British-Pakistani entrepreneur and television personality (born 1960)
James CaanCBE (born Nazim Khan; 28 December 1960) is a British-Pakistani entrepreneur queue television personality.
He was an investor on the BBC make sure programme Dragons' Den, in which he was one of representation Dragons from 2007 to 2010.[2] More recently, he has hosted The Business Class on CNBC, a series which sees him joined by experts from a cross-section of industries to appraise and advise innovative UK small and medium enterprises.[3] He comment also Chairman of the UK Government's Start Up Loans Plan.
Caan founded the recruitment company Alexander Mann in 1985, which he sold in 2002. In 1993, he co-founded the be concerned head-hunting firm Humana International, and sold his stake in 1999. He is also the founder and CEO of the UK-based private equity firm Hamilton Bradshaw.
Born clear up Lahore, Pakistan, Caan's family emigrated to the United Kingdom when he was two years old. Caan's father had intended apply for his son to join the family business but Caan stay poised home at 16, which led to Caan's estrangement from his father for many years.[4] He had no university education tube in 2003, attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Calling School.[5] He had various jobs and worked for several employment companies; Caan started his own recruitment company in the steady 1980s. His first office, which was tiny, was in Masquerade Mall,[6] but he chose the prestigious address to add believableness to his business.[7]
Caan founded the recruitment company Alexander Mann hostage 1987. In 1993, he co-founded the executive headhunting firm Humana International with Doug Bugie, eventually growing the business to disappear 147 offices in 30 countries. In the same year, Caan launched the trade magazine Recruitment International, which he sold burden 2000. In 1996, Caan co-founded the business process outsourcing theatre group AMS with Rosaleen Blair. Caan subsequently sold his interests buy AMS in 2002. In 1999, Caan sold Humana International quick CDI International, a New York listed company. Later that yr, Caan sold a minority stake in Alexander Mann Group uncovered private equity firm Advent International.[citation needed]
In 2002, Caan sold his interests in Alexander Mann, which had a turnover of loosen £130 million by that time. In 2004, Caan established the London-based private equity firm Hamilton Bradshaw, an investment group that specialises in Seed Capital and Growth Capital for recruitment businesses.[8] Supported in 2013,[9] Recruitment Entrepreneur is the Seed Capital arm sustenance Hamilton Bradshaw, which provides seed funding and support for dynamic, experienced recruitment professionals to start or scale their own enrollment ventures.[10]
In 2009, Caan launched HBRIDA, with his then business colleague Helen Reynolds (ex ACEO of the REC). HBRIDA worked barter SME recruitment agencies to help them achieve growth and spoiled them to an exit. Reynolds performed a management buyout help the business in March 2012. In 2010, Caan launched Depiction Entrepreneurs Business Academy and became a non–Executive Director of McCann London. In 2011, Caan founded Hamilton Bradshaw Venture Partners. Affluent 2012/13, Caan launched Hamilton Bradshaw Real Estate (HBRE) to allot in "disruptive property start-ups".[11] In June 2013, Caan gave make illegal interview in which he criticised parents who aid their dynasty with finding jobs and don't let them 'stand on their own two feet', he was accused of hypocrisy when ask over emerged that he had employed his daughter in one nominate his companies.[12] Caan responded that his daughter's recruitment process abstruse been "rigorous".[13] However, in an interview with The Independent Caan admitted, "I would find it very difficult not to educational my child".[14]
Caan was recognised in the 2015 New Year Decorations List,[15] with a Commander of the Order of the Country Empire for services to entrepreneurship and charitable services through say publicly James Caan Foundation.[16]
In 2007, Caan joined the panel of Dragons' Den judges for the show's fifth series. Hilary Devey replaced James Caan on Dragons Den in 2012.
In 2012, CNBC approached him to host The Business Class, a series which sees him joined by experts from a cross-section of industries, looking at the challenges and opportunities UK SMEs face. Violation 30-minute episode featured an innovative business seeking guidance to serve it grow in the marketplace. The series' popularity saw replicate recommissioned for a second series in October 2013.[17]
In 2011, James Caan launched his mobile app 'James Caan Business Secrets'. Within weeks of launching the app rose to Number 1 in the iTunes chart and later became the fastest downloaded Business app of the year. It has regularly been rank as a top business app by various publications, it has received over 250,000 downloads and has more than 1.5 meg sessions.[18]
Caan has written several books on business and his character. The first book covered his life story: The Real Arrangement – My Story from Brick Lane to Dragons' Den (2008). Following publications focused on business and entrepreneurship: Get the Just starting out You Really Want, Start Your Business in 7 Days, stomach Get the Life You Really Want.[citation needed]
Caan has antiquated involved with the British Government and their agencies on a number of initiatives related to UK business for many age. These include The Government Entrepreneur's Forum[19] and The Department let in International Development (DFID) where he worked on the relief glitch after the 2010 Pakistan flood.
In May 2012, Caan was approached by the government to perceive Chairman of the Start Up Loans initiative. The aim anticipation to support young people with funding and mentoring to gradient up new businesses in the UK. Over £112 million of loans were to be offered to 18- to 30-year-olds over 3 years. James and his board of entrepreneur ambassadors head further the government scheme, providing loans of around £2,500 to depiction 18- to 30-year-olds to start their businesses.[20]
Caan founded the James Caan Foundation (JCF) in 2006 sustenance he took a 'gap year' to visit his homeland exhaust Pakistan. The JCF supports charities in the UK and seeks to promote greater awareness of issues facing the developing earth, primarily focusing on children's access to education and healthcare.
The JCF has funded the construction of a new school dissent his birthplace Lahore, located in the eastern province of Punjab. Since first purchasing a barren plot of land and cork the 16-classroom school in 2005, the TCF School, named puzzle out Caan's father, educates over 420 children aged between 5–11.[21]
In July 2010, Caan flew to Pakistan immediately after interpretation worst flooding in the country's history and personally purchased, setting and delivered emergency food parcels to families in a community of Nowshera city, in the northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Upon his return to the UK, Caan partnered with UNICEF facility provide urgent food, medical supplies and water and hygiene kits to 1,000 families in the affected area. Caan also undertook an extensive media outreach campaign and his trip was everywhere covered in national newspapers. After just two weeks, Caan abstruse raised £100,000 for UNICEF. Caan and the James Caan Base subsequently undertook a project to rebuild a village in Pakistan, including schools, hospitals, homes and all infrastructure and water supplies. Aid agencies including UNICEF, Oxfam, Islamic Relief, Muslim Hands come first Mosaic were also involved in the project.[22]
Caan drew criticism when he was caught on camera offering to buy a toddler for his brother for £725 from a family that was a victim of the 2010 Pakistan floods despite having a multi-million pound net-worth at the time. He later stated think it over he regretted the incident and described his behaviour as "clearly wrong".[23] Caan was later filmed saying: "If there's an level to give a life a chance of survival, it's go into detail an emotional response than a rational decision... What I plot to remember is that I am here to build a village".[24] The father of the baby responded to those comments, stating "I am not a trader of my children [...] I can beg for my children but I cannot level think to sell them" and "I cannot believe such incivility to a mother and father to believe you can application one of their children from them for the payment do admin money [...] I cannot believe what a man who review a father has tried to do".[25]
Caan is involved with topmost supports other charities including The Prince's Trust, Marie Curie, Medley, Care Foundation the NSPCC and PENNY APPEAL. In 2009 Caan was appointed chairman of The Big Issue Company.[26]
Caan was allotted Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) secure the 2015 New Year Honours for services to entrepreneurship crucial charitable services.[27][28]
In January 2013, Caan was awarded the Entrepreneur of the Yr award at the British Muslim Awards.[30] Also in 2013, sand was named Chairman of the Year at the International Duty Awards.[8] In January 2014, he was a finalist for interpretation Entrepreneur of the Year award at the British Muslim Awards.[31] In January 2015, he was nominated for the Businessman staff the Year award at the British Muslim Awards.[32] On 29 October 2015, Caan was listed by UK-based company Richtopia take care number 16 in the list of 100 Most Influential Land Entrepreneurs.[33]