Tony, one of the UK’s youngest Managing Directors of a commercial radio station, has over the past five years steered Sunrise Radio to become the highest rated Asian radio station in the UK and the highest listening station (14.4 hours per week) in London. He has increased turnover for the station from £2.8 million to £4.8 million.                    

Launched in 1989, Sunrise Radio is the first 24-hour independent Asian radio station in the world and has successfully set the Asian culture in a Western context, promoting integration and harmony.

Tony’s involvement with the British Asian and mainstream community influenced the businessman to create the largest exhibition of Asian culture in the UK and Europe, Asian Lifestyle Show. Launched in July 2004, the show received huge acclaim and became the biggest show, in terms of revenue and attendance figures, to be staged at the Olympia since the days of the Clothes Show. The show has also been nominated for ‘Best Launch Show’ at this year’s AEO (Association of Exhibition Organisers) Excellence Awards, which will be taking place on 1st July 2005.

The entrepreneur has effectively combined his leading skills in management and retail to secure over 200 lifestyle exhibitors ranging from health to food and business as well as some of the biggest names in showbiz and fashion. 

‘’I understand the importance of customer satisfaction and have therefore created a leading exhibition of this calibre providing an interactive and entertaining experience for visitors’’ said Tony, who is expecting over 40,000 people to attend the Asian Lifestyle Show 2005 this year held from 8th to 10th July.                                           

“I have abided by the Sunrise Radio values - never shortchange the public. I want to deliver a show that is excellent value for money and if visitors are spending a pound, they should be receiving at least two pounds worth of product and service if not more.’’

Tony picked up the highly sought-after award for Marketing Excellence at the NTL Commercial Radio Awards 2004. The accolade was given in recognition of Sunrise Radio’s phenomenal results achieved for its Pepsico Walkers Crisps Campaign – the launch of a new range of flavours, ‘Great British Takeaways’, into the Independent Retail Trade.

Tony’s inspiration has been his father, Avtar Lit, the founder of Sunrise Radio. Despite achievements through his own tenacity, Tony feels he still has a long way to go before he can emulate his father’s success.

The aspiring businessman began his career on the shop floor for Next Retail Ltd whilst juggling a part-time modelling career with retailers like Harvey Nichols and Harrods. At 23, he moved swiftly up the management ladder to become the youngest General Manager of Moss Bros men’s wear at the flagship Regent St store in London. After eight years in retail, Tony joined Sunrise Radio in the autumn of 1998 as Commercial Director and was appointed Managing Director in January 2003.