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Asian of the Year Awards 2009 in London's Dorchester Hotel |
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Amongst a roomful of 500 of the UK’s most respected Asian professionals,
business magnets, media stars, dignitaries and politicians, Surinder ‘Max’ Mongia was awarded the
prestigious title of ‘Asian of the Year 2009’ at London’s Dorchester Hotel. A graduate in engineering
from BIT (Birla Institute of Technology) in India, Mongia is Managing Director of Strongfield Technologies
Ltd, a specialist supplier of High-tech components and equipment for Defence and Space applications,
providing Engineering, Design and Consultancy support for Defence and Aerospace programmes, now
rapidly expanding from its UK headquarters to have offices in Canada, Finland and India..
The award was presented by BBC’s Sangita Myska, and last year’s winner Ranjit Singh Baxi. Baxi commented,
“Max is a true testament to the success of British Asians who have become leaders in their fields. He has not only
made a name for himself in such a tough industry, but he has selflessly devoted time and effort to his chosen
charities, Consortium of Street Children, as well as Lions Clubs International for which he was recently appointed
Ambassador of Goodwill. A very well-deserved award.”
Mongia moved into the aerospace industry in the late 1980s offering
structural design and stress analysis to aircraft manufacturers, later moving
into the operational side of aircrafts by offering crew leasing services to
airlines from Morocco to Korea. Events of 9/11 led Mongia to realign the
business model and move away from a dependence on the aeronautical
industry into industrial and defence areas, which is where they are now
with Strongfield Technologies Ltd and associated companies. Strongfield
manufactures and distributes power generators, gun-barrel cleaning foam
and automatic equipment and provides logistic support for other
components and services in the defence industry. Mongia is also a member
of the Conservative Party, Member of the Executive Committee of South
West Herts, Conservative Association and Chairman of the Parliamentary
Business Club.
In an interview with the BBC for ‘Business World, Mongia was asked ‘What
would you recommend to the Chancellor for his forthcoming budget?’ to which he responded, “Both the Chancellor
and the Banks have to address the issue of Liquidity. SME’s are suffering. I would encourage the support of SME's
financially during this period, as they are the driving force behind British industry.”
Previous winners include Ramola Bachchan, Lord Karan Bilimoria, Sir G.K. Noon, Mr. Imran Khan, Lord
Hameed CBE, among others.
According to S.P. Hinduja of The Hinduja Foundation, "The Asian community continues to make a significant
contribution to the British way of life. Understanding that community is important for all who hope to understand
this country. That is why Asian Who's Who is a vital service for not only the Asian community, but many other
Britons."
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