Roger Bhatnagar

Sir Rajeshwar Sarup "Roger" Bhatnagar KNZM (born 1942/1943)[1] is a retired New Zealand businessman, known for his association with consumer electronics chain, Noel Leeming.

Sir Roger Bhatnagar

KNZM
Born
Rajeshwar Sarup Bhatnagar

1942/1943 (age 77–78)
India
OccupationBusinessman

Biography

Born in India, Bhatnagar migrated to New Zealand with his family from Canada in 1980.[2][3] The same year, he opened his first home audio store in central Auckland, and it quickly grew into the Sound Plus chain.[3] In 1991, he purchased the Noel Leeming chain with his business associate, Greg Lancaster, from Smiths City, in receivership at that time, for around $3 million. In 1993, Noel Leeming was listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange with a market capitalisation of about $26 million, and in 1995 the company was the subject of a failed $56 million takeover bid by Skellerup. The following year, Noel Leeming merged with competitor Bond & Bond, to form Pacific Retail, and in 1997, Bhatnagar's wealth was estimated as $28 million.[4] In 1998, Bhatnagar stepped down as chairman and an executive director of Pacific Retail,[5] and he divested his interests in the company in 1999.[6]

In 1993, Bhatnagar was involved in setting up Burger King in New Zealand, but sold his 50 percent interest two years later.[5] He retired from active involvement in business in 2007.[7]

Bhatnagar has supported a number of charitable causes in New Zealand, including the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation, child cancer and diabetes.[1] In 1997, he donated $250,000 to the Breast Cancer Foundation.[8] In 2017, Bhatnagar's collection of cricket memorabilia was donated to Auckland Cricket, and it was put on permanent display at the Bert Sutcliffe Lounge at Eden Park.[9]

Honours

In the 1998 Queen's Birthday Honours, Bhatnagar was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to business and the community,[10] becoming the first Indian to be knighted in New Zealand.[2]

References
  1. "The NBR rich list 2003: Sir Rajeshwar Sarup (Roger) Bhatnagar, 60". National Business Review. 18 July 2003.
  2. Samson, Alan (1 June 1998). "Too young to be Dame Susan, says Devoy". The Dominion. p. 1.
  3. Gill, Peter (25 November 1994). "Retailer with a lot of bottle ponders life as a bought man". National Business Review. p. 54.
  4. "Knight rode high on retailing". Evening Post. 1 June 1998. p. 9.
  5. Main, Victoria (25 May 1998). "Whineray, Bhatnagar tipped for knighthood". The Dominion. p. 1.
  6. Hendery, Simon (25 September 2001). "Watson takeover bid arrives at last". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  7. "About the Bhatnagar family". Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  8. "Businessman backs breast cancer education series". East and Bays Courier. 2 July 1997. p. 10. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  9. "Sir Roger Bhatnagar collection donated to Auckland Cricket". Scoop Independent News. 22 November 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  10. "Queen's Birthday honours list 1998". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 1 June 1998. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
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