Peter Paduh, Young Business Person of the Year 2005, came to the UK from Bosnia in 1993. In 2003 he set up Maxitech.biz, a not-for-profit company which reuses and recycles IT equipment for UK companies.
What gave you the idea of setting up Maxitech?
It’s something I always wanted to do. When I was 12 years old my mum bought me a Commodore 64 and I started my first business selling computer hardware.
How did you get started in the UK?
I came to England on my own in 1993 and stayed in a children’s home in London until the local authority found me a foster home. After that I went to university, did a work placement at Microsoft and worked for a number of computer companies. I had a few business ideas and this was the one that took off.
What are your plans for the future?
I want to grow the business and be able to help myself and others.
What do you think about the media portrayal of refugees in the UK?
The media, like anything else, seem to think that bad news stories sell. Good stories about refugees go unnoticed. When I won Young Business Person of the Year. Newspapers including The Daily Telegraph and The Financial Times covered the story so there are good journalists out there.
What advice would you give to a newly arrived asylum seeker?
Don’t give up. Try hard to establish yourself and make the most of the opportunities here in your new home country.
What does winning Young Business Person of the Year mean to you?
I’m very pleased they chose me. It’s really nice to have your hard work and achievements recognised. It’s a good story about what refugees can do and how they can contribute positively to life in the UK.
Links
Young Business Person of the Year website
Maxitech
