Abuse filter log

''''Reuben Singh''', (born 20 September 1976, [[Poynton]], [[Cheshire]], [[England]]), is a [[United Kingdom|British]] entrepreneur, who became well known in the mid-1990s for his ''Miss Attitude'' retail chain and then later for his business support services company ''alldaypa''. He has held many public appointments and was invited by the then [[Prime Minister Tony Blair]] to serve on a government advisory panel on small businesses and on the Competitiveness Council.<ref>http://www.dtistats.net/competitiveness5/Past%20Indicators/UKPC1999.pdf</ref> He served on the seven man government task force which was asked to review and then report on the Department of Culture, Media, and Sport.<ref>http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/peerreview.pdf</ref> and was appointed as a founding member of the government's Small Business Council.<ref>http://www.bsingh.dsl.pipex.com/khalsa/reuben.htm</ref> Alongside [[Sir Alan Sugar]] and [[Sir Richard Branson]] he has also been appointed by [[Prime Minister Gordon Brown]] as one of the five UK Ambassadors for Entrepreneurship{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}}. On 26 January 2003 The [[World Economic Forum]] honoured him<ref>http://google.com/search?q=cache:gP-j1pK0H4sJ:www.cgisf.org/businesses/enfi_pdfs/enfi_dec162002.pdf+http://www.cgisf.org/businesses/enfi_pdfs/enfi_dec162002.pdf&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=uk&client=firefox-a</ref><ref>http://cache.zoominfo.com/CachedPage/?archive_id=0&page_id=367468741&page_url=%2f%2fwww.newsindia-times.com%2f2002%2f12%2f13%2feco-india-top28.html&page_last_updated=12%2f21%2f2002+12%3a09%3a36+AM&firstName=Reuben&lastName=Singh</ref> as one of the "Global Leaders of Tomorrow" (GLT)<ref>http://cache.zoominfo.com/CachedPage/?archive_id=0&page_id=374088159&page_url=%2f%2fwww.worldeconomicforum.org%2fsite%2fhomepublic.nsf%2fContent%2fForum%2bAnnounces%2bits%2bOne%2bHundred%2bNew%2bGlobal%2bLeaders%2bfor%2bTomorrow%2b2003&page_last_updated=1%2f3%2f2003+1%3a44%3a45+PM&firstName=Reuben&lastName=Singh</ref><ref>http://www.indianembassy.ru/docs-htm/en/en_05_03_t1612_2002.htm</ref> in Davos. On 13 October 2003 his portrait was included in the UK [[National Portrait Gallery (London)|National Portrait Gallery]], which houses portraits of historically important and famous British people In May 2005 he was invited to Dubai by His Royal Highness Sheikh [[Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum]] the Dubai Crown Prince to address an audience of over 1000 business leaders and entrepreneurs.<ref>http://www.ameinfo.com/60759.html</ref> In 2003 the [[MIT]] Boston Technology Review Magazine voted him one of the World's top Innovators in their prestigious review.<ref>http://www.technologyreview.com/tr35/Profile.aspx?TRID=351</ref> His charitable work includes working to support HRH Prince Charles Prince's Trust working with young entrepreneurs and supporting interfaith partnerships in the UK.<ref>http://www.timebank.org.uk/mediacentre/press_release_details.php?id=49</ref><ref>http://www.redhotcurry.com/news/2003/timebank.htm</ref><ref>http://www.wmin.ac.uk/wbs/PDF/westbus10.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/pressAndInformationOffice/staffStudentsAndAlumni/newsandviews/02-12-2002.htm</ref> In early 2005 he courted controversy with a high profile court case and newspaper investigations into his business interests.<ref>http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=342294&in_page_id=2</ref> In October 2007 he was declared bankrupt on the petition of Bank of Scotland further to a dispute over a loan he had personally guaranteed, a case that lasted from 2004 till 2007. Singh was automatically discharged from bankruptcy after one year, as is standard procedure in the UK, in October 2008.<ref>http://www.insolvency.gov.uk/eiir/IIRNoRecords.asp?surname=SINGH&forename=REUBEN%20&court=ALLCOURTS&courtname=&office=&officename=&tradingname=&searchtype=NAME</ref> Since 2007 has adopted a much lower profile and withdraw from the media spotlight. ==Early years== Reuben Singh was born into a wealthy family who ran a large importing business, ''Sabco'', and had business interests in Canada. They came to England in the 1970s and had a family home in [[Poynton]], an affluent village in [[Cheshire]]. His first business, ''Miss Attitude'', was a retail chain which sold girls' accessories (such as hair clips, cosmetics, etc.) which opened in 1995 in the [[Manchester Arndale Centre]]. Dozens of stores opened up across the UK, and soon there were hundreds. Early reports cited his wealth at around £10 million, all this while he was studying for his A-Levels at [[William Hulme's Grammar School]] in Manchester. In 1999, Miss Attitude was sold for a reported sum of £22 million, bringing his wealth to around £45 million.<ref>http://www.educationtimes.com/reuben.htm</ref> The buyer later claimed that the actual sum was just £1 (see ''Financial Controversy'') ==Dotcom era== In 1999, he launched the support services business and brand ''alldaypa.com'', a 24-hour virtual PA/secretary service using $6m of his money.<ref>http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2003/10/04/stories/2003100400211800.htm</ref> alldayPA provides 24hr call answering and secretarial services to business based in the UK as well as other call centre support services. The business quickly became highly acclaimed for its service and received several awards including the National Business Award for New Business of The Year sponsored by [[Microsoft]].<ref>http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=93296</ref> Soon after this company was launched, Singh's spokeswoman was claiming the company was worth £100m, although this would later be challenged due to the fact the company was in fact in massive debt. .<ref>[http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=322775&in_page_id=2 Fallen Singh is still calling the tune]</ref><ref>[http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=63824 Record-breaking millionaire launches revolutionary dotcom service at alldayPA.com]</ref> The overinflated value of the company was symptomatic of the [[Dot com bubble|Dot Com Bubble]], which commonly saw new companies that seemed to grow quickly then fail, revealing their exaggerated values and showing no evidence of being profitable. However in the case of alldaypa the company has over the years developed into a highly successful and profitable business. {{Citation needed|date=January 2009}} After suffering initial losses of over £3m the company was bailed out in 2004 by Singh's Father who bought the company further to crystallising <!-- WHAT DOES CRYSTALLISING MEAN???????????-->the debt owed to him by the company. The company records and the administrator's report later revealed that Singh had lost several million pounds.<ref>[http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/business/general/s/83/83907_parents_pull_plug_on_sons_business.html Manchester Evening News - Parents Pull Plus On Sons Business]</ref> Since 2004 the alldaypa has growth and the company's financial statements have recorded profits each year and has built up partnerships with multinational companies such as T-Mobile <ref>http://www.brandrepublic.com/Revolution/News/149590/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH</ref> and MBNA credit card. ==Celebrity status== Singh appeared in printed media and on television, and was hailed by some as the British [[Bill Gates]]. He enjoyed the comparison, and stated in interviews that he aimed to beat Bill Gate's record by becoming the world's youngest self-made billionaire by the time he is 30 (although this was not achieved by September 2006 when he turned 30). He was often pictured alongside a Bentley Continental, a £270,000 vehicle. He has an entry in the 1998 [[Guinness Book of Records]] as the world's youngest self-made millionaire with a fortune of £27.5m (but the entry was subsequently disqualified). He has featured in rich lists such as [[The Sunday Times (UK)|The Sunday Times]],<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/richlist/person/0,,6959,00.html Sunday Times - Rich List]</ref> and Fortune, but he has not appeared in rich lists for several years since. He made television appearances for programmes such as BBC Hardtalk<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2002/11_november/20/hardtalk_singhreuben.shtml BBC - Press Office - HARDtalk Reuben Singh]</ref> and the Esther Rantzen show, and offered his services as a motivational guest speaker to give talks on how to be a success. He also won awards for his business and entrepreneurship, such as the National Business Awards 2002,<ref>http://www.newscast.co.uk/media/mediapreview_big.jsp?js=false&id=51976 Winner of National Business Awards 2002</ref> Microsoft New Business of the Year 2002, The Times 500 "Most Powerful under 30-year old in Britain", Times 500 Most Powerful Individuals as "Most Powerful under 30-year old in Britain".<ref>http://www.cityspeakersinternational.co.uk/speakers/speaker_reuben_singh.php Reuben Singh's City Speakers page</ref> In more recent years, however, he has not received such accolades or appointments, and seems to have withdrawn from the media spotlight. ==Financial controversy== In 2002, an article in the ''Manchester Evening News'' - followed a few days later by an article in the ''Financial Mail'' - contained damning information regarding his business ventures.<ref>[http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=342294&in_page_id=2 The truth about Britain's 'youngest self-made millionaire']</ref> The articles called him ''little more than a fantasist'' and that his wealth and business success was considerably less than he claimed. It also revealed that the buyer of Miss Attitude, American financier Gary Klesch, claimed to have bought the debt-laden business for £1. Singh himself told Sathnam Sanghera of the ''[[Financial Times]]'' that "these stories are just rumours based on jealousy and are a total misrepresentation", adding that a confidentiality clause prohibited him from discussing the matter.<ref>http://www.sathnam.com/Features/71/reuben-singh Sathnam Sanghera interviews Reuben Singh</ref> He then, suffered somewhat of a backlash from the media. The ''[[Manchester Evening News]]'', which had previously printed positive stories about Singh, began to run negative pieces and sought to expose any discrepancies in his affairs.<ref>[http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/26/26643_truth_behind_schoolboy_tycoon.html Truth behind schoolboy tycoon - News - Manchester Evening News]</ref><ref>http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/business/general/s/26/26639_tycoon_image_of_a_man_with_attitude.html M.E.N. Tycoon Image of Man With Attitude</ref> The paper alleged that he had used the press to his advantage, using inaccurate reports about his business prowess to further inflate his reputation as a successful entrepreneur.<ref>http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/business/general/s/26/26652_singh_used_press_to_his_advantage.html M.E.N. - Singh Used Press to his Advantage</ref> MP Graham Stringer called for tighter regulations after Singh was able to gain a position on a Government advisory panel without any prior checks.<ref>[http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/49/49067_plea_after_men_probe_into_firms_sale.html Manchester Evening News - Plea After Probe Into Firms Sale]</ref> Another company set up by Singh, a health food company called Robson & Steinberg, folded after less than a year of trading, with debts of £250,000.<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article3112814.ece Cosmetic success: The fallen business star - Home News, UK - Independent.co.uk]</ref> Questions were raised about what Singh called the 'Reuben Singh Group of Companies.' According to Singh, these were 12 trading entities dealing in currency trading, property, retail and construction. However a search in the Britain, [[Companies House]] listed only two British companies with any net assets of £1000 and £100. The other five British companies that Singh was listed as director had never filed any accounts but concern was raised on a £2.64m payment that Singh paid overseas from one of the companies.<ref>http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/business/s/72/72613_auditors_concerns_are_blow_to_alldaypa_chief.html</ref> Further problems arose in relation to a multimillion pound overdraft which Singh had guaranteed. In 2004 he was sued by the [[Royal Bank of Scotland]], with judge Michael Kershaw QC ordering Singh to pay the bank £1,229,966 for an overdraft and their legal costs. The judge commented, "(The banker) was, I think, to some extent a victim of Mr Singh's personality as well as Mr Singh's lies."<ref>http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/175/175214_you_are_a_liar_reuben.html 'You Are A Liar, Reuben' Manchester Evening News 23 September 2005</ref> == Recent times == On 19 October 2007, Singh was made bankrupt (for a reported £11.8m), on the petition of the Royal Bank of Scotland. Singh received an automatic discharge from bankruptcy after 12 months, as is standard practice under the UK Insolvency Rules.<ref>http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/58514/notices/392659/all=Reuben+Singh</ref> ==Quotations== * "No one backed me or invested in me when I was starting out... If Reuben Singh at 17 had found the Reuben Singh of today, imagine how that could have helped me."<ref>http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/articleshow?artid=22757024&sType=1 Reuben Hood - Economic Times India</ref> ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * http://www.bsingh.dsl.pipex.com/khalsa/reuben.htm * http://www.4-small-businesses.co.uk/top-small-businesses-idea-003.html * http://www.newscast.co.uk/media/mediapreview_big.jsp?js=false&id=16865 * http://www.npg.org.uk/live/search/person.asp?LinkID=mp19036 * http://www.alldaypa.com *http://www.drltd.com/ * http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020902/world.htm#5 *http://www.zoominfo.com/people/Singh_Reuben_20877243.aspx *http://www.zoominfo.com/Search/ReferencesView.aspx?PersonID=20877243&lastName=Singh&firstName=Reuben&searchSource=page&page=1 *http://www.newstatesman.com/200310270017 <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] --> {{Persondata |NAME= Singh, Reuben |ALTERNATIVE NAMES= |SHORT DESCRIPTION=[[United Kingdom|British]] entrepreneur |DATE OF BIRTH=1976-09-20 |PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Poynton]], [[England]] |DATE OF DEATH= |PLACE OF DEATH= }} {{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Reuben}} [[Category:British businesspeople]] [[Category:People from Poynton]] [[Category:1976 births]] [[Category:Living people]]'