84 | ASIA ONE | JULY-AUGUST 2018
leaving university, her passion and skills for juggling
financial figures helped her quickly reach the top
echelons of multinational corporate banking.
Then, she decided to change course!
BACK TO SCHOOL
A firm believer that school and learning are an intrinsic
part of one’s life, and they make people strong, Dr.
Gandhi decided to pursue her passion for education by
helping to educate young children.
She shares, “I enjoyed my time in corporate banking,
but I realised a decade ago that there was a need for
quality early childcare in this country. Besides, I’m
passionate about education and I’ve always had an
entrepreneurial streak.”
Thus were laid the first foundations of British Orchard
Nursery, a crèche business in the UAE, which employs
more than 100 people currently.
Inspired by the advises and working of her late father,
Mr. Kumar Gandhi, who was a native of Mumbai, lived
in Abu Dhabi for 45 years and ran a successful shipping
business, she trusted her entrepreneurial instincts, love
for education and her desire to help children make a
robust base for education and personality before moving
on to primary school.
“He was my role model,” she says about her father.
“I learnt everything I know about business from him -
including the need to be courageous, to have willpower,
and to maintain direction. He gave me great moral and
emotional support throughout his whole life. And it was
he who encouraged me to start the British Orchard
Nursery.”
Quick in making both decisions and expansions, Dr.
Gandhi already has well established 10 branches across
the UAE and plans to expand the business to other parts
of the region and India.
She is excited about her unique approach to childcare,
and asserts, “What marks us out is our dedication
to providing quality childcare. We make sure all the
children in our care are progressing at the right level
and monitor their progress regularly. What’s more, we
maintain rigorous policies throughout all our schools
and employ the very best of staff - most of whom are
from the UK.”
Her childcare approach is holistic, where with
education safety and security of children in addition to
parents’ direct involvement wherever possible is ensured.
Her commitment to child safety is evident when she
describes, “We even have CCTV footage installed so that
parents can watch their children throughout the day from
their offices or homes.”
Spirited about her own educational achievements on the
sides while she manages time out of her busy schedule,
she shares about her doctorate in early education from the
University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. “I’m very
excited about finishing my studies. And I hope to present
the findings to the Government of the UAE. I believe the
country should benefit from my research.”
At the same time, she is thankful for choosing a place
like the UAE for her business, as she feels this was one of“I ENJOYED MY TIME IN CORPORATE
BANKING, BUT I REALISED A DECADE AGO
THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR QUALITY
EARLY CHILDCARE IN THIS COUNTRY.
MY PASSION FOR EDUCATION AND MY
ENTREPRENEURIAL STREAK HELPED”
her best decisions. “I thank the rulers of this country for
the ease in which I am able to do business here. I’ve had
a lot of support from government departments here and
it’s obvious too that they respect women.”PERSON OF MULTIPLE INTERESTS
Whenever she is able to find time out of her working in
the school or studying for her degrees or caring for her
own children, Dr. Gandhi pursues her hobbies such as
painting portraits in oil, calligraphy, table tennis and
reading books on spirituality, and if she is not doing any
of these, she does yoga. “I practice sun salutations first
thing every morning and I also meditate,” she explains.
“Both yoga and meditation keep me spiritually balanced
and able to work better.SHAPING THE FUTURE OF LITTLE ONES
Having been brought up on a strong value system
herself, Dr. Gandhi has instilled the same values in her
organization, promoting respect, integrity, equality,
diversity, responsibilities and innovation, which
cumulatively provide a comprehensive framework and
the élan vital of British Orchard Nursery making it the
first nursery chain operating all over the UAE with 15
prime locations in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Dubai,
including significant government collaborations.2017-18
PERSON OF THE YEAR
DR. VANDANA
GANDHI