held at the London Excel Exhibition Centre, engaging with audiences and contributing to the discourse on business and innovation.

The Apprentice

Ahmed appeared as a candidate in series two of The Apprentice, a British reality television show hosted by Lord Alan Sugar. The series was broadcast from February to May 2006.

Post Apprentice
Syed Ahmed has made notable appearances in various media platforms, showcasing his diverse expertise and engaging with audiences.

He was invited as a paper reviewer on Sky News, where he participated in a celebrity panel to review current and upcoming newspapers. Syed Ahmed has also been interviewed on prominent television programs such as BBC Breakfast, where he joined candidate Jo Cameron for an insightful discussion. Additionally, he made an appearance on GMTV, further highlighting his media presence.

In another television endeavor, Syed Ahmed took part in Sky One's program titled "The Match," which featured 80 celebrities competing for a spot in a celebrity football squad, showcasing his sporting talents.

Furthermore, a documentary titled "Syed Ahmed - Hot Air?" was aired on Sky One in June 2007. The program documented Syed Ahmed's ambitious venture to establish a new company specializing in hand and body dryers. With a personal investment of £20,000, he aimed to develop the company within a three-month timeframe. The documentary followed the journey of SA Vortex's hand dryer products, providing insights into the launch and development process.

Charity work
Syed is an ambassador for international charity WaterAid which supports projects all over the world and Bangladesh.

Awards and nominations
In January 2015, he was nominated and won the Entrepreneur of the Year award at the British Muslim Awards.

See also

 British Bangladeshi
 Business of British Bangladeshis
 List of British Bangladeshis

References

External links
 

1974 births
Living people
Bangladeshi Muslims
British Muslims
Bangladeshi emigrants to England
British people of Bangladeshi descent
Naturalised citizens of the United Kingdom
Bangladeshi businesspeople
The Apprentice (British TV series) candidates
Businesspeople from London
People from Sylhet
People educated at Sir John Cass Redcoat School