June 11

Samuel Whitbread expanded his family’s London brewery into one of Britain’s largest ale producers. An innovator in steam-powered malting and brewing techniques, he transformed the industry. Elected to Parliament for Bedford, he supported agricultural improvements and social reforms. His business acumen laid the groundwork for the modern Whitbread Company. A philanthropist, he invested in education and public welfare until his death in 1796.

Ghanshyam Das Birla was born in 1894 into a prominent Marwari business family and expanded his father's trading enterprise into the Birla Group, spanning industries such as jute, textiles, tea, and cement. A close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, he provided financial support to the Indian National Congress and various philanthropic causes. Birla served in legislative bodies during British rule and after independence, advocating for economic development and education. He established schools, colleges, and hospitals, leaving a lasting legacy in both business and social welfare. He passed away in 1983.

Benjamin Mophatlane was a dynamic business leader born in 1973 who co-founded Business Connexion (now BCX), one of Africa's largest IT services firms. Under his leadership as CEO, the company expanded across southern Africa, offering innovative solutions in data center management, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. Mophatlane was known for his visionary approach to technology, driving digital transformation for businesses and government agencies. He championed entrepreneurship and mentorship, inspiring a generation of African tech innovators. His untimely death in 2014 was mourned across the continent, but his legacy lives on through the thriving company he built and the many professionals he mentored.

Hilary Devey was an English businesswoman and entrepreneur who founded the logistics company Pall-Ex. She built Pall-Ex into a leading parcel distribution network and became a respected figure in the transport industry. Devey gained wider fame as a Dragon on the BBC series Dragons’ Den, where she invested in start-ups and mentored entrepreneurs. Her no-nonsense style and commercial acumen made her a popular television personality and role model for women in business. She also appeared on several other TV programs, sharing her expertise and inspiring future business leaders.