Hotelier Vinu Bhattessa receives OBE from King Charles III

Noted hotelier Kishorkant (Vinu) Bhattessa, who was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Her Majesty The Queen in the Birthday Honours List for 2022, received his honour from King Charles III at Windsor Castle on February 14.

A longstanding trustee of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha in the UK, Bhattessa has been serving BAPS for almost 40 years and was a key figure during the construction of Neasden Temple, one of the first traditionally built Hindu temples outside India. He has also been an integral part of the mission to build 12 centres across Europe, and assisting with the Hindu temples in North America and Akshardham Temple in New Delhi, India.

Further to his contributions to BAPS, fostering UK culture has been important to Bhattessa, as is evident within his country hotel, Pendley Manor, famed for its cultural heritage.

He has grown the annual Open-Air Shakespeare Festival over 40 years, attracting over 500,000 people. The festival provides a platform for successful actors, including Dame Judi Dench, Caroline Quentin and Lynda Bellingham who spoke fondly to the BBC about the impact and influence Pendley had on her career, as well as a recent book published and dedicated to his work, A Perspective on Pendley.

Bhattessa has worked closely with various charities, including The Springboard Charity that helps youth find employment and, most recently, supported the emergency appeal for India’s Covid-19 crisis arranging ventilators, as well as supplying concierge services through his hotels to the local community and supplies to key London hospitals throughout Covid-19. He is also a Founders Circle member of the British Asian Trust.

Born in Kenya, Bhattessa initially worked for his family business in Nairobi, often travelling through Europe to buy machinery for steel manufacturing factories. He permanently moved to the UK in 1981 and bought his first hotel the same year.

Bhattessa collaborates and supports humanitarian work through hosting events for Age UK, The Heart Foundation, Diabetes UK and Cancer Research.

However, Bhattessa is perhaps known more for his vibrancy and tenacity in daily philanthropic work, and the importance of contribution to the wider community.