Imran Hakim is one of the most recognised entrepreneurs in the UK optical industry. He rose from a teenager selling computers to the founder and CEO of The Hakim Group, now one of the largest independent optical networks in the United Kingdom and Ireland. His success with iTeddy on BBC Dragon’s Den further strengthened his public profile, turning him into a figure known for innovation and business resilience. This 2025 biography provides a verified, structured and comprehensive analysis of his life, wealth, achievements, recent developments, and key turning points.
- Quick Facts
- Early Life of Imran Hakim
- Discovering Optometry & Early Business
- Imran Hakim’s Career Journey
- Transition to Optometry & Founding of First Practice
- Birth of The Hakim Group
- The iTeddy — Innovation, Dragons’ Den & Global Reach
- Growth, Awards & Recognition
- Recent Developments & 2025 Expansion
- What is Imran Hakim’s Net Worth?
- Imran Hakim’s Philosophy, Business Model & Leadership Style
- Personal Life & Relationships
- Challenges & Public Transparency
- Controversies
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Quick Facts
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Imran Hakim |
| Age | 47 or 48 (as of 2025, depending on source) |
| DOB | 1976 or 1977 (public records vary) |
| Parents | Names not publicly disclosed |
| Net Worth | Approx 90 million USD (public estimates vary) |
| Height | Not publicly verified |
| Spouse/Partner | Married, though his wife’s name is not public |
| Ethnicity | British Pakistani |
| Nationality | British |
| Source of Wealth | The Hakim Group, iTeddy, Investments |
| Education | BSc (Hons) Optometry and Vision Science, University of Manchester |
Early Life of Imran Hakim
Imran Hakim grew up in Bolton in a modest, working-class family. He was the eldest of five siblings, and financial constraints were a constant reality in the household. That environment shaped his determination from an early age.
The turning point came when he was around sixteen. His father gave him a £2000 loan. Instead of spending it on a personal item, he used it to buy computer equipment in bulk and sell it to teachers and community members. This small-scale trading business taught him skills in negotiation, profit margins, customer behaviour and risk awareness.
Hakim later described this moment as the foundation of everything he built. It was the first time he realised he could create opportunity through enterprise, regardless of background or resources.
Discovering Optometry & Early Business
Imran pursued a degree in Optometry and Vision Science at the University of Manchester. This academic path was not only a career decision but a strategic move. He wanted a professional qualification that offered stability while maintaining the freedom to build businesses.
While completing his degree, he continued to run small ventures, including computer trading and early service-based businesses. His entrepreneurial activities, however, occasionally led to academic strain. He reportedly came close to expulsion due to inconsistent attendance, demonstrating how strong his focus on business already was.
The degree gave him technical knowledge and clinical understanding, but his passion for entrepreneurship remained dominant. These dual interests would later merge to form the foundation of his optical empire.
Imran Hakim’s Career Journey
Imran Hakim’s rise to fame stems from his hybrid career combining optometry, entrepreneurship and product innovation. His name became known nationally after his appearance on Dragon’s Den, but his business journey started long before the televised pitch.
His early ventures included small health and retail operations, technology trading and consultancy work. Each step strengthened his ability to scale operations, manage suppliers and identify market gaps.
His strategic thinking helped him transition from a single practice owner into the leader of a growing healthcare business group. By the mid-2000s, he was viewed as one of the fastest-rising young entrepreneurs in the north of England.
He entered the mainstream business arena after inventing the iTeddy and securing investment from Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis, giving him national visibility.
Transition to Optometry & Founding of First Practice
While completing his pre-registration year in optometry, Imran made a decision that would shape his entire career. A local optician’s shop was closing. He purchased its equipment and fittings and opened his first practice in Bolton before even finishing his qualification.
The early days were challenging. Many patients were local acquaintances treating the service more informally than expected, often delaying payments. Hakim relied on community support and word-of-mouth marketing. He began refining his understanding of customer experience, local engagement and retail psychology.
This experience solidified his belief that independent practices had unmatched value. However, he also understood the operational weaknesses that kept many small opticians from growing. This realisation led to the next phase of his journey.
Birth of The Hakim Group
In 2003, Imran acquired his first external practice, Bussins Opticians in Failsworth. Instead of building new practices from scratch, he chose acquisitions to avoid early-stage business volatility.
By 2006, he officially formed The Hakim Group, designed as a hybrid support platform for independent optical practices. The model was distinctive in the UK healthcare sector. Practices retained their identities while gaining access to centralised services including marketing, HR, finance, accounting, IT infrastructure, supplier agreements and business training.
The Hakim Group filled a gap in the market. Many independent opticians struggled with operational workload, supply-chain complexity and competition from corporate chains. Hakim’s model helped them stay independent while growing stronger.
This framework quickly became one of the fastest-growing optical networks in the UK.
The iTeddy — Innovation, Dragons’ Den & Global Reach
Imran Hakim reached national fame in 2007 with the invention of iTeddy, a plush toy containing a built-in digital player for videos, music and photos.
He pitched the concept on BBC Dragon’s Den, securing a deal with Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis. The pitch became one of the show’s biggest early successes.
Achievements included:
- Worldwide distribution agreement within 12 months
- Sales expansion to 45 countries
- Awards including Startup Business of the Year
- International toy-innovation recognition
- Major retail partnerships across Europe and Asia
iTeddy became a case study in product innovation, marketing and global licensing. It strengthened Hakim’s public reputation, leading to media interviews, keynote speaking opportunities and recognition across UK entrepreneurship communities.
Growth, Awards & Recognition
Imran Hakim’s achievements have earned him national and international recognition across business and healthcare sectors. His awards demonstrate sustained excellence in leadership, innovation and organisational culture.
Key recognitions include:
- UK’s Best Small Company to Work For – Sunday Times
- UK’s Number One Best Leader – Sunday Times Top 100
- EY Entrepreneur of the Year – Overall Winner, North (2019)
- EY Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year (2019)
- University of Manchester Outstanding Alumnus Medal (2016)
- HRH Prince of Wales Award for Innovation
- IOD North West Young Director of the Year
- Global toy awards for iTeddy
These achievements highlight both his commercial success and his influence within the UK’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Recent Developments & 2025 Expansion
The biggest update in 2025 was The Hakim Group’s large-scale expansion supported by a new investment partnership. The business announced a strategic deal with the European Mid-Market Fund of ICG, a global asset-management firm. The investment is aimed at accelerating growth, increasing acquisitions and improving infrastructure.
Public reports suggest:
- Over 500 independent practices supported through partnerships and acquisitions
- Expansion into the United States beginning in 2020
- Increasing presence in Ireland and northern Europe
- Continued rollout of new clinical and retail technologies
The Hakim Group remains the fastest-growing optical network in the UK. The 2025 funding round positions the company for a much broader global strategy in the coming years.
What is Imran Hakim’s Net Worth?
Estimating his exact net worth is difficult due to private company ownership. However, multiple public sources provide a consistent range.
According to TheRichest and various business intelligence platforms, Imran Hakim’s estimated net worth in 2025 is approximately:
Over 90 million USD
However, company records show far lower asset values for specific subsidiaries, which is normal for a business owner with diversified holdings and non-public valuations.
His wealth primarily comes from:
- Equity ownership in The Hakim Group
- Global royalties and licensing agreements from iTeddy
- Private investments in retail and technology
- Real-estate interests
- Business consultancy roles
Actual net worth may be higher due to undisclosed private investments and growth-related equity increases following the ICG partnership.
Imran Hakim’s Philosophy, Business Model & Leadership Style
Imran Hakim’s leadership philosophy centres on empowering independent professionals while providing the operational support of a large organisation. He frequently emphasises autonomy, transparency and a people-first culture.
Key principles include:
- Protecting the identity of local independent opticians
- Providing extensive centralised support without imposing rigid corporate controls
- Maintaining openness and honesty across all business units
- Encouraging innovation, risk-taking and continuous improvement
- Prioritising workplace culture as a growth driver
The Hakim Group’s most distinctive trait is its hybrid model. It offers the strength of scale while preserving the soul of independent community practices. This approach has been widely praised by healthcare professionals across the UK.
Personal Life & Relationships
Imran Hakim keeps his personal life private. Public records and interviews provide limited information about his family and spouse. Imran Hakim is married, but he has not publicly disclosed his spouse’s name.
Confirmed details include:
- He was born and raised in Bolton
- Comes from a British Pakistani family
- Grew up as the eldest of several siblings
- Participates in philanthropy through business networks
- Serves in ambassadorial roles related to education and entrepreneurship
He has held positions such as:
- Non-Executive role at Business Link North West
- North West Ambassador for UK India Business Council
- Charter Board Member of TiE Entrepreneurs
- Member of The Prince’s Trust Founders Circle working with King Charles III (formerly the Prince of Wales)
These activities reflect his commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and economic development, particularly in northern England.
Challenges & Public Transparency
As with many high-growth business leaders, Imran Hakim has faced scrutiny regarding financial transparency and business scaling.
Challenges identified in public records include:
- Variances between estimated personal net worth and official company filings
- The operational pressure of rapid expansion
- Market competition from large optical chains
- Managing acquisitions without diluting the identity of partner practices
- Maintaining culture during periods of accelerated growth
None of these challenges represent controversy. They reflect typical issues faced by founders leading multi-million-pound healthcare networks.
Controversies
There are no major public controversies associated with Imran Hakim.
Minor issues occasionally referenced online include:
- Alleged concerns over company valuations in aggregator reports
- Variations in reported net worth numbers across media outlets
- Questions raised by industry analysts regarding the sustainability of rapid acquisitions
These points are not tied to misconduct. They are common topics discussed in high-growth private-equity-backed sectors.
Conclusion
Imran Hakim stands as one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the UK healthcare and retail sectors. His journey from a teenager selling computers to the founder of a major optical group shows determination, creativity and strategic thinking.
His appearance on Dragon’s Den made him a household name, but his long-term legacy is tied to The Hakim Group. The business has transformed the independent optometry sector by combining autonomy with scale, culture with profitability and clinical care with modern organisational infrastructure.
As of 2025, with new investment and rapid expansion, Hakim remains a key figure in British entrepreneurship. His influence extends beyond optometry into innovation, youth mentorship, business leadership and global product development.
FAQs
Is Imran Hakim married?
Yes, Imran Hakim is married, although his wife’s identity is not publicly disclosed.
What is Imran Hakim’s net worth?
Public estimates place it near 90 million USD.
What did Imran Hakim invent?
He invented the iTeddy digital plush toy.
Who invested in iTeddy?
Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis from Dragon’s Den.
How many practices does The Hakim Group have?
Over 500 through partnerships and acquisitions.
Where is Imran Hakim from?
Bolton, United Kingdom.
When was The Hakim Group founded?
2006.
