Mumbai-born Samuel Marshall completed his tertiary education at the Cathedral School in Mumbai, and later attended Sydenham College Mumbai. His main interests during his formative years included sports, history, archaeology and political science. He was very adept at applying these facets to the commodity business.The Marshalls, a commodity brokering and agent family originally came to India from the United Kingdom in 1920. The family was involved in rice, sugar and edible oils trading and eventually became the house brokers to Hindustan Lever for over 35 years with branches throughout India.Marshall Produce, New Delhi is recognised as one of the top three tanker brokers and are actively involved in fixing tankers for Indian government Charterers since 1975. With its recognised team, respected worldwide, the tanker fixing business today accounts for 5 million tons every year. This includes businesses with Indian government oil companies and those belonging to the private sector.Marshall’s objective is of being a proactive ‘bridge’ between India and Israel. He has since long been the supporter of the view that India and Israel are natural allies and his recent key contribution has been in bringing suitable Israeli and international homeland security technologies into India.
Birth of an entrepreneur Marshall’s entrepreneurial skills emerged at a very young age as he was already organising Badminton tournaments in Mumbai, in which multinational corporations including Hindustan Levers, ESSO, Caltex and the Tata Group of Companies participated. His involvement in these sports and the organisation of such events imparted a competitive edge along with a versatile and resourceful will to endeavour, especially given the fact that his father Joe Marshall suddenly passed away. He was just 20 then. He was also participating in Maccabiah Games also known as the Jewish Olympics in Israel.
Passion for sports For 60 years, octogenarian Sam Marshall’s mission has been to ensure that the Indian team gets to the Maccabiah Games in Israel and brings home medals. An avid sportsman himself, he remembers his first Maccabiah, in 1957, when the Indian team— including him — earned three golds and three silvers. He made history on the tennis team, when Marshall and his son Yossi played doubles in 2013. He sometimes fills in on other teams, when they are short. Marshall says (laughing), “You’re only as old as you feel.” His abiding passion has always been sport and he has led six teams (four from India and two from Singapore) to the Jewish Olympics which takes place every four years in Israel which is now rated as the 5th largest of such gathering of world Athletes from over 70 countries. He earned himself a silver medal in veteran squash and his Indian team secured a silver medal in Cricket.
Doyen of commodity trading in India Marshall is considered to be the doyen of the commodity trading business in India, and his success has been illustrated by the fact that more than 500 of his former trainees are now successfully running their own companies around the world in countries such as Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Japan, Philippines, Brazil, Argentina, United States and Europe. He has received awards both from the Grain /Pulses International Association recognising his services rendered to the industry. Also he was the recipient of the Global Edible Oil Industry Award for services rendered by him and declared as the Father of the world edible oil trade.Marshall set-up a brokerage company in Mumbai called Marshall Produce, immigrated to London, setup Marpro Limited with offices in over 25 countries and became market leaders and number one in the world in edible oils. He pioneered brokers in exports of Canadian, Australian, Turkish and Myanmar pulses to India establishing a good market share.
An inspiring personality Marshall has never given up learning. In the past 10 years since taking a back seat in the commodities business he has moved successfully into construction, security and event management business. His group was also involved in training of Force-1 Pune Commandos.
Turning point Marshall was one of the lucky ones to have left the Taj Mahal and Palace Hotel just 15 minutes before the terrorists attack on November 26, 2008. Rabbi Gaby, his wife and baby Moishe were very close to him and has since remained in very close contact with the Rabbi’s family and in particular closely followed the upbringing of Moishe. The incident was the trigger for him to enter the field of homeland security. Marshall has used his connections in Israel and in India to focus decisively in the home land security sector. He represents Israeli specialist groups involved in all aspects of security worldwide.The Marshall Group represents Tamar Group. It develops equipment like X-Test explosives, detection equipment and other aspects of bomb control expertise useful not only for X-Rays at airports but dealing with mines/tunnels and buildings to be demolished.He is working to undertake other security technologies from Israel or elsewhere which are appropriate for India. In the homeland security, his company acts on behalf of several international groups.
Foray into entertainment He has now taken on a new challenge, the world of entertainment where he has brought Lior Suchard, the World’s declared number one super mentalist to India and South East Asia. He did over 70 shows during a two-year span with the likes of Tatas, Birlas, Bajaj Group and Nita Ambani. Marshall has also been instrumental in organising several shows at NCPA and workshops with the Kingdom of Dreams.Marshall says that he embarked on the entertainment sector bearing in mind that India spends hardly 1.8 per cent of the GDP on tourism and therefore the potential for growth is enormous. He has taken upon the representation of Lior Suchard. The company is known as Supernatural Entertainment Inc. Lior has performed with Jay Leno, Larry King Live, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Leonardo Dicaprio and most of Hollywood, Bollywood and a bunch of corporate. The show has creative concepts tailored to a brand being projected.For the past one year, Marshall Integrated Services has been involved in Laservision events representing Laservision Australia which appeared in the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest Laservision show in the world.
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