Early Life
James Caan was born in Lahore, Pakistan. His father was Abdul Rashid Khan, a leather worker; he was born into a household of three brothers and three sisters. His father brought the family to the East End of London in 1962. The family settled in a home just off Brick Lane, and Abdul started a business making leather jackets.
Caan got his first job in the recruitment industry at the age of 18, when he joined Holborn-based Premier Personnel as a trainee interviewer. Within the year he moved to the larger City Centre Staff Bureau as a branch manager, before being headhunted by Alfred Marks, where he became manager of their Oxford Street branch. Finally, Caan settled down in the recruitment department of reid Trevena, an incentive-driven financial services company.
Business Activity
Alexander Mann (1985–2002)
In 1985, after several years investing in his wife's chain of boutiques, Caan decided to found his own recruitment company, Alexander Mann. In 1992, Caan appointed someone to run the business allowing himself the freedom to develop his other business interests. In 1999, he sold a minority stake in Alexander Mann Group for £25m. The business was then valued at £60m by Advent International. In 2002, he sold his majority stake for an unknown amount. At the time Alexander Mann was turning over £130m a year and operating across Australia, Europe, and Asia.
Further businesses (1993–2006)
In 1989, Caan co-founded executive headhunting firm Humana International with Doug Bugie, eventually growing the business to over 147 offices in 30 countries, and launched the trade magazine Recruitment International, with David Head. In 1996, he set up business process outsourcing company Alexander Mann Solutions with Rosaleen Blair. Caan later sold Humana International to CDI International in 1999, his stake in Recruitment International to co-founder and editor David Head in 2000, and Alexander Mann Solutions in 2002.
Hamilton Bradshaw (2003 – present)
In 2003, Caan set up London-based Hamilton Bradshaw, a mid-market private equity company. The Company’s portfolio contains firms in all sectors of industry, although it lists its interests as buyouts, development capital, and turnarounds. In 2006 it bought sandwich shop chain Benjys, which collapsed 9months later into liquidation. In 2007 it bought public and private sector recruitment specialist Eden Brown with revenues at over £180m. The company has already increased profits by 70% through a combination of investment and greater efficiency in the first six months of ownership. At present, Hamilton Bradshaw manages 41 companies, with a combined yearly turnover of £400m, and a real estate portfolio valued at £35m.
The Big Issue (2009–present)
On 1st December 2009, Caan was invited to become the Chairman of The Big Issue Magazine. A positive move to inject some entrepreneurial expertise, particularly with a view to bringing the publication into the digital age.
Caan continues to champion entrepreneurship in the UK and recent activity has seen him working closely with Enterprise UK. Caan was honoured to open the parliamentary reception of the Government funded campaign ‘Global Entrepreneurship Week’ run by Enterprise UK during the week of 16 – 22 November 2009, organisations in over 80 countries ran thousands of events to inspire people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity.
Caan also joined the ‘Flying Start Rally’ and talked to young entrepreneurs about his journey, successes and failures, and how to make it in big in business.
James was appointed Co-Chair of the Department of Business’ Ethnic Minority Task Force (EMBTF)in June 2007. EMBTF supports over 280,000 businesses, contributing in excess of £20 billion a year to the UK economy Task Force. James was enthusiastic and excited about his role as Co-Chair of the Department of Business' Ethnic Minority Task Force.
Throughout his career, James has had great success working with entrepreneurial start-ups, and enjoys this sector the most. He relishes the chance to provide something tangible on this scale, working alongside the Government. As Chair of The Ethnic Minority Business Task Force, Caan presented a report to government outlining the Economic Case for Investment in Ethnic Minority Business.
Autobiography
Caan published his autobiography, The Real Deal: My Story from Brick Lane to Dragons’ Den; in November, 2008. It reveals the incredilbe story of James Caan's remarkable life, journeying from his childhood to his phenomenal success. The book provides insight into the ups and downs of business, offering a detailed account of what success truthfully entails.
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