Lord Noon is special guest at Mosaic Associates Dinner
Categories: Global, London
Mosaic’s Associates were given a unique opportunity to meet Lord Noon at an exclusive dinner in December 2011, arranged for Mosaic Associates.
Lord Noon, one of Britain’s most successful businessmen, very kindly hosted the Associates at a London Restaurant. Over dinner, he shared many aspects of his extraordinary life from his early childhood, to his battle to support his family following the untimely death of his father, to his arrival in the UK, to his first major business successes, and finally to his elevation to the House of Lords.
Lord Noon also discussed his near fatal experience during the Mumbai terrorist attacks of November 2008, whilst staying at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Gunmen had not only made it onto the hotel floor where he was staying but they were in an adjoining room. At that time, Lord Noon received a phone-call from friend and Mosaic Associate, Shabir Randeree, who relayed the gravity of the situation as it unfolded on our television screens. Thankfully, Lord Noon was rescued along with others in a daring escape.
Throughout the evening Lord Noon came back time and again to his personal philosophy, that as human beings we must all consider the support we can bestow on those less fortunate. Lord Noon considers this the most precious gift we have to give in our lives : “Whatever the personal circumstances we can all make a difference to our family, friends, neighbours or employees. Change just one life if you can.”
Lord Noon’s personal philosophy resonated around the table of guests, the majority of whom have given considerable time as mentors with Mosaic. It was a most appropriate sentiment with which to leave an event which will live long in the memory of the eighteen Mosaic Associates who were fortunate to attend.
Lord Noon
Lord Noon was born in 1936 in India of Rajput extraction. He founded and operated a number of food product companies in Southall, London, specialising in Indian cuisine. His main business, Noon Products, was established in 1987, manufacturing chilled and frozen ready meals for UK supermarkets. In 1994, a fire in his factory destroyed everything, but within 10 weeks the company had begun selling its products again with all staff retained in employment during this period. He was awarded an MBE for his services to the food industry in 1994 and Knighted in 2002. In 2011, he was made a life peer with the formal title of Baron Noon of St. John’s Wood. He was awarded an Honorary Degree from the University of East London in November 2009. Lord Noon was a "castaway" on the BBC Radio 4 programme Desert Island Discs in 2004. He is a trustee of the Maimonides Foundation, a charitable organisation promoting dialogue between Jews and Muslims.
Mosaic Associates
Mosaic Associates are a dedicated, diverse, successful and influential Group from mainly business and professional backgrounds, committed to Mosaic’s mission to support disadvantaged children and young people from deprived communities in the UK. The Group includes those with a direct involvement with Mosaic as either Board members or mentors. For information on how to join this influential group, please contact David Hannam on (020) 7566 8739 or at david.hannam@bitc.org.uk.
The dinner, which took place at the Bombay Brasserie in South West London, was organised by Shabir Randeree, Mosaic Board member and Associate’s founder. Mosaic would like to thank Lord Noon, Shabir Randeree and the guests for making the evening so special and enjoyable.
Lord Noon, Mosaic Associates
