ABDUL Rahman’s hard work in building up the family poultry business paid off handsomely when he won the Young Entrepreneur trophy at the Bolton and Bury Business Awards.

A delighted Mr Rahman said: “I am absolutely shocked.

“I am really grateful to the judges and the judging panel for choosing me as Young Entrepreneur but I have worked hard to get where I am.

“But this award is a tribute to the company and to my three brothers who have mentored me in the business.”

Mr Rahman achieved his boyhood dream by working his way up the family business, Bilal Poultry, where he is now business director — all while studying for his accountancy qualifications.

He has helped build up Bilal Poultry into a successful specialist supplier of halal poultry products in the UK Europe and further afield.

Mr Rahman said: “I first started working in sales, and then after three years, after successfully negotiating a large contract, I was moved up the hierarchy, and was made business relations director.

“I have contributed to playing a large hand in the acquisition of the former H&S Openshaw’s site, increasing the product range, “And we plan to further diversify into fish, meat, and prepared frozen food products. More recently I have set up my own frozen food manufacturing company with my brother Waheed called Britannia Foods Ltd, also based in Bolton.”

The idea for the current business stemmed from a lack of specialist poultry processors specialising in the filleting and deboning of fresh halal poultry.

Bilal Poultry Products has just recently relocated into a 30,000 sq ft, self-contained, purpose-built manufacturing facility in central Bolton and the new site has the capacity to handle 500,000 units each week.

This year’s Young Entrepreneur Award was sponsored by new sponsors Bolton School.