Vivek Shah - Day 1 of the 12 days of PDT Christmas

How have you worked with PDT this year?  And what has that experience been like?

 

This year has seen us work with PDT on a number of different transactions ranging from executing purchase lease options on land to the rear of our children’s day nursery, obtaining a SWAT analysis on a large commercial site looking to be purchased in a property auction and currently we are completing on a purchase of investment properties for our family charity.

 

Since being introduced to PDT by Christie & Co in 2017 we have not used another firm or looked elsewhere. No job is too big, and James & Chehraz whom I have had the pleasure of working with over the past few years have been great at meeting deadlines, even though some of these have been short and tight. Their work is exemplary and I have no issue recommending them to colleagues. This year alone friends have used them to purchase pharmacies and a children's nursery.

 

I must mention, when I approached PDT about the purchase of the investment property for our family charity which donates money to causes in the UK and Kenya they were incredibly generous to donate their fees back to the charity. This act of wanting to help us is the reason I believe PDT is the best firm of solicitors I have worked with. It’s not just about the work but always about the client.

 

 

What changes has 2021 brought you, your industry and/or your career?

 

There has been numerous changes in 2021 for my personal life. My wife and I have had the pleasure of introducing our son to the world in October 2020, so the beginning part of 2021 has been full of sleepless nights and countless nappy changes. Having said that it has also been the most rewarding year of my life seeing my son grow up and develop into the boisterous, loud and adventurous young man he has become. We’ve also been fortunate to finish a large development on our own home which we moved into in July this year shortly before my 30^th birthday.

 

From a business point of view our pharmacy has had its busiest year to date since our inception in 1973, largely owing to the pandemic in which we have become a vaccination site and provide PCR testing for people traveling abroad. Our children’s nursery which we purchased in August 2019 has undergone a £500,000 development doubling our occupancy to 70 children and we’ve recently been inspected by OFSTED and have gained an Outstanding rating, the highest accolade which can be awarded to a childcare provider.

 

Like many industries both of our businesses have had to evolve and face the challenges which the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown up. Needless to say we are hugely grateful to our team who have battled through this crisis and worked incredibly hard to not only sustain our businesses but to grow them. Never has the famous quote from Sir Richard Branson been so relevant ‘If you look after your staff, they’ll look after your customers. It’s that simple!’

 

 

If Santa could bring you one gift that would help or improve your working life what would that be?

 

A PA! My diary is always so manic and I need someone to help me organise my life.  

 

 

What are you looking forward to the most this Christmas? / What’s your favourite Christmas memory?

 

Christmas has always been a time for family and reflection for me. A chance to look back at the year and what has / hasn’t been achieved but also to reset the batteries for the year ahead. We are hoping to be away in Dubai this year for our first holiday abroad as a family, assuming Boris and the gang don’t change anything.

 

 

What is the most bizarre Christmas present you have ever received/ given?

 

Socks with my wife’s face on them. She wanted to ensure I never forget about her throughout my day.

 

 

In a Christmas fantasy land, who would be the famous figures (past or present), at your dinner table and why?

 

Barack Obama – I have read his autobiographies and I find him incredibly inspirational

David Attenborough- he's a legend in his own right

James Corden – We need a good laugh

Christiano Ronaldo – Having achieved everything he has in football, I would love to know what makes him want to continually want to be the best.

 

 

Any New Year’s resolutions?

 

Have a better work life balance. At the moment I find myself clearing a lot of work in the evenings which is not great.  Get myself marathon fit again. I ran the London marathon in 2016 and would love to be able to do this again.

 

 

What do you think 2022 will bring for you, your career and relationship with PDT going forward?

 

Hopefully another children’s nursery of which we would only use PDT to transact on our behalf. And a slap up meal on James.

 

 

Thank you Vivek, we look forward to working with you further in 2022

 

 

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