My journey in life started with a dream to make a name for myself in the professional world, but who would’ve thought that I would end up where I am today?
I’ve overcome many challenges, worked with many wonderful people and been many things– from a determined businesswoman and philanthropist to a proud mother – and they all contributed to my achievements in one way or another.
My career has been defined by determined entrepreneurship, business acumen and international charity work, though my journey is far from over.
All of my experiences and struggles have taught me so much about myself, my family and what matters in life, so I am proud of what I have achieved and who I have become.
1972 Apprenticeship at Sitara Trading, parents’ garment factory in Macclesfield, Cheshire
1973 General Manager, Sitara Trading, Macclesfield, Cheshire
1975 Married Rafique Ahmed Awan and joined him in his property business, R. Awan Properties.
1976 Opened the first women’s fashion boutique, Je’aime; soon had three branches in Runcorn, Chester and Macclesfield, and ran three themed fashion events per year.
1987 Designed and opened first Shere Khan curry restaurant (Rusholme, Manchester) with husband Rafique; formula was hugely successful
1992 Nighat Awan founded Suki international, becoming its Managing director whilst hospitalised from the after-effects of cancer in 1991. Suki International was floristry business that helped families in Bangladesh by selling their raffia baskets into the British floristry industry. After several years of operations, Suki International was bougt by Interflora, who invited Nighat Awan to join them as Executive Director and oversee their Corporate Social Responsibility, a post she held for 3 years.
1997In 1997 the food arena in the Trafford Centre opened and Nighat seized the opportunity and set about rebranding the entire range and introducing ‘casual dining’ concept into Shere Khan restaurants within the Trafford Centre and nationwide.
2001 As Chief Executive of the Shere Khan Group, Nighat recognised the demand for quality affordable Asian Home Cooking, she collaborated with Manchester University to create a wide selection of Indian Cuisine, curry sauces and accompaniments. The outcome was a successful retail range available in Supermarkets ‘The whole dining experience in your own home’
2005 • Kashmir Earthquake Appeal – Nighat worked with the Army and Airlines in Pakistan in order to send essential goods following the disaster
• Delivered Inaugural ‘Women and Business’ lecture at Lancaster University Management Schools Institute for Enterprise & Entrepreneurial Development
• Director on the board at Bolton Business Venture
2007Nighat Awan was appointed Chancellor for the Bali Memorial, which provided emotional support to orphans in Pakistan. The Memorial also supplied food, clothing, water and education.
2009 Asked to MC and accompany Cherie Blair on her India Event for the Cherie Blair Foundation
• Ambassador for Cancer Research UK – Raising funds for research through Charity Events
• Shoe Box Appeal for Relief Work for the floods in Pakistan, raising large funds and doing radio appeals in order to have the goods sent through Cargo
2010 Chair for Mosaic (Princess Trust) North West
2016 Patron for Oxfam – Raising Funds through Charity Events
2017 Advisory board for Goodbox which is a company which raise funds through contactless technology
2018 Worked with Andy Burnam’s ‘A bed every night’ and raised funds to reduce levels of Homeless in Manchester
2019 • Trustee for Kingfisher Academy School in Business and Community
• United We Stand against Knife Crime – being a voice, in an attempt to change the laws through protests and Public Speaking
• Public Speaker for Forward Ladies Charity
• Public Speaker for Institute of Directors ‘In Conversation with Nighat Awan’
2020 LG Governor for Altrincham C of E School
2021 Chair for Asia – Cherie Blair Foundation – 100,000 Women
1972 Apprenticeship at Sitara Trading, parents’ garment factory in Macclesfield, Cheshire
1973 General Manager, Sitara Trading, Macclesfield, Cheshire
1975 Married Rafique Ahmed Awan and joined husband Rafique Awan in his propertybusinesses R. Awan Properties.
1976 Opened first women’s fashion boutique, Je’aime; soon had three branches, in Runcorn, Chester and Macclesfield, and also ran three themed fashion events per year.
1987 Designed and opened first Shere Khan curry restaurant (Rusholme, Manchester) with husband Rafique; formula was hugely successful
1992 Managing Director, Suki International was born. While hospitalized (had suffered from cancer the previous year), founded Suki International, a floristry businesses helping families in Bangladesh by selling their raffia baskets into the British floristry industry Suki International was bought by Interflora in 1997. Nighat was invited by Interflora to join them as Executive Director and oversee their Corporate Social Responsibility which the sale of Suki contributed to. She held this post for 3 years.
1997 In 1997 the food arena in the Trafford Centre opened and Nighat seized the opportunity and set about rebranding the entire range and introducing ‘casual dining’ concept into Shere Khan restaurants within the Trafford Centre and nationwide.
2001 As Chief Executive of the Shere Khan Group, Nighat recognised the demand for quality affordable Asian Home Cooking, she collaborated with Manchester University to create a wide selection of Indian Cuisine, curry sauces and accompaniments. The outcome was a successful retail range available in Supermarkets ‘The whole dining experience in your own home’
2005 • Kashmir Earthquake Appeal – Nighat worked with the Army and Airlines in Pakistan in order to send essential goods following the disaster
• Delivered Inaugural ‘Women and Business’ lecture at Lancaster University Management Schools Institute for Enterprise & Entrepreneurial Development
• Director on the board at Bolton Business Venture
2007 Chancellor for Bali Memorial – Emotional support to Orphans in Pakistan. Also supplying food, clothing, water supply 2007 and Education
2009 Asked to MC and accompany Cherie Blair on her India Event for the Cherie Blair Foundation
• Ambassador for Cancer Research UK – Raising funds for research through Charity Events
• Shoe Box Appeal for Relief Work for the floods in Pakistan, raising large funds and doing radio appeals in order to have the goods sent through Cargo
2010 Chair for Mosaic (Princess Trust) North West
2016 Patron for Oxfam – Raising Funds through Charity Events
2017 Advisory board for Goodbox which is a company which raise funds through contactless technology
2018 Worked with Andy Burnam’s ‘A bed every night’ and raised funds to reduce levels of Homeless in Manchester
2019 • Trustee for Kingfisher Academy School in Business and Community
• United We Stand against Knife Crime – being a voice, in an attempt to change the laws through protests and Public Speaking
• Public Speaker for Forward Ladies Charity
• Public Speaker for Institute of Directors ‘In Conversation with Nighat Awan’
2020 LG Governor for Altrincham C of E School
2021 Chair for Asia – Cherie Blair Foundation – 100,000 Women