My heritage, my business: Sartaj’s story

Written by Sartaj Gill - Director, Head of Tax Investigation, Housman Consulting Ltd

I have no back story, my life and background are amazingly simple.

I came to the UK with my parents in 1966 at the age of 3.

I would love to say ‘born and bred’ in Birmingham but I was born in the Punjab in Northern India but you get my drift!

All my schooling and further education was in this country.

I left Brunel University in London in 1985. I joined HM Revenue & Customs as a tax inspector and enjoyed it so much, I stayed for over 36 years.

In December 2020, I set up my own company, Housman Consulting, providing tax investigation and accountancy services.

I am proud of my South Asian heritage and would not have it any other way.

My earliest memories are the hard work, determination and sacrifices made by my parents as we were growing up in the UK.

I remember my dad working in iron foundries in the mid 1970’s, no car in those days, he walked to work, five miles each way, come rain or snow just so that he could provide for the family.

He would arrive home covered in bruises and sweat due to the hot molten metal but he did not make a big thing out of it.

I remember my mum juggling time between her full time job and ensuring her 4 children were looked after and got the best education possible.

It was fish and chips on a Friday and Dharmendra at the cinema on a Sunday!

It may be stating the obvious but my background and heritage has shaped my thinking and approach both in my personal life and my professional dealings in business.

The big lesson for me was honesty, hard work and to treat other people as you would want to be treated by them.

I went to an inner city school in a deprived area, very few people made it to University.

I was in awe of most of the people at University who came from diverse backgrounds and wealth levels.

I soon learnt, through application and hard work, that you were the same if not better than most of the students.

You work hard and study hard, you get results.

My South Asian heritage means everything to me.

It has helped me to be decisive and honest in my business dealings and also appreciate the value of building trust and relationships with people - all values embedded in me from a young age.

The question of culture and heritage is important; the act of ‘seva’ (performing selfless service without expecting any reward) applies to my personal and business life, in other words be honest and straight in your dealings at all levels and give back where you can.

My message to the next generation of South Asian professionals? Do not forget where you come from, do not forget where you started and live by the principles demonstrated by your parents when they first arrived in the UK.

My family was traditional (much like everyone really) and the elders encouraged the boys to pursue education and careers but no keen on girls getting into higher education.

As far as the family were concerned, as soon as a girl left school, she was to be married (arranged) off to another family in another town.

Even in this day it happens, I say, ignore community ‘tittle tattle’ and the busy aunties and just fly and fly high and encourage more and women to enter into professions and business.