Member Article

Businessman (and Sri Lanka tsunami survivor) discusses retail success at Leeds Met

Businessman, tsunami survivor and co-founder of Gandys Flip Flops, Rob Forkan, is to speak at Leeds Metropolitan University.

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 Forkan, co-founder Gandys Flip Flops pictured.

Since its launch, Gandys has received a whirlwind of media attention and sales success. The flip flops are now stocked in leading UK high street stores across the country.

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.

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.

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.”

The event, at Leeds Business School, will take place on Tuesday 18 March from 6pm-7.30pm in the Rose Bowl. Places are limited and must be booked online.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .