Hakim | 12/11/2019

Hakim Group Win National Business Award!

The Hakim Group has been recognised with a national prize at the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards at a ceremony in London.

CEO Imran Hakim was named the was named the winner of the Scale Up award, coming ahead of an impressive line-up shortlisted to the accolade, who each won their respective region’s awards.

The awards celebrate successful and trailblazing businesses who make a positive impact on their society and the economy.

The Scale Up category specifically recognises businesses who are experiencing rapid growth.

This latest accolade reinforces that the Group has an award-winning culture at the heart of its success, which has seen it also named as the Sunday Times’ Best Company to Work for in 2018.

Starting his first business at the age of 16 and later founding the Hakim Group in 2006, Imran has worked with a number of entrepreneurial initiatives, including the Prince’s Trust Founders Circle, working with His Royal Highness Prince Charles to eradicate poverty across communities in Asia.

Hakim Group has been recognised with a national prize at the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Some of Britain’s best-known business figures are former EY Entrepreneur of the Year winners, including Stelios Haji-Ioannou, who founded the low-cost airline easyJet; Dragon’s Den investor Peter Jones, who started-up Phones International Group; and Richard Reed, one of the founding partners of Innocent Drinks.

“When you get a group of people that share the same vision and are doing it together as a collective, great things happen,” said Mr Hakim.

“As I walked up to collect this award amongst the very best businesses in the UK, I felt humbled by the dedication and proud of the commitment shown every day by our many teams. To all of you, a heartfelt thank you for what you do every day, striving to be the best version of yourself that you can be, both in, and out of work”.

“I am immensely proud of all our practice teams and everyone at HakimHQ. This award is dedicated to all of you who are part of the wider HG family, as well as one other very special person who is sadly no longer with us but his spirit as well as his values (Honesty, Ambition, Kindness, Industry and Meticulous) have certainly been the catalyst for success at HG.

“My late father came to the UK in the 60s with just 50p to his name. He worked two jobs to make ends meet and although didn’t have the opportunity to pursue his entrepreneurial aspirations, made many sacrifices so that I could chase my dreams.

“When I started my first practice, I needed to borrow £2000 which my father lent me, I can still remember his words loud and clear…. he said, ‘Son, don’t let me down’.

“As I walked onto the stage, I could not help but feel emotional as I cast my mind back to those words from my father some 20 years ago. So this one is dedicated to you dad. I hope I didn’t let you down!”

More Events

SOLVING THE COVID-19 PUZZLE

Hakim | 09/04/2020

The Hakim Group has been recognised with a national prize at the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards at a ceremony in London. CEO Imran Hakim was named the was..

Read Article

Latest NEWS

Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024

Hakim | 04.06.2024

Hakim Group is thrilled to announce its recognition in the prestigious annual Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024 list. This esteemed accolade is awarded exclusively to companies that meet..

HG embrace ‘movement’ for mental health awareness

Hakim | 04.06.2024

Team members at Hakim Group HQ joined together for their annual two-hour long walk in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week, embracing this year’s theme of ‘movement’. Mental Health Awareness..

Hakim Group return with regional roadshows to support practice development

Hakim | 24.07.2023

Following a successful inauguration, Hakim Group has returned with their second annual regional roadshows to support independent practices to thrive. Roadshows were held in Bolton, Winchester, Warwick and Edinburgh throughout..

Podcast with Lorna and the Optical Journal

Hakim | 16.02.2023

Daniel speaks with Lorna Robinson, the head of buying for the Hakim Group. https://lnkd.in/eyzBcDVN

How practice owners can remain resilient through turbulent times

Hakim | 13.02.2023

Imran Hakim, CEO of Hakim Group, reflects on the current business environment, holding fast to practice values, and the benefit of community The last normal year that practices had..

BBC Radio 4 Interview

Hakim | 03.02.2023

Imran Hakim shared his thoughts on Alex Forsyth’s political discussion on BBC Radio 4! Imran joined Dehenna Davison MP, SNP’s Defence Spokesperson Dave Doogan MP, and Shadow Culture Secretary Lucy..

Hakim Independents Shine at 2022 Optician Awards

Hakim | 07.12.2022

The stars of the optical industry were out in force at the 2022 Optician Awards and it was brilliant to see so many Hakim Group representatives among them – flying..

The Right Optics podcast with Lorna Robinson

Hakim | 12.09.2022

Our Head of Buying, Lorna Robinson, recently participated in the podcast series “The Right Optics” by Silmo to share her insight and expertise regarding optical retail. Lorna discusses her love..

Optometrist at Walsh Opticians made a life changing discovery!

Hakim | 19.08.2022

In early July, 2022, an Optometrist at CJM Walsh Ophthalmic Opticians made a life changing discovery. Alexandra has been a qualified optician since 2021 and has worked at the practice..

Hakim Group launches Equal frame range

Hakim | 10.08.2022

Head of buying at Hakim Group, Lorna Robinson, talks to OT about the company’s first exclusive frame range, Equal

Wellbeing on the menu at Hakim Group

Hakim | 10.08.2022

Hakim Group’s mental health steering group campaigns for staff wellbeing by launching a recipe book to boost healthy eating on a budget. This has been led by their head of..

Hakim Group Takes To The Road

Hakim | 10.08.2022

A series of events to support practice development were held in London, Birmingham and Manchester in June by the Hakim Group. The roadshow was designed to give independent practices the..

Hakim Group launches regional roadshows to support practice development

Hakim | 14.07.2022

Hakim Group has staged its inaugural regional roadshows to support Independent practices to thrive. Roadshows were held in London, Birmingham and Manchester throughout June to give practices the chance..

Hakim Group expands portfolio in Scotland

Hakim | 10.06.2022

Scottish-based independent, Urquhart Opticians, has joined the Hakim Group. The optical group, which has eight practices in Kilmarnock, Ayr, Troon, Prestwick, Kilwinning, Stranraer, Saltcoats and West Kilbride, was originally established..

Reaching new heights: Hakim Group focuses on wellbeing through walking

Hakim | 25.05.2022

Hakim Group HQ staff walked to Darwen Tower in Lancashire on 12 May in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week (9-15 May). A group of 50 staff spent two hours climbing to..

“The economy is just like one big, giant hose pipe”

Hakim | 24.05.2022

In an OT and Hakim Group webinar, behavioural economist, Roger Martin-Fagg, was joined by practice owners from across the five nations to discuss the post-COVID economy and reflect on the impact..

Hakim Group hosts retreat for 20 Irish practice members

Hakim | 07.05.2022

The Hakim Group has delivered its first retreat for its Irish practices, hosting 20 managers and directors over a weekend in County Galway. The retreat, which took place 22-24 April,..

Hakim Group welcomes Cameron Optometry

Hakim | 24.04.2022

Scottish independent Cameron Optometry has joined the Hakim Group. Optometrist and managing director of Cameron Optometry, Ian Cameron (pictured), said he was “really excited” about the business’ future with the group. He..

Value Of Sight to Vulnerable Patients In Isolation

Hakim | 20.04.2022

Value Of Sight to Vulnerable Patients In Isolation In an interview published in Optometry Today, Hakim Group operations director, Zubair Hakim, shared his advice on serving key workers and the..

Hakim Group delivers first pre-reg retreat

Hakim | 10.03.2022

The educational retreat forms part of Hakim Group’s new programme to support pre-reg optometrists. Hakim Group has hosted an inaugural educational retreat for pre-registration optometrists within the independent group’s practices…

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

Hakim | 20.01.2022

What does happiness mean to you? Head of People, Sally Litchfield, discusses HG’s commitment to ensuring happiness is at the forefront of the group. Read the full article here: https://www.aop.org.uk/ot/professional-support/optical-organisations/2022/01/20/the-pursuit-of-happiness..

Leading Independents Join Hakim Group

Hakim | 22.10.2021

Leading Independents Join Hakim Group Barnard Levit Optometrists and Tompkins Knight & Son, two of the leading independent optical practices in the UK, have joined the Hakim Group. Barnard Levit..