Sun Mark was started by Ahuja’s father-in-law, Dr Rami Ranger CBE, who is now the chairman. The company has won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade for five consecutive years.
Ahuja has helped grow the business from £8m annual turnover when he joined in 2002 to nearer £200m today.
He explained that the company’s strategy has been to sell a range of products from leading brands that include Nestlé, Unilever and Mondelēz, in unstructured emerging markets where there is often “organised chaos”.
“We are good in any market that is difficult. It’s not easy and not for the faint-hearted,” he said.
A prominent factor behind Sun Mark’s success is its people. “It’s about bringing your people together so they understand your plan and see it the same way you do. Otherwise, you are guaranteed to fail,” he said.
Sun Mark exports to over 130 countries and currently has its sites in the UK, Dubai and Nigeria.
“We are bullish about growth in the Middle East and Africa,” said Ahuja.