DR. POONAM GUPTA O.B.E.
Chief Executive PG Paper
Dr. Poonam Gupta OBE's journey to establishing a successful international paper company began when she arrived in Scotland in 2002.
“I had an MBA in international business, but no one would employ me because I had no experience”.
Instead, she launched her own business from her kitchen in Inverclyde, trading redundant waste materials. Through this, she discovered a key insight: there is always a market for goods when you buy at the right price - an insight that became a fundamental pillar of PG Paper's success.
Today, Poonam is a recognised entrepreneur in the UK and beyond. She remains committed to expanding PG Paper worldwide, venturing into new business fields and mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Her portfolio of companies continues to diversify, operating in over 60 countries, with offices across the globe.
With a career-long interest in strengthening and enabling greater collaboration between Scotland and India; Poonam led a successful Scottish Chambers Task Force to India in 2019. She has been recognised as one of the ‘100 Most Influential in UK-India Relations’ by India Inc Group. Poonam is currently Chair of the UK India Manufacturing Council, FICCI, the largest and oldest apex business organisation in India.
Sacha Jafri Painting of Virat Kohli
Poonam Gupta made headlines in 2017 when she bought a painting depicting Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli's participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) by the British-born painter Sacha Jafri.
Poonam is a keen art collector and the painting was one of her most expensive art purchases so far. However, more importantly, it was secured at a charity event raising funds for the Virat Kohli Foundation to tackle human trafficking, a cause close to Poonam's heart.
The combination of cricket, for which there is enormous enthusiasm in India, and philanthropy generated massive media interest for months afterwards with coverage in The Times of India, Indian Express, The Huffington Post, News 18, and the Business Standard amongst others.
Philanthropist
Poonam Gupta believes that with success comes a responsibility to give back, and charitable work is a thread woven throughout her life and career.
Poonam led PG Paper’s India Covid Appeal providing much-needed oxygen concentrators throughout India during the country’s deadly second Covid wave, helping an estimated 10,000 hospital patients across the country. Poonam and her team sourced over 3,000 oxygen concentrators, delivering and distributing them to NGOs, hospitals, and Covid centres around India in a concerted effort to meet the country’s urgent need for oxygen. Her appeal generated significant press interest with coverage in The Herald, The CBI, The Greenock Telegraph, and The HindiWay. Read more about Poonam’s India Covid Appeal here.
On her frequent business visits to India, Poonam always takes time to visit humanitarian projects, particularly the schools and orphanages she and her husband Puneet support.
Poonam is a benefactor of many local, national and international charities; with a particular focus on woman-centric issues, disadvantaged children, gender equality and animal conservation.
In recognition for her service to charity and business, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s New Year Honours List in 2016.
Awards
Poonam’s entrepreneurial and business efforts have also been acknowledged by her peer group and the industry at large; for which she has received several business awards. She was awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and, most recently, was named Global Entrepreneur of the Year for the Scotland and Northern Ireland region at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards in 2023.
