Asif Parpia first worked in pharmacy as a Saturday boy, but it was his role as dispensing assistant and de facto manager of Chimsons Chemist in London’s Ruislip that saw him win highly commended in the Retail Skills category at this year’s Recognition of Excellence Awards

His role covers “everything from the shop floor to behind the scenes in the dispensary” and he says his secret superpower is negotiating discounts on gift items such as fragrances and electrical goods, so customers can get the best bargains on their Christmas shopping. 

Asif says teamwork is fundamental to success, saying “I try and lead by example”, and he explains that never asks other staff members to do anything he wasn’t prepared to do himself, which has led to them being “a small, tight team”.

RoE judge Haroon Mahmood described him as a talented individual but Asif shrugs off the compliments saying: “I love my work, live for my job and my team. No task is too big and I love a challenge.”