HE STARTED his business from scratch, building it up to a £185m turnover manufacturing success story.
Now, Hull City owner Dr Assem Allam is to share his tips for success with other would-be entrepreneurs.
Dr Allam, who founded Melton-based Allam Marine, will be the keynote speaker at an event for people who are either thinking of starting their own businesses or want to take their existing company to the next level.
The free event is being staged by Humberside and District Society of Chartered Accountants (HDSCA) and the University of Hull's Graduate Entrepreneurship Project, and will also examine how Mr Allam's degree in accountancy helped form a foundation on which he has built an enviable career.
He said: "Studying accountancy was instrumental in developing the skills I needed to take Allam Marine forward; there is simply no substitute for having a thorough working knowledge of the financials of a company."
The founder of Allam Marine graduated from Ain-Shams University in Cairo in 1960 with a BSc in accountancy.
He went on to complete a post graduate diploma in business administration before working as a senior auditor in the Ministry of Finance.
After settling in East Yorkshire he was accepted for the masters degree programme at the University of Hull's department of economics and worked as an accountant at merchant banking group Charterhouse before founding Allam Marine.
Mr Allam said having a thorough grounding in accountancy, financial affairs and financial management "had been a significant factor in the success of his company".
He said: "It informs every decision you make and ensures you are always acting in the best interests of the business."
The successful entrepreneur will join a panel of leading local business advisers and professionals to give their top tips on starting a business.
The event takes place at the University of Hull's Enterprise Centre on Thursday, June 27, from 1pm to 4pm.
Alan Brocklehurst, partner at Sadofsky's Accountants in Hull and president of the HDSCA, said: "Today's start-ups are tomorrow's significant small and medium-sized enterprises, offering employment, training and improving the skill base of the local economy. It is essential they get the right advice at an early stage to maximise their growth potential.
"Dr Allam has built a very successful company from scratch and is great example to anyone starting a business of what can be achieved if they take a risk and work hard."
Other panel members include John Gilleard, partner at Dutton Moore accountants; Nigel Beckwith, partner at Gosschalks Solicitors; Paul Slade from the Humber Business Banking Team at NatWest; and Alan Gordon Freeman, of Sirius.
For Entrepreneurs Only, Sirius, KC Invest, Capability Mentors, East Riding Support Network, University of Hull Knowledge Exchange, Acorn Fund, Rollits solicitors, Yorkshire Finance and the Federation of Small Businesses will also be exhibiting at the event.
Visit www.freeadvice.eventbrite.co.uk, call Alexia on 0113 322 0874 or email at alexia. bahadur@icaew.com to reserve your place.
