Roger Bhatnagar

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Sir Roger Bhatnagar

KNZM
Born
Rajeshwar Sarup Bhatnagar

1942/1943 (age 78–79)
India
OccupationBusinessman

Sir Rajeshwar Sarup "Roger" Bhatnagar KNZM (born 1942/1943)[1] is a retired New Zealand businessman, known for his association with consumer electronics chain, Noel Leeming.

Biography[]

Born in India, Bhatnagar migrated to New Zealand with his family from Canada in 1980.[2][3] The same year, he opened his first home audio store in central Auckland, and it quickly grew into the Sound Plus chain.[3] In 1991, he purchased the Noel Leeming chain with his business associate, Greg Lancaster, from Smiths City, in receivership at that time, for around $3 million. In 1993, Noel Leeming was listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange with a market capitalisation of about $26 million, and in 1995 the company was the subject of a failed $56 million takeover bid by Skellerup. The following year, Noel Leeming merged with competitor Bond & Bond, to form Pacific Retail, and in 1997, Bhatnagar's wealth was estimated as $28 million.[4] In 1998, Bhatnagar stepped down as chairman and an executive director of Pacific Retail,[5] and he divested his interests in the company in 1999.[6]

In 1993, Bhatnagar was involved in setting up Burger King in New Zealand, but sold his 50 percent interest two years later.[5] He retired from active involvement in business in 2007.[7]

Bhatnagar has supported a number of charitable causes in New Zealand, including the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation, child cancer and diabetes.[1] In 1997, he donated $250,000 to the Breast Cancer Foundation.[8] In 2017, Bhatnagar's collection of cricket memorabilia was donated to Auckland Cricket, and it was put on permanent display at the Bert Sutcliffe Lounge at Eden Park.[9]

Honours[]

In the 1998 Queen's Birthday Honours, Bhatnagar was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to business and the community,[10] becoming the first Indian to be knighted in New Zealand.[2]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "The NBR rich list 2003: Sir Rajeshwar Sarup (Roger) Bhatnagar, 60". National Business Review. 18 July 2003.
  2. ^ a b Samson, Alan (1 June 1998). "Too young to be Dame Susan, says Devoy". The Dominion. p. 1.
  3. ^ a b Gill, Peter (25 November 1994). "Retailer with a lot of bottle ponders life as a bought man". National Business Review. p. 54.
  4. ^ "Knight rode high on retailing". Evening Post. 1 June 1998. p. 9.
  5. ^ a b Main, Victoria (25 May 1998). "Whineray, Bhatnagar tipped for knighthood". The Dominion. p. 1.
  6. ^ Hendery, Simon (25 September 2001). "Watson takeover bid arrives at last". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  7. ^ "About the Bhatnagar family". Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  8. ^ "Businessman backs breast cancer education series". East and Bays Courier. 2 July 1997. p. 10. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  9. ^ "Sir Roger Bhatnagar collection donated to Auckland Cricket". Scoop Independent News. 22 November 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  10. ^ "Queen's Birthday honours list 1998". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 1 June 1998. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
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