Lopa Patel is an exceptional entrepreneurial businesswoman and an inspirational leader with extensive experience in the creation, direction and successful development of businesses within the 'New Media' sector. She has an outstanding record of achievement that has been recognised via numerous accolades and she was recognised with an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for her services to the creative industries. Lopa currently serves as Non-Executive Director of Becta (British Educational Communications and Technology Agency) and as a Member of the RSA (Royal Society for the Arts) Fellowship Council. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and a Fellow of the Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM).

Lopa was awarded the 'Windrush Award' (Outstanding Champion for the Internet & Technology category), the Silver 'Smart' Award (Software Development) and she was voted 'Asian Woman of the Year' in 2005 (Media). She combines strong communication, negotiation and marketing skills with a high level of cultural awareness and the credibility to positively influence a diverse range of stakeholders.

Following the achievement of a Diploma in Computing and graduation from the University of Manchester, Institute of Science and Technology, Lopa was accepted onto Imperial Chemical Industries' (ICI) fast track training scheme. Potential was quickly recognised, leading to a progressive career within that Company. She achieved success in roles involving export sales, product management and marketing communications.

After leaving ICI in 1991, Lopa founded DMS Direct Ltd, a marketing services company, where she was responsible for formation and strategic leadership of the business including new product and software applications development, marketing and key account management of major corporate clients.

During 2001 she devised and set up Redhotcurry.com from concept to the most successful business of its type in Britain including a website that generates over 3 million hits and in excess of 40,000 unique visitors per month. This was a pioneering South Asian lifestyle site and it has retained its leadership position even within an increasingly competitive market. She was responsible for the formation, strategic direction and leadership of the business including all aspects of the start-up and the rapid expansion of the customer base utilising all elements of the 'marketing mix' together with the identification and launch of new business ventures (on-line shop) and services (B2B) directory.

Throughout her career Lopa has continued to be involved in committee work and other extra-curricular activities, supporting the development of Asian Women's entrepreneurship activities. Roles have ranged from being a London Branch Committee Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Vice Presidency of Women in Direct Marketing (WDM) to co-founding eWomen, a networking group aimed specifically at women involved in the New Media Sector. She also supports the Middlesex Premier Cricket League, the largest amateur Sunday cricket league in the South East of England.

In May 2008, she became a Non-Executive Director of Becta - the government agency leading e-Learning strategy in the UK - to help influence the take up off technology in schools, colleges and universities in Britain. In July 2009, she was elected to the RSA (Royal Society of Arts) Fellowship Council.

Awards & Honours

2009 - Awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List
2008 - London Borough of Barnet Civic Award for community services
2007 - Appeared in The Observer/Courvoisier Future 500 Top Achievers List
2007 - Elected as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing [CIM]
2006 - Elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts [RSA]
2006 - Appeared for the first time in the 'Asian Who's Who'
2005 - Won the Asian Jewel Award (Media/Arts & Sports)
2005 - Won the Asian Woman of the Year Award (Media)
2004 - Redhotcurry.com shortlisted for the 'StartUps Awards' (Community Impact)
2004 - Won a Special Windrush Award (Judging)
2004 - Shortlisted for Windrush Awards (Ethnic Media Editor)
2003 - Winner of the Windrush Award (Internet & Technology Innovator)
2003 - Redhotcurry.com Shortlisted for AOP Awards
2003 - Redhotcurry.com Shortlisted for the BIMA Awards
2003 - Elected Fellow of the Institute of Direct Marketing [IDM]
2000 - Shortlisted for the Revolution' Awards (DMS DIRECT)
2000 - Shortlisted for the 'Smart' Awards (DMS DIRECT)
1999 - Winner of the Silver 'Smart' Award (WDM)
1999 - Winner of the Silver 'Smart' Award (Allegiant Software)
1999 - Shortlisted for the PM 'Response' Awards (WDM)
1999 - Shortlisted for the Yell Awards (WDM)
1999 - Shortlisted for the 'Marketing' Intelligence Award (WDM)

Top