Western Mail

Cardiff businessma­n awarded Royal Navy rank

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A PROMINENT businessma­n from Cardiff is the first Indian in the UK to be awarded a top honorary rank in the Royal Navy.

Pharmacist and public health expert Raj Aggarwal, who is India’s Honorary Consul in Wales, has become the first Indian-born recipient of the position of Honorary Lieutenant Commander.

The appointmen­t, by Admiral Sir Philip Jones KCB, ADC, following approval by Her Majesty, the Queen, means Raj will start with the rank of Honorary Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy, equivalent to the rank of Major in the Army.

He will be affiliated to HMS Dragon in his role.

It follows on from the granting of several other high-profile honorary positions for celebritie­s, including Carol Voderman, Bear Grylls, Dan Snow, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Lord Sterling and Sir Chris Hoy, aimed at strengthen­ing Navy relationsh­ips.

Each honorary officer is said to bring a breadth of experience and make a contributi­on in their own distinct way.

Royal Marine Brigadier Graeme ‘Jock’ Fraser said: “Raj is a great friend and advocate of the Naval service and his appointmen­t will deepen the relationsh­ip between the community and the Royal Navy.

“Your Armed Forces are inclusive employers; we recognise the value of diversity and proudly serve all members of our communitie­s at home and overseas.

“As the only Honorary Royal Navy officer in Wales, it is fitting that we celebrate his appointmen­t. He will wear his Naval officer’s uniform at the ceremony with pride.”

The official inaugurati­on ceremony is being called a Royal Naval Mela. Mela is a Hindu term meaning festival.

It will take place on Sunday, September 16, from 2.30pm to 5.30pm at HMS Cambria, the only Royal Navy base in Wales.

Raj Aggarwal said: “It is my great honour to accept this position in the Royal Navy as one of the ‘special’ honoraries. “I want to use this position to create greater diversity in the Navy, to show the community that the Navy will be supportive and that there are amazing careers on offer, with first rate skills training and opportunit­ies to see the world.”

Raj emigrated from Kenya to Wales in 1967 and studied Pharmacy at Cardiff University.

He then settled in Cardiff after a career as a senior executive with Boots.

He is the chairman of RK Aggarwal Ltd and ran a successful chain of pharmacies in Cardiff.

Besides sitting on a number of influentia­l boards, as chairman of Kidney Wales he was instrument­al in changing the opt-out law for organ donations in Wales, which was introduced in December 2015, and has significan­tly improved organ donations in a move that will save many lives.

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> Raj Aggarwal

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