Sukhi Ghuman

Biography

Ghuman was born and raised in a Sikh family in Leicester, England.

Having graduated from Nottingham Trent University with Undergraduate Honours in Law in 1999, Ghuman completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice in 2000 at De Montfort University, and began his career as a trainee lawyer with regional firm Brethertons Solicitors.

In 2002 he was admitted as a solicitor in the Supreme Court, after which he then moved to the City of London law firm Nabarro Nathanson to practice as a Corporate Lawyer.

In 2014, Ghuman started studying a tailored Doctoral Degree Program to achieve a PhD.

Formation of Octavian

After seeing a niche in the market, in 2003 Ghuman formed the security company, Octavian, in the UK.

Other business interests

In April 2016, Ghuman formed Octavian IT Limited, providing enterprise class IT support and cyber security, in the UK and internationally.

In April 2016, Ghuman formed Octavian Recruitment Limited, a leading recruitment service provider, working in partnership with organisations globally in a wide diversity of market sectors.

In August 2015, Ghuman sold Octavian Security UK to CE Facilities.

In April 2015, Octavian launched the accredited Octavian Training Academy.

In October 2014, Ghuman led the formation of a joint venture between Octavian and EKOL in Turkey and created Octavian Security Turkey.

In June 2014, he formed Octavian FM LLC in Phoenix, Arizona, providing security and facility management in the USA southwest region.

In June 2014, he formed Octavian Payment Solutions LLC in Phoenix, Arizona, providing merchant processing.

In May 2014, he formed Octavian Security Africa, established in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Octavian Security Zambia offering a number of services such as manned guarding, alarm response and a wide range of technological solutions.

In 2013 he formed Octavian Animation - providing bespoke animation and video solutions for multiple needs.

In 2013, he formed Octavian Security Americas LLC in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, providing security to some of the largest open pit mines in North America.

In 2010 he formed Octavian Security USA in Tulsa, Oklahoma – the USA arm to Octavian Security in the UK.

In 2010, he formed a partnership between Octavian and Swissport International, a supplier of ground handling services to the aviation sector. Octavian later began to provide security and concierge services to aviation terminals and related services in the UK.

In 2006 he opened Octavian's Dubai division and represented the company's first venture outside of the European Union, offering their own unique brand of manned security services to the region's retail, logistics, distribution and warehousing, outside broadcast and professional and financial market sectors. Octavian became the first security provider to source, train and deliver sniffer dogs for DHL in the UAE, to detect alcohol and drug smuggling in cross border logistics.

Ghuman's perseverance and reputation as an international entrepreneur, have enabled him to lead successful projects in ROI, Spain, Russia, the Netherlands, Germany, Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, UAE, Canada, to name a few. Octavian is now an international provider of security and facilities management solutions, operating throughout the UK and internationally. Previous Octavian initiatives have included recruitment, property, entertainment, consultancy and facilities management. Diversification into new markets has been a key driver for Ghuman's entrepreneurial activities.

Driving organic growth is a key component of Ghuman's entrepreneurial activity, coupled with growth and setting up in international markets.

Away from Octavian, Ghuman continues to work on independent professional projects ranging from the re-structuring of businesses to internationalising businesses, both in the UK and the USA.

He acted as an interim CEO for Kanbar Properties.

In 2011 he served on the judging panel for "The Pitch Scotland", a business competition.

In 2010 Ghuman led a consortium that attempted to take over the world's oldest football league club, Notts County F.C..

Honours and philanthropy

In 2014, keen to harbour international links for the City of Nottingham, Ghuman became a Nottingham International Ambassador to assist promoting the city with his international connections.

In 2014, he became a regular columnist for Asian World, a West Midlands publication providing a platform for the Asian community to voice their views and opinions.

In 2013 Ghuman raised £6,500 for Macmillan Cancer Research by completing an accelerated freefall skydive at Langar Airfield in Nottinghamshire.

In addition to raising donations from the skydive, Octavian has made a sizeable contribution to the John van Geest Cancer Research Centre in Nottingham to further support the cancer research cause.

In 2012, he was elected as Chair of the Homeland Security Foundation of America.

In 2011, he was the first non-US citizen to become Board Member for The Homeland Security Foundation of America (HSFA), whose mission is to advance Homeland Security while preserving Americans' civil liberties through life-saving public safety, energy and health and human services programs.

In 2011 Ghuman helped to raise £10,000 for Football Aid at Goodison Park football stadium.

He is a member of the British Indian Business Forum, established to offer mentoring and support to Indian-owned British businesses.

Ghuman also sits on the Development Board for Nottingham Trent University and has mentored students and delivered guest lectures.

Awards