In recognition of his outstanding entrepreneurial performance, Sayeed Hossain Chowdhury, Founder, Chairman and CEO of HRC Group, was awarded the prestigious international title "CPBU Business Entrepreneur of the Year 2007" by the Consortium of Professional Bodies & Universities (CPBU) of the United Kingdom at its annual Graduation Ceremony held at the Sir Alexander Fleming Hall, Imperial College of the University of London, in December 2007. He also received a special Award (approved by the Queen) as a leading Asian Entrepreneur for 2007.

"CPBU Business Entrepreneur of the Year" award is given once a year globally to just one entrepreneur making his or her mark either in the business field or in the field of social activity. The Selection Board of CPBU reviewed nineteen nominations for 2007 from across the world and after a thorough and careful evaluation finally conferred the honour on Sayeed Hossain Chowdhury, who thus became the first Bangladeshi entrepreneur ever to have received such special international recognition and awards.

The Chief of HRC Group is also the recipient of the highest Award of Honorary Fellowship of the Corporation of Executives Administrators (CEA). Established in 1981, the CEA is considered one of the historic Professional Bodies of Great Britain, The Lord Vincent Constantine being the patron.

Sayeed Hossain Chowdhury, whose family is acknowledged as one of the well-established, respected and reputed entrepreneurs of Bangladesh, obtained B.Sc. (Honours) in Economics from London and partly completed ICMA (Institute of Cost & Management Accountants) Course. He joined his family business in 1981 and was initially based in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, from where he also looked after business interests in Dubai.

He returned to Bangladesh in 1987 and started working for his family company "Karnaphuli Group" as Director, Finance & Planning. During this period Karnaphuli group experienced its record-breaking growth and further broadened its business base. However, he left his family business in February 1991 and founded his own company "HRC Group". Starting as a Shipping Agency (in Chittagong and Mongla ports) HRC has grown into one of the leading conglomerates of Bangladesh consisting of 18 diverse member companies with a workforce of more than 3000. HRC's core business activities include Ship Owning/Chartering, Shipping agency, Tea estates and Rubber plantation owning, Tea Blending/Packaging for local sales and export, Distribution, Commodity Trading, Real Estate, Foreign Representation, Travel Trade, GLS Bulb manufacturing and in Print Media Publications. HRC also has significant investments in Stock Brokerage, IT companies, General Insurance, Housing Finance, Commercial Bank and Merchant Banking.

In the past years HRC has received seven National Export Trophies-five Gold trophies and two Silver trophies. In 2004, the Group exported tea to the tune of approximately 36% of Bangladesh's total National Tea export. With Globalization, HRC has already entered strategic alliances/partnerships with a number of foreign companies. Joint Venture Projects are now being considered with leading MNC's to acquire latest technological know-how. HRC has overseas offices in Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

Besides being the Founder, Chairman & CEO of HRC Group, Sayeed Hossain Chowdhury is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of One Bank Limited, Chairman of the Bangladesh Ocean going Ship-owners' Association (BOGSOA) and Chairman of Information Services Network Limited.

HRC has been actively involved in community activities. HRC Welfare Foundation was established in 2005, which operates nine medical centers for the poor and underprivileged in Dhaka city. It also runs Day Schools for children in Dhaka slum areas and provides assistance/support to maintain and improve general sanitation.