UK finalist 2021
Dr. Nik Kotecha OBE
Chairman, Morningside Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Forced to flee Uganda and having arrived in the UK with his family at six years of age, Nik’s experiences as a refugee have shaped his entrepreneurial aspirations and gave him a vision to make quality health care an affordable and accessible reality throughout the world.
From his garage in 1991, Nik launched Morningside Pharmaceuticals to supply international aid to lower- and middle-income countries. The business uses novel technology to launch niche generic and branded medicines to expand choice and value for patients and pharmacies. Under Nik’s leadership, since its inception Morningside have provided pharmaceuticals and health care products to more than 120 countries worldwide, as well as saved the NHS millions of pounds. Morningside also supplies pharmaceuticals to aid agencies, charities and NGOs — including UNICEF, Red Cross and the World Health Organization (WHO).
I have been inspired by my parents work ethic, dedication and steadfast efforts to ensure our family was kept safe under very difficult circumstances. My life experiences have allowed me to become the entrepreneur and philanthropist I am today.
Nik is passionate about ‘giving back’ and his vision continues to stay true to its roots: funding the setup in 2017 of the Randal Charitable Foundation. The Foundation has already contributed over £9mn to help 145,000 people worldwide, tackling issues relating to mental health, addiction, education, poverty and social disadvantage.
