Pradeep Sood
Founding Director
Highbury Canco Corporation | Markham, ON (CANADA)
Ancestry
Kapurthala (Punjab)
Birthplace
New Delhi (India)
Residence
Toronto, ON (CANADA)
From ACCIDENTAL CA to BUSINESS HONCHO
Influenced by the most positive and progressive philosophies, he has been recognised at many levels as an entrepreneur and a social worker.
The year 2001 is probably the most singular highlight of my life. This was the year I decided to quit my job and launch my own business. Though, I can now say that this was the best decision of my life and how I wish I had taken this decision much earlier. Delaying this decision has been my biggest regret also.
My early ventures were based on bringing efficiencies to North American businesses, taking advantage of the time difference between the continents. I started with medical transcription and added the outsourcing of processes. In 2014, I led the purchase of the Heinz processing facility in Canada, when they announced their decision to close it. This closure would have meant over 600 people being unemployed. We purchased the 2.1 million sq-ft facility and continued food processing from the facility.
What one loves in childhood stays in the heart forever
On 12 September 1953, I was born in a family that laid a lot of emphasis on education. My father, Dr Prem Sagar Sood, was a PhD in Economics from Rajasthan University and loved poetry, reading and Tennis. My mother, Rabindra Sood, a 1949 graduate from Miranda House, Delhi, was an absolute marvel as a homemaker and with her around, everything happened as if by magic. My early memories of her are not just as a phenomenal homemaker but also as a tireless social worker for the underprivileged women. It fills me with an overriding sense of pride whenever I talk about my parents.
My grandparents’ interests were governed to some extent by the difference in their calling. While my paternal side was mostly into education and services, my maternal side was prominently in business. Upbringing in this environment influenced my personal development in a large way in the formative years.
Summer vacations with my elder sister, Poonam, in New Delhi, were always terrific. She is extremely kind and caring. The sessions of family photographs back then was such a ceremony. The fun and friendliness all come back, as vivid as ever, when I now look at sepia-tinted photos and relive those happy moments once again.
We never forget what we learn with pleasure
When I was seven, I was sent to Mayo College, Ajmer; one of the best boarding schools in India, and among the top in the world. Our principal, Jack Gibson OBE, an Englishman, always emphasised on being an all-rounder. He believed that education could never be overstressed as it embodies the ideals of a healthy mind in a healthy body. And this can be achieved only when there is an appropriate mix of academics, sports and extracurricular activities in your early years and probably, always. Students needed to participate in several activities. The school provided unbelievable opportunities like debating, NCC, sports, etc. I had a desire to participate in everything that came my way, then and even now, when I am near retirement. I can confidently say that my time in Mayo has had a huge impact on moulding my thinking and actions in what I am today.
I completed my graduation in BA (Hons) Economics from Sri Ram College of Commerce, New Delhi, and received my Chartered Accountant designation in 1978 from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, New Delhi. I wanted to be an architect, but fate had other plans for me. I was on my way to write the entrance exam for the Delhi School of Architecture, my cherished dream, but due to heavy rains and the delays caused by them, I got very late to the exam centre. Rather than waste a whole year, I thought it better to join a Chartered Accountant firm. So that is how I became a CA by default and the first thing I left after qualifying was accounting and taxation.
Landing my first job as Assistant Manager Finance with JK Synthetics Ltd in Kanpur, I was moved to Delhi a year later, and from there to their Kenya operations in 1982. Three years later, I took up a job in Tanzania and was posted to Moshi – a beautiful small town in the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro. In almost nine years that I spent in East Africa, I learnt a lot of essential business skills. Those were probably the most exciting years of my life.
The best times of my life, with my wife
In 1981, just before I was transferred to Africa to help restructure the operations, I married a brilliant linguist from Amritsar, Annupam, who was an Assistant Professor, teaching Russian at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. The joy of our life, our twin sons, Abhimanyu and Abhishek, were born in Kenya. They were a handful at first as we could not afford extra help and lived away from the family in India, but then we got used to the routine and received a lot of help from our new friends.
For me, the ultimate happiness comes from my family. Annu and I have been married for over 38 years now. We complement each other in many ways. She is my greatest supporter and an honest critic, always keeping me grounded. And, recently being blessed with our grandson Avir, has brought even more happiness in our live.
A journey from job to business
In June 1990, we moved to Canada. The main reason being that Abhishek and Abhimanyu were growing up and my job was transferrable. We wanted to give the children a good education and a steady, comfortable life where they could participate and grow in a healthy environment. I was plain lucky to have a job on arrival.
After working in various management roles in USA and Canada, in 2001 I decided to go on my own and formed XactScribe Inc, an Ontario-based transcription company. The company converted voice files to word documents for medical doctors and business community as a whole. Taking advantage of time difference, having the work done in India and quality checked in Canada, it brought a lot of efficiency to the clients. I then used the same concept to start another outsourcing venture in supporting business processes. Later in 2010, Starling Corporation, a management consulting company that helps small businesses in four key areas – Market Research, Business Development, Supply Chain and Financing – was established.
Warren Buffett and 3G had decided to close their Canadian Heinz food processing facilities in 2013. With few friends, I spearheaded the purchase of the foot facility in Leamington, the tomato capital of Canada. We could only hire 250 employees initially; however, over the next four years the company grew and the workforce grew to over 600. In the six seasons, we have raised processing capacity from 80 million pounds of tomatoes per annum to 340 million pounds, of which 40 million we farm ourselves.
If you believe in it, you’ve got to do it
A wise man once said that if you want to get some work done, give it to a busy person! Even in my busy business life, if there is one thing I have never forgotten to do is to help others. I started giving back to the community even before I left India in 1982. With a firm belief that giving back to the community is very important, this continued while I was in Africa and increased once I reached Canada. This is something I learnt from my mother, who was always there for others. I think it is now in my DNA.
I started serving on various boards of organisations, helping them build strong communities through fundraising and sharing and implementing progressive ideas and plans. I have supported community organisations, including the Royal Ontario Museum, Harbourfront Centre, Textile Museum of Canada, Markham Stouffville Hospital, Bridgepoint Healthcare, Victims of Fort McMurray fire disaster, UHN, Prostate Cancer Canada to name a few.
At present, I sit on the Boards of four not-for-profit organisations, Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation, The Commonwealth Games Foundation Canada, Skin Canada Canada and George Brown College. Also, I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to be both the Chairman of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and President of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce. Being a Director on the Boards of the Toronto Regional Board of Trade and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, I have served on business boards on all three levels of Government.
For my achievements and contributions, I am humble to have been recognised with many awards including the Lifetime Outstanding Achievement Award from the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce, The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Bob Marley Humanitarian Award, 2019 Professional Excellence Award from the Transformation Institute for Leadership and Innovation.
Learning it from my parents, I have tried to teach my sons to work hard and give back to society. I am glad our decision of migrating to Canada turned out to be a wise one since they got into their choice of fields. Abhimanyu, a banker, completed his MBA from the Rotman School of Business, Toronto, while Abhishek is busy with his own ventures. In 2018, Abhimanyu got married to Priya, an engineer, and they were blessed with a son, Avir… our bundle of joy!
Philosophy
Live by example and treat others as you want them to treat you
I love…
Helping others and giving back to the community.
I’d suggest the youth…
To follow their dreams, focus and work hard and during the journey not to forget to have fun!
Success Mantra
Remember, failure is also a path to success. Don’t let it discourage you.
The world doesn’t know that…
I am concerned that if we do not collectively address the global environmental problems, there may not be life on our planet!
Gallery
ISBN : 9788193397695