Raef Bjayou
A brief introduction to Raef Bjayou
"I am a terrific conversationalist and raconteur with stories to tell..."
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Raef Bjayou's biography
Raef Bjayou
The spoken word IS his tool. Having appeared on the hugely successful show The Apprentice, Raef quickly catapulted himself into the hearts and minds of the British public. Post-Apprentice, Sir Alan Sugar has sung Raef's praises in various sectors of the media.
Raef is first and foremost an entrepreneur and businessman. On top of that he is also speedily forging a career as a television personality, actor, writer, motivational speaker and commentator.
Having left university after having studied History and Politics, Raef spent some time in Ethiopia engaged in work for the charity, The Addis Ababa Irrigation Project. He spent just over a year there before spending a further year in the British Virgin Islands, selling property.
After returning to the UK, he immediately set to work establishing his own import and export company distributing, at first, magazines from the USA and then furniture from the Far East. This quickly led to pharmaceutical distribution in Africa, namely the western African countries of Gambia and Senegal. The principal product in this distribution portfolio is a home HIV testing kit, which Raef hopes will one day be distributed throughout the AIDS-ravaged continent.
Post The Apprentice, Raef continues to interest newspapers and magazines with news and interviews, and on television, he has given his opinions on a range of topics from business to grammar, through to politics and current affairs, appearing on BBC1’s The One Show, BBC Breakfast, BBC News and on Channel 4’s Richard and Judy conducting interviews and vox pops. He also has a regular spot on Radio Five Live on Saturdays throughout the summer.
The Underdog Show returns soon to Living from its successful run on BBC2 last year this time with Raef as one of the contestants training a rescue dog (which unsurprisingly he has decided to keep). He has shown real versatility appearing on Channel Four’s 8 Out of 10 Cats, and also appeared in a special edition of the show at this year's Edinburgh Festival. As part of his work as a presenter for TV London Raef has made promotional videos for the Gatwick and Heathrow Express and he can also be seen on long-haul inbound British Airways flights telling tourists what they should see in London. Raef has also presented a piece on phobia's for ITV's Tonight Show.
Raef has got various projects coming up in the new year, including taking part in Daily Cooks' Challenge, Ready Steady Cook, Fifth Gear and BBC New Year celebrations on the HMS Belfast.
Raef has already given talks to the Department of Health in Whitehall and continues to tour the country speaking at universities and corporate events. He recently hosted London Jewellery Week sponsored by Coutts Bank and is involved with charity events for the Prince's Trust, encouraging children to develop their entrepreneurial spirit. Raef will also be fronting the "You're inspired" campaign for the Princess Alice Hospice in 2009.
Raef is a campaigner for the 'Condoms for Africa' campaign set up by Troy Kennedy for the Battlefront project. For more information please see: http://battlefront.co.uk/campaign/condoms-for-africa/
His interests include, people, international travel, speech-writing, fashion, acting, French and Russian literature and Cognac. He currently resides in central London.
Raef is also an ambassador for The Prince's Trust.
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