Transitioning from the discipline of the armed forces to the dynamic world of business, Major Manjit shares his journey of resilience, risk-taking, and building a thriving enterprise
“I never imagined myself as an entrepreneur,” said Maj Manjit Rajain, Founder & Global Chairman, Tenon Group of Co. addressing an eager audience during his keynote session. “My journey started in the Indian Army, where discipline, leadership, and resilience became second nature. But stepping away from the uniform, I found myself in a new kind of battlefield—one where success wasn’t defined by rank but by the ability to adapt, take risks, and think beyond limits,” he added.
Talking about his early days, he said that his initial goals were simple—to provide for his family, buy a home, and perhaps one day, own a car. However, as time passed, he realised that in order to build something meaningful, he needed to think bigger.
He emphasised the importance of financial sustainability in business, stating, “One of the first lessons I learned was that in business, margins are everything. Large multinational corporations were compressing profits in the security sector, making it hard for smaller companies like mine to grow. That’s when I asked myself—why stop at security? Why not offer a complete facility management solution?”
The Bold Expansion
Speaking about his decision to expand, Maj Rajain explained, “In 2007, I decided to enter the facility management sector with the launch of Tenon Facility Management. It was uncharted territory, but I believed that if we surrounded ourselves with the right people, we could succeed. That’s when I brought in industry experts like Andrew Barker and built a leadership team that would take Tenon to the next level.”
He acknowledged the financial hurdles that came with expansion, saying, “One of the biggest challenges was securing funding. Banks were hesitant, private equity firms were asking for too much, and growth needed capital. That’s when I made a bold decision—to list the company on the London Stock Exchange.”
Discussing the timing of this move, he shared, “It was 2008, possibly the worst time to go public due to the global financial crisis. But I believed in the strength of our business, and despite the uncertainty, we made it work. That move gave us the financial muscle to expand, and we never looked back.”
Going Global With An Indian Identity
Highlighting the company’s international journey, he said, “With the right funding in place, we set our sights beyond India. We expanded into the UK and Singapore, acquiring companies that helped us establish a strong global presence. One of my proudest moments was when a British government study recognised Tenon as the fifth-largest employer in the UK. An Indian company making an impact on foreign soil—that was a moment of pride.”
Maj Rajain also reflected on the importance of preserving cultural identity, adding, “Despite our global operations, we have never forgotten our roots. In every office, whether in London, Singapore, or India, our employees greet visitors with a simple yet powerful word—‘Namaste.’ It’s a reminder that no matter how far we go, our identity remains the same.”
Lessons From Journey
Entrepreneurship, he said, is like driving a high-speed truck at night without headlights—you don’t always know what’s ahead, but you keep moving forward.
Reflecting on the key lessons he learned over the years, he emphasised that success isn’t just about having a great idea; it’s about execution, adaptability, and the people one chooses to build with. Today, Tenon Group stands as a leading player in security and facility management, and his role has shifted from managing day-to-day operations to ensuring that the organisation is strong enough to run itself.
Sharing a final thought, he highlighted the importance of thinking big, taking risks, surrounding oneself with the right people, and never stopping the momentum forward.
BY- Arya Rakshita
