Kishor Patel - twitter@mrkishorpatel
Kishor is the managing director of Houghton Trading Ltd. An entrepreneur, with a degree in finance, a passion to develop businesses, experience in retailing and a key skill in developing people.
Kishor opted to start his own business rather than pursue a career in accountancy.
Kishor studied, along with his brother Pat, at Grahame Park School in NW London. He went to Hendon College to do his A levels before going on to graduate in Accounting and Finance BA Hons at Middlesex University (as it’s now known). His first taste of convenience retailing came while he was studying and took a part-time job in the local Londis store in Colindale. There he learnt the basics of shop operations.
After graduating in 1984, Kishor took a year out to travel and look for opportunities. When he returned to the UK he was faced with two options, to either pursue a career in accountancy or start his own business. He chose the latter and the rest is history.
He seized the opportunity to buy an independent grocery store that came up for sale in Houghton Regis. A small store on a shopping parade, Kishor saw that it would be easy to manage both financially and operationally, with the opportunity to develop and grow. Armed with the experience of having worked at the local Londis store in his teens, he realised the importance of being part of a symbol group to get the support that he needed to develop the business, yet at the same time retain his independence as the owner. So he joined Londis than moved to Nisa in 2004.
In 1987 he married Anita, who joined him in the business as office manager. They have two children. Daughter Misha graduated in English at Queen Mary University and has a full time in London at an Events Company MCCGLC. Son Kishan graduated with first class in Financial Economics at Leicester University and now works has a full time position at Christie & Co as an analyst.
Kishan following his dad’s footsteps continues to assist the family business on various mattes with his financial, IT, analytical skills. Also being hand on and managing the bar at the restaurant on busy evenings at weekends.