News In Focus
3 July 2009
Glasgow solicitor named business hero
A Glasgow solicitor has been named one of the UK’s business heroes in the 2009 Barclays Trading Places Awards.
Jelina Berlow Rahman, whose practice J R Rahman specilises in immigration and human rights issues, is a winner in the Government-backed national awards which honour men and women who are turning their lives around by choosing to start up a business, and overcome adversity in doing so.
Despite being diagnosed in her teens with systemic lupus erythematosus – a chronic autoimmune illness which left her with scarred facial skin and inflamed kidneys, requiring continuing hospital treatment since she qualified – Ms Rahman set up her own firm in December 2008.
She runs the firm single-handed, combining the roles of lawyer, receptionist, secretary and accountant while continuing with her dialysis treatment.
She now goes forward to the national finals to be held later this year.
Barclays Marketing Director for Local Business, John Davis, a judge on the panel, said: “Trading Places is a celebration of inspiring people who have struggled through adversity to get their businesses up and running – even during these turbulent times.
Inspiration
“The calibre of this year's entries is outstanding and we hope that with this recognition, JR Rahman Solicitors will continue on the road to success.
“We also hope Jelina’s story will inspire other budding entrepreneurs in Glasgow, who face similar difficulties in their private lives, to come forward and turn their own business dreams into reality.”
This year’s national finalists will be competing in three new categories – Triumph over Disability, Success after Unemployment and the Spirit of Inspiration Award – before hoping to be named the 2009 Barclays Trading Places Winner.
Each category winner will also walk away with £5,000 for their business, courtesy of Barclays, and all national finalists will receive £2,000 worth of computer software from awards supporter Microsoft.
Another new addition for 2009 will see the awards partners coming together to offer everyone who enters a range of business support and mentoring packages.
Other award partners are Jobcentre Plus, youth charity The Prince’s Trust, Departmentfor Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), the NFEA and Leonard Cheshire Disability.