Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Gandys Flip Flops owner to inspire at Leeds Business School lecture
The event, which promises to be one of the most inspirational of the current free public guest lecture series at Leeds Business School, will take place on Tuesday 18 March from 6pm-7.30pm in the Rose Bowl.
The 2004 Boxing Day tsunami in Sri Lanka orphaned Rob; his twin Paul and their four siblings narrowly surviving themselves. Almost a decade later, Rob and Paul are leading entrepreneurs who own a successful flip flop business, which was launched in 2012.
Rob will speak about entrepreneurship in general and how this has helped to create a successful high profile business amidst considerable challenges, both from a personal and professional point of view. He will explain the concept of global social enterprise and demonstrate how this achievement has been incorporated into a commercial environment. The talk will conclude with the opportunity to ask him questions.
Since its launch, Gandys has received a whirlwind of media attention and sales success. The company is a social enterprise that donates 10% of profits to its 'Orphans for Orphans' mission, where it aims to build children's homes around the world. To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the tsunami this year, the brothers are on target to open their first children's home in their parents' memory. The flip flops are now stocked in leading UK high street stores across the country, as well as a leading online boutique.
Paul Houghton, who has organised the lecture series and is a Principal Lecturer in Leeds Metropolitan's Faculty of Business and Law, said: "Rob's story is unique and getting to hear first-hand about what he and Paul have achieved against the odds, using their entrepreneurial skills and initiative, will be both insightful and inspiring for those who attend his lecture."