Zameer Choudrey joined Bestway Group as financial controller in 1984 and was promoted to chief executive in 2004, overseeing the acquisition of Well Pharmacy – formerly the Co-operative Pharmacy – for £620 million in 2014.

Mr Choudrey was born in Pakistan and moved to the UK when he was 12, but he still has “strong ties” with his home country, Well said yesterday (September 10).

Under his leadership, Bestway Group – which also consists of Bestway Wholesale, 760 Bestway Retail convenience stores, Bestway Cement and United Bank Limited – has become the largest British investor and philanthropic contributor in Pakistan, the multiple added.

In his role in the House of Lords, Mr Choudrey plans to “use his vast experience to build more bilateral trade, create more jobs here in the UK and improve foreign relations between the two countries”, Well said.

Mr Choudrey added: “It is an immense honour. I have always viewed the UK to be the land of opportunity and I look forward to contributing to the advancement of our great country.”