Bradford College

From McDonald’s Employee - to Managing Director...

Inspired by the likes of Sir Alan Sugar and Richard Branson, former Bradford College student, Faheem Rehman is a business force to be reckoned with.  Hard working Faheem’s determination to succeed has seen him swap his job at McDonalds - for a job as the Managing Director of his own thriving business at the age of 25. So how did Faheem climb to prominence and wealth from his humble beginnings?...

In a frank and revealing interview, Faheem explained how working at McDonalds and his Bradford College experience have got him where he is today….

Faheem came to Bradford College at the age of 19 to enrol on a Business Foundation course, whilst working at McDonalds to finance his studies. Not daunted by working and studying fulltime, Faheem also set up his own business during his degree.

Faheem explained: “I knew when I came to the UK 6 years ago that I was going to work really hard to achieve my goals.  I enrolled on the Business Foundation course in 2004 and progressed to a Business degree, specialising in Human Resource Management.”  

Recognising the potential within him, McDonalds promoted Faheem twice during his employment with them – offering him positions in management. Faheem explained: “That experience made me take more of an interest in management and allowed me to discover my own strengths.  This was also backed up by the business knowledge I’d gained from the course.”

In January 2008, Faheem applied for a position at the Royal Bank of Scotland and was successfully appointed.  This experience also played a vital role in helping to shape the budding entrepreneur.  

In 2009, armed with his knowledge of business, human resource management and his unique consumer insights, Faheem felt the time was right to launch his own company ‘Excellence in Services Ltd’ an events management agency.  Faheem explained:  “Through my experience of working at McDonalds, The Royal Bank of Scotland and the knowledge I’d gained during my degree, I realised that I wanted to do something different and set up my own business.”   

Elaborating further on his business, Faheem said:  “As sole director I employ 10 members of staff and we provide an events management service.  The biggest event we’ve done so far was for 300 people. The feedback we’ve received from the clients has been excellent, which has led to further recommendations… its just gone from strength to strength with bookings growing all the time.”

So who inspired Faheem to become the leading edge businessman we know today?  Faheem laughed and replied: “I’ve got my inspiration from Alan Sugar, the Dragons from Dragons Den, Richard Branson and Tony Blair. If you look at them, they’ve progressed from nothing to become who they are today.” Faheem added: “It was their determination to succeed and hard work that I found particularly inspiring.  They knew what their aims and objectives were and they went for it.”

Offering inspirational advice to people starting out in their careers, Faheem said: “Give 100%. Everyone can succeed; all you need to do is find your own strengths and work hard for it.”  Faheem concluded: “Without my degree I wouldn’t be where I am today. Its helped me succeed and given me a firm understanding of Business.”  

Now with a thriving business and qualifications under his belt, Faheem has ambitious plans to roll out the ‘Excellence in Services Ltd’ concept back in Pakistan.  There are also plans in the pipeline to develop further business opportunities.  When pressed to reveal more about his new business ideas, Faheem smiled and replied: “Watch this space…”

Hard-working and passionate, Faheem Rehman is living proof that you can reach the top, if you believe in yourself and are committed to succeed.