‘The busiest business person I’ve ever met’

Vikas Shah MBE, CEO of Swiscot Group, has been awarded a Doctor of Business Administration honorary degree by Salford University, in recognition of his outstanding contribution in the fields of business and philanthropy.

The entrepreneur and philanthropist has supported numerous initiatives there, including the Launch@SalfordUni ‘business incubator’ and has been instrumental in advising dozens of young entrepreneurs. Shah has taught at universities around the world and already held an Honorary Industry Fellowship at Salford’s Business School.

As Dr Francine Morris, Associate Dean Enterprise & Industry Engagement at the Business School, says: “Even though he is probably the busiest business person I’ve ever met, Vikas is never too busy to give me his time and advice. On a personal level he has been an excellent mentor, both supportive and critical when required. He selflessly supports many others when he has nothing at all to gain and always has a smile on his face. “Vikas manages to make everyone who comes into contact with him feel like they are the most important person. It has been a wonderful experience and one of the highlights of my own job to have been able to nominate Vikas for this honour, because I know that he truly deserves it.”

As well as leading the team of Swiscot’s textile supply businesses, Shah supports numerous charities and non-profit organisations as an advisor, trustee and patron, including Mustard Tree – the largest homelessness and poverty alleviation charity in the northwest, and is also a trustee of Nile Rodgers We Are Family Foundation. He chairs In Place of War, an international peace building and entrepreneurship NGO with 100 grassroots community organisations reaching over 60m people globally.

The Swiscot Group includes Linen Connect, one of the UK’s largest suppliers of bed, bath, kitchen and table linens to a large range of customers including hotels, commercial laundries, restaurants, cruise lines, care homes and hospitals.