Sukhpal Ahluwalia, a prominent London-based entrepreneur, has been named Business Person of the Year at the prestigious Asian Achievers Awards. The event, now in its 22nd year, took place at London’s Hilton Park Lane and celebrates the achievements of South Asians across various sectors, including business, politics, and civil society. The award, sponsored by Andaria, honours Ahluwalia’s significant contributions to the UK’s business landscape, having built some of the country’s largest companies, including Euro Car Parts, Dominus, and GSF Car Parts.
Ahluwalia’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1978 when he founded Euro Car Parts from a single store. Under his leadership, the company grew to become a major player in the automotive industry, generating revenues of over £1.2 billion by 2018, with a branch network of 350 locations and 11,500 employees. The business was eventually sold to Nasdaq-listed LKQ Corporation in 2014, where Ahluwalia continued as Executive Chairman for the UK, Ireland, and India operations until 2018.
Accepting the award, Ahluwalia expressed his gratitude for the recognition. “It’s an honour to receive this award. I owe a huge thanks to my team, friends, and partners who have helped drive the success of my businesses over the years. I’m proud of the role I’ve played in creating jobs and opportunities across the country,” he said.
The ceremony, attended by over 500 guests from around the world, was hosted by former Eastenders star Nitin Ganatra and ITV news presenter Anila Dhami. The event has grown into one of the most respected platforms for recognising South Asian excellence in the UK.
After the sale of Euro Car Parts, Ahluwalia went on to found Dominus, one of the UK’s largest privately-owned property development firms. Dominus has a strong focus on student accommodation, residential, and mixed-use projects, with over 4,000 units currently under construction, representing a gross development value of £2.4 billion. Ahluwalia serves as Non-Executive Chairman of the company, which is also involved in high-end hotel schemes.
In 2023, Ahluwalia added another feather to his cap with the acquisition of GSF Car Parts, the UK’s fastest-growing car parts distributor. Over the past year, GSF has opened 15 new stores, expanding its network to over 200 branches. The company has plans for further growth, aiming to add another 15 locations in the next year, which will create hundreds of new jobs. A significant investment has also been made in a 500,000-square-foot National Distribution Centre in the Midlands to support GSF’s rapid expansion.
Ahluwalia is also active in charity and business initiatives in India, with plans to invest £10 million in the state of Punjab and support tech entrepreneurs across the country. He has also funded the construction of a school in Faridabad and aims to increase his philanthropic activities in India.
Reflecting on his career, Ahluwalia added: “I’ve been fortunate to spend my life doing what I love—building businesses. I’m still passionate about driving GSF’s growth before I consider stepping back and returning to India.”
Nirav Patel, CEO of Andaria, praised Ahluwalia’s journey: “His story, from arriving in the UK as a refugee to becoming a successful entrepreneur, embodies the spirit of resilience and innovation that we champion.”