Entrepreneur of the Year Awarded to Woodbourne’s Tani Dulay
Birmingham businessman Tani Dulay has been awarded Entrepreneur of the Year at a major national awards ceremony, celebrating the best and brightest individuals in the UK today. The accolade, presented at the prestigious Asian Achievers Awards in Park Lane, London, recognises outstanding entrepreneurship, leadership, and contribution to British society.
Tani, the Chief Executive Officer of Woodbourne Group, is widely regarded as one of the UK’s most dynamic next-generation business leaders. His achievements span property development, regeneration, and innovation—positioning him at the forefront of the UK’s modern entrepreneurial landscape.
A Visionary Behind One of the UK’s Most Transformational Developments & Entrepreneur of the Year
Tani is best known for his ground-breaking vision to create the world’s first mixed-use net zero carbon-ready development, a flagship scheme that will transform a key gateway into Birmingham. This development, known as Curzon Wharf, recently took a major step forward when Birmingham city planners unanimously granted approval in April—a milestone celebrated across the region.
Since its announcement in 2021, the £360 million waterfront ecosystem has become one of the most talked-about UK developments, gaining national and international attention for its ambition, sustainability credentials, and architectural innovation. Supported extensively by Birmingham City Council, local MPs, and senior political leaders including West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, Curzon Wharf represents a major statement about Birmingham’s future as a global city.
Described as a landmark for the built environment, Curzon Wharf is set to deliver a new urban ecosystem that blends residential, commercial, life sciences, and public realm into a single transformative regeneration scheme. Its economic, social, and environmental impact is already being projected as one of the most significant for the West Midlands in a generation.
Building Woodbourne Group Into a National Force
Tani formed Woodbourne Group in 2019, developing the business from the legacy blueprint of his family company into one of the UK’s most influential regional developers. Under his leadership, Woodbourne Group now boasts a £450 million development pipeline and recently posted an EBITDA of £7 million—a notable achievement in an industry shaped by rising costs, inflationary pressures, and complex planning environments.
His entrepreneurial drive, however, long predates Woodbourne Group. Tani had already launched and operated several successful ventures during his university years, demonstrating a business instinct and ambition that has continued to define his career. His diverse background also includes entrepreneurial ventures in technology, imports/exports, and early-stage business investment.
Tani’s contribution to business and the broader community has also been recognised at the highest level. He was recently invited by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to celebrate Vaisakhi at 10 Downing Street, acknowledging the significant contributions of the Sikh community to Britain—past and present.
Entrepreneur of the Year: An Award With a Prestigious Legacy
Receiving the Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Asian Achievers Awards is a major milestone, especially given its history of honouring some of the UK’s most impactful business leaders. Previous recipients include Rishi Khosla, co-founder and CEO of OakNorth Bank, and Adarsh Radia, co-founder of the iconic Dishoom restaurant group.
The Prime Minister himself praised the significance of the awards, stating:
“The Asian Achievers Awards provide a great opportunity for us to recognise the outstanding accomplishments of British Asians in the UK. It is good to celebrate the positive impact and contribution all the nominees have made in creating a more modern, dynamic and globally-facing economy in the UK.”
The ceremony is highly regarded for celebrating remarkable achievements across the South Asian community, highlighting individuals who have made significant contributions to business, public service, arts, culture, and philanthropy.
Each year, the event draws an impressive audience of A-list celebrities, television personalities, movie stars, musicians, community leaders, and accomplished entrepreneurs from around the world. The 2024 ceremony was hosted by EastEnders actor Nitin Ganatra alongside Pakistani actress Ainy Jaffri Rahman, adding to the prestige of the evening. Other winners included popular Indian singer Kanika Kapoor, exceptional NHS heroes, and high-achieving individuals of Indian origin.
The Wider Contribution of Ethnic-Minority Entrepreneurs
The recognition of leaders such as Tani Dulay sits within the broader context of the enormous contribution of ethnic-minority entrepreneurs to the UK economy. Businesses led by minority founders add many billions of pounds to the economy each year. These enterprises represent one-sixth of the UK’s six million registered businesses and collectively employ around three million people.
Tani’s accolade not only celebrates his individual achievements but also speaks to the broader impact of diverse leadership in shaping a more innovative, competitive, and globally connected UK economy.
