Tani Dulay Honoured in Evelyn Partners Hall of Fame
From Entrepreneur to Visionary Real-Estate Leader
As founder and Chief Executive of Woodbourne Group PLC, Birmingham-based developer and investor Tani Dulay has been recognised in the prestigious Evelyn Partners Hall of Fame — a platform reserved for the UK’s most impactful and celebrated entrepreneurs. (Evelyn Partners)
The announcement comes at a pivotal moment in Woodbourne Group’s expansion story. Having taken the legacy blueprint of his family’s property business, Tani transformed it into a forward-looking real-estate platform now driving major developments across Birmingham and the UK. In his early university years he ran a six-figure furniture import/export business while studying computer science and artificial intelligence. (Evelyn Partners)
Evelyn Partners Recognition
Being inducted into the Evelyn Partners Hall of Fame places Tani among entrepreneurs such as Alex Tew (Calm), Brent Hoberman (Last Minute), Ben Francis (Gymshark), Dhiraj Mukherjee (Shazam), Nick Jenkins (Moon Pig) and Nick Wheeler (Charles Tyrwhitt). (Evelyn Partners)
The profile on the Evelyn site highlights his journey: from university side-business to leading a regional development company with a pipeline of approximately £450 million in projects at the time of listing, including the landmark Curzon Wharf scheme in Birmingham city centre. (Evelyn Partners)
Tani reflects on this achievement with humility and purpose:
“Accumulating wealth in your youth can sometimes breed over-confidence. We arrive with nothing and depart with nothing. Don’t take anything for granted. Stay grounded and always remain humble.” (Evelyn Partners)
He also attributes his leadership ethos to his Sikh family heritage and daily practice of integrity, determination and humility. (Evelyn Partners)
Building a Business with a Start-Up Mentality
Under Tani’s leadership, Woodbourne Group is distinguished by the combination of an agile “start-up mentality” and a disciplined development approach. On the Evelyn profile, he notes:
“We’re an experienced business with a start-up mentality.” (Evelyn Partners)
This mindset has enabled the firm to compete with much larger listed property companies while maintaining speed and flexibility in deal making.
Woodbourne Group is currently behind major schemes such as Curzon Wharf — a near million-square-foot mixed-use development geared for net-zero carbon readiness — which is set to boost the Birmingham economy by at least £151 million. (Evelyn Partners)
He explains that the business has not raised external capital to date, relying instead on financial robustness, carefully read markets and a reputation for delivery:
“Our continued robust financial position, under-pinned by our integrity and strong track record, has now given us a good reputation within the market and with lenders. This ensures that we are well-placed to withstand the current economic turbulence and take opportunities as and when they arise.” (Evelyn Partners)
Expanding Horizons: Life Sciences, Ventures & Growth
In his Evelyn Partners interview, Tani maps out the next phase of expansion. Woodbourne Group is extending into venture capital through Woodbourne Ventures, deploying expertise into the life sciences space. He reveals that Curzon Wharf will include 130,000 sq ft of dedicated life sciences space and that the venture arm is selectively investing into life-science companies themselves. (Evelyn Partners)
Beyond property, Tani’s entrepreneurial roots—import/export, application development, even fashion—demonstrate a comfort with diverse arenas and a desire to leave a tangible imprint. As he says:
“You want to leave an imprint on the world. When property is done purposefully, you do that. As Churchill said, we shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us.” (Evelyn Partners)
Impact and Vision for Birmingham and Beyond
Tani remains passionately focused on Birmingham as his home market. He sees the city’s combination of globally ranked universities, young and diverse talent, and improved infrastructure as a foundation for innovation-led regeneration. With Curzon Wharf and other initiatives, Woodbourne Group is positioning the West Midlands as a destination for research, technology and investment. (Evelyn Partners)
He emphasises that success will come not just through scale but through purpose: innovation must deliver social and environmental benefit, inclusivity and community value. The Evelyn profile quotes him on remaining grounded and humble despite business success, reflecting a leadership style that values people and place equally alongside profit. (Evelyn Partners)
Being included in the Evelyn Partners Hall of Fame validates Tani Dulay’s entrepreneurial journey—from student side-business to leading a major regional developer expanding into life sciences and deep tech. The recognition strengthens the brand of Woodbourne Group, highlights its commitment to innovation, and offers further visibility among high-net-worth individuals, institutional investors and entrepreneurial networks.
Importantly, the accolade also signals the rising status of Birmingham and the West Midlands as a centre for talent, investment and development — aligning with the broader narratives of the UK’s knowledge economy and regional rebalancing.
For Tani Dulay and Woodbourne Group, the Hall of Fame induction is not an endpoint but a marker of momentum. With a proven pipeline of developments, an expanding venture portfolio, a leadership team steeped in purpose, and a home city rich in opportunity, the next chapter is firmly about execution and impact.
“We arrive with nothing and depart with nothing. Don’t take anything for granted. Stay grounded and always remain humble.”
His words serve as both personal philosophy and corporate guiding principle—one that places equal emphasis on building places, shaping industries and investing in people.
The honour from Evelyn Partners acknowledges the past, but the journey—and the imprint—are far from over.
