Filthy Rich

Manoj Raithatha comes from a business family with interests in both Britain and Kenya. He trained as an English teacher, then a furniture salesman, and also wrote a play (which gained a Fringe First at the Edinburgh Festival) and a BAFTA-winning TV series. In the early 2000s London's property market was booming, and he quickly built up a portfolio, using one property as security for the next, and striking deal after deal from his tiny study in a suburban semi. In 2005 a full page portrait of Manoj appeared in the Telegraph's property section. He was working crazy hours, and when the financial crisis burst in 2008 he was horribly overextended. Then his young son fell ill. Christian friends maintained a prayer vigil for four days, and when the child recovered Manoj and Maria started attending a church. Within weeks, the couple became committed Christians. Today Manoj runs South Asian Forum, a network of Christians from an Asian background.