Shaf's Profile
Shaf's career to date
By 1999 Shaf Rasul was already a self-made multi-millionaire with an extensive investment portfolio that would allow him to take it easy for the rest of his life. Maybe the time had come for the one of Scotland’s most successful entrepreneurs to slow down and set-up a comfortable lifestyle business that would allow him to pursue other interests like business mentoring and philanthropy. It was at that time Rasul – who was recently named as one of two new Dragons in an online version of the BBC’s Dragons Den - established E-Net Computers.
Ten years on the business is now the largest storage media distributor in Europe and one the biggest buyers of optical storage products in the world. The business has developed partnerships with the world’s top optical media manufacturers and has retained supply agreements with a wide portfolio of web-stores and high-street retail chains. A global import/export hub in Dubai and a £5million distribution centre at Edinburgh Airport have also been established to support the growth of the business which recorded peak sales of £67.2million during 2004-05. As well as masterminding the growth of E-Net Computers, Rasul has also developed a venture capital investment portfolio which focuses on property, asset management and internet technology.
In 2006 Ernst and Young Scottish Young Entrepreneur of the Year and was ranked 19th in a Management Today 2008 survey of the UK’s top 100 entrepreneurs. He has also been included in the Asian 100, a list of the most successful members of the British Asian community..
A recent Sunday Times rich list estimates Rasul’s wealth in the region of £82million.
Dragons Den Quickfire Q&A
- Name:
Shaf Rasul - Age:
I think I could get away with 34! - Family:
Son - Sohaib and Daughter - Sarah. - Pets:
Invested in an exotic fish business once - does that count? - Describe yourself:
Fun, sharp, dynamic, innovative, creative, original and a complete workaholic. - Estimated wealth:
Enough to justify buying a new Aston Martin every year. - Vehicles owned:
There's only one car worth driving - an Aston Martin. - Property owned:
I have developed a significant residential and commercial property portfolio. - Most outrageous purchase:
I bought a shirt for £1500 once. - One thing I always spend the extra on:
Shoes, cars and children. - Best job I've had:
I'm doing it. - Worst job I’ve had:
I worked for a legal firm as my first job but I quit after two hours. - The one thing I look for in employees:
Initiative and enthusiasm. - Last CD I bought (or downloaded):
Kings of Leon. - Last gig / concert I went to:
David Gray. - Last film I saw:
24: Redemption. - Favourite holiday destination:
Dubai. - Favourite sport, team and player:
Rather work than watch sport. - Best investment:
www.Boffer.co.uk is my favourite investment. I've done lots of other high yield investments in my time but none of them are as much fun as Boffer. - Things that interest me:
Talented people with bright and creative business ideas. - I'd never invest in:
An entrepreneur that didn't have the spark and drive to use my support to make a success of their business. - Best advice offered:
Listen to peoples advice, even if you don’t take it. That way you only have your self to blame. - People you admire:
My father is my inspiration - but he always asks when I'm going to grow up and get a real job. - Your motto would be:
If bad things don't happen how will you know to appreciate the good things that come along afterwards.
