Bina Briggs

My life began in Uganda, born to Indian parents it was just my sister and I . It was a life in the tropics of family, community and education. It was a life of values, ethics and standards. However, family life was of two halves, what happened in the home was not what was portrayed to the outside world.

In early August 1972, the President of Uganda, Idi Amin, ordered the expulsion of his country's Asian minority, giving them 90 days to leave the country. This was terrifying and we had to leave. So we arrived in Luton on October 7th, 1972, a day I will never forget. We were lucky as we all spoke English, including my Mum who spoke excellent English having been a teacher in Entebbe.

Not long after we arrived my father left and went to India, leaving my Mum to bring up my sister and me. We carved out a life for the three of us with determination to make it a success.

After being in the country for 6 weeks, I started a job as a junior data clerk in a company called Court Line at Luton Airport, followed by a career in IT with BT and over the years worked my way up, educating myself to move towards a job in HR. This led me into my role in HR and a long career at London Luton Airport. In 1981 I married Ian, a wonderful man and we share an amazing love of life and travel. Sadly in 2003 my beloved Mum passed away and she would be so very happy to know this book has been written.

In 2009 and I left the airport and started my own business, Plain Talking HR Initially with a business colleague and after her retirement, on my own, taking the business further.

My passion is inspiring other women to start and grow sustainable businesses, particularly Asian women, and older women. Starting my business much later in life, I feel that my story proves you are never too old to start a business or anything else that you want to have a go at!

I help with many community projects around me, Indian, Asian as well as the business communities at large.

Gender and racial equality are very important to me, so I am part of many steering groups in Bedfordshire and Luton. and regularly advise on Employment/HR Law matters.

Work continues to be important to me. My HR Consultancy is flourishing and in 2021 I was selected as one of the Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs in the F: Entrepreneur #ialso campaign.

With family spread across the globe, I spend a lot of my free time visiting relatives and friends but I am always happy to come home and spend time with hubby and my spoilt cats. Retirement is certainly not yet on the agenda!