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Interview with entrepreneur and philanthropist ALAN EDWARDS

Please could you tell us about your background and how it leads to the work you do today?

As a young adult I developed a keen interest in sports which ultimately led me to become an amateur boxer which I believe gave me the focus and discipline and help me to succeed in business. From a young age, I remember vividly at the age of 12, my first goal was to pay for a ski trip which my parents at that time could not afford, to be able to do this I worked in numerous jobs. After successfully completing my goal, I set another yet then another goals; I suppose you could have called me an entrepreneur.

By the age of 23 I saw the potential in the Information Systems industry and then decided that would be where my future would be. In my spare time I completed a BSc Degree in IT and then entered into the industry working for privately owned distributors before setting up my own IT Company (OISG Group) in 2004.

Even though my prime business is the above mention, I can say that ‘Alan Edwards’ as a ‘brand’ goes much further than that. as I also have businesses in the fitness, clothing and motor industries together with my work with the Orangutan foundation for which I’m honoured to be their trustee.

Where are you based?

My roots are East London from the original days of the dockland all the way through to the new finance district

Who else is behind your brand?

I’m extremely blessed to count with a brilliant set of professionals. I count of key people who have believed in me since the beginning of my journey, who have followed me into battle and who have stayed with me throughout. These key people are now my core support structure not only in my personal life but business too.

What or who has been the biggest singular influence on your work?

I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t say that back then the aim of my success started under the inspirations of the 80‘s revolution, getting at the age of 18 my dream car a ‘Porche 911 Carrera’ in guards red, wearing a Rolex and soon after purchasing my first apartment in Canary Wharf. Back then I was merely influenced by what the world call ‘success’. However now after learning that material things don’t brings you happiness I believe what influence my life, my business my future is the seeking for inner growth,helping others, learning new things and exploring the world and its mysteries, what is important for me is to be in peace with the universe and people around me this is what influence my work and keep me going in strength to strength.

Which project have you enjoyed working on the most so far?

As I mention before, one of my first’spassions was the sports and even back then I had a dream, this was to building a state of the art luxury health and fitness club in the heart of canary wharf.

Now the Limehouse Marina Elite Fitness Health Clubis a reality and incorporates state of the art fitness equipment and is Europe’s most state of the art boxing facility ever build (including Altitude chambers, instant playback facilities, Ice baths and on site medical facilities). It also boasts one of the largest stables of professional and amateur boxers in Europe incorporating the Limehouse Marina Elite Boxing Academy in association with TEAM GB which invests in the Youth of Tower Hamlets.