Abdul Rahman, Bilal Poultry, Bolton

WHEN he was growing up, Abdul Rahman wanted to be successful at whatever he decided to do — be it a footballer, dentist, doctor or accountant.

He has achieved his boyhoood dream by working his way up the family business, Bilal Poultry, where he is now business director, all the while studying for his accountancy qualifications.

He has helped build up Bilal Poultry into a successful specialist supplier of halal poultry products in the UK Europe and beyond.

Mr Rahman said: “I joined the family business determined to make it big in the world of business.

“I first started working in sales and then, after three years, after successfully negotiating a large contract, I was moved up the hierarchy, and was made business relations director.

“I have contributed to playing a large hand in the acquisition of the former H&S Openshaw’s site, increasing the product range, “And we plan to further diversify into fish, meat, and prepared frozen food products.

“More recently, I have set up my own frozen food manufacturing company with my brother, Waheed, called Britannia Foods Ltd, also based in Bolton.”

The idea for the current business stemmed from a lack of specialist poultry processors in the filleting and deboning of fresh halal poultry.

Bilal Poultry Products has recently moved into a 30,000 sq ft, self-contained, purpose-built manufacturing facility in central Bolton and the new site has the capacity to handle 500,000 units each week.

Mr Rahman, who also handles the firm’s accounts, said: “I think it’s just fantastic to be nominated for Young Entrepreneur section of the Bolton and Bury Business Awards.

“When I heard I was really shocked and I’m still in shock to be honest as the company won some ethnic business awards earlier this year.”