Pictured above: Lisa Cawdron, Director of Property at Berryman

Representatives of Nottingham's most successful Indian owner-managed businesses debated issues including domicile status and overseas investment at an event run by the newly-created British Indian Business Forum, hosted by city law firm Berryman.

The Forum was founded by ten of Nottingham's most successful Indian entrepreneurs, including Thalej Vasishta, owner of specialist global immigration law practice Paragon Law, Atul Joshi, Director of Indus Valley Furniture Designs, and Michael Johal, owner of various property investment businesses and clothing and fashion retailers. 

Lisa Cawdron, Director of Property at Berryman, explains: "A large proportion of Berryman's top clients are successful Indian owner-managed businesses. In our recent business-planning discussions with them, we learned about the newly-formed Indian Business Forum, set up by ten of Nottingham's most successful Indian entrepreneurs, including five of our clients."

The British Indian Business Forum holds regular events for members and aims to provide opportunities to network and exchange business ideas and information amongst its invited membership and their guests. Its founders also aim to mentor fledgling Indian businesses and encourage involvement in politics locally and raise the profile of Indian businesses. 

"Berryman hosted the latest event - the first of 2010 and also the first Forum event to which guests were invited - with a number of our Partners making keynote presentations on a selection of topics that were of particular relevance and importance to Indian family-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, at the current economic time," says Lisa. 

Guests included the Forum's founder members and a further fifteen representatives from Nottingham's  Indian business community, invited to sample the Forum, all business owners, from a variety of sectors including healthcare, property investment, retail and professional services. 

Co-founder of the Forum, immigration law specialist and MD of Nottingham's Paragon Law, Thalej Vasishta, explains: "This event covered practical and legal considerations surrounding domicile issues, tax issues, and alternative business structures, including family partnerships. Partners from Berryman's Private Client team explained the importance for business owners, of keeping affairs in order, by having a Will in place and considering a Power of Attorney as part of their planning for the future."

Bob Bhabra, Area Manager for Business Link Nottinghamshire, who is supporting the Forum by chairing its meetings adds: "The latest event presented an excellent opportunity to learn from Berryman lawyers about a selection of issues of interest and particular relevance to Indian entrepreneurs and owner/managers of Indian businesses."

The Forum's other founding members are Peter Johal, Arv Soar, owner of Property Investment Portfolio; Sukhi Ghuman, founder and owner of Octavian Security; Dominic Hayer owner of Goosedale Conference & Banqueting; Sam Sangha, founder of Asiana, importers and distributors of oriental food products; Amarjit Gill, chairman of the British Dental Association and clinical non-executive director of Dental Express; and Atul Joshi, MD of Viva Homestore.