In an exclusive interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Henry Lukenge shares his remarkable journey from Uganda to the UK and Canada, overcoming immense challenges to build a thriving business that is making a global impact. From his early experiences working alongside his father in Uganda’s construction industry to climbing the corporate ladder in investment banking and eventually founding NEXIM Healthcare, Lukenge’s entrepreneurial spirit has been shaped by resilience, vision, and a deep sense of social responsibility.
Born and brought up in a family of entrepreneurs, I was witness to my father running one of the first indigenously owned construction companies in Uganda during the mid-70’s. Initially, worked alongside him picking many valuable skills like respect for people regardless of their position in life, managing people, the value of money and how business can be used to solve some of our society’s problems . In the late 80s, we moved to England along side my eight siblings and parents after surviving the conflict and displacement from Uganda. In England I completed my high school in England and joined the University to study Mathematical statistics, a career he had little interest in, but with limited command of the English language, I did not have that many choice. Later I would go back to school for the professional accounting exams at the Association of Chartered certified accountants-UK-( A.C.C.A) something that combined my great love for numbers, problem-solving, and people engagement. With my outstanding performances in the CA program, I was then hired to join the articling program at one of the Big 4 Accounting firms in the U.K. Eventually, I rose through the ranks to become a junior tax partner – leading larger tax compliance, audit, and financial risk analysis projects across Europe, South East Asia, and Africa before being headhunted for an investment banking role in Canada’s at one of the largest Trust Funds as a Director of Investor Services. So, in 2006, I relocated to Canada FIRST on a senior role in finance and accounting for a major Trust Fund for nearly three years until due to becoming disillusioned and unhappy with my career ; I decided to walk away from the finance and accounting industry to start to go it alone in private business. Initially, I wasn’t sure about the nature of his new business. So, I took time out to travel around east and southern Africa including a visit with my mother in Kampala, Uganda, who advised me to set up a healthcare staffing company focused on providing thought staffing solutions to help leading sector players in the health and social care sector fulfill their staffing needs. Eventually, in late 2009 Mr. Lukenge returned to Toronto, sold all of his real estate, prepared a business plan, and established NEXIM Healthcare as a business.
Your journey from Uganda to the UK, and then to Canada, is truly inspiring. How has your diverse background influenced your approach to entrepreneurship and your vision for NEXIM Healthcare?
My diverse background informs most of my decisions and out look to life which in turn helps make better decisions because;
- Having lived with out for most of life – I do not need much to be content hence most of what our business makes goes to growing the business, hiring and rewarding staff and creating more impact in areas of and sectors of the global economy I’m passionate about – see I have no problem walking with out shoes on if that is what it takes to get a kid in school – because I was one such kids not so long ago .
- I respect every one regardless of their place in this world – the cleaner In one of my offices commands the same respect from me as on my directors- I address each formally with titles sir or Madam .
- When it comes to talent search- I can find excellent staff because its with in our DNA to create avenues where diverse candidates and partners can apply for and be considered for roles- which in turn yields better decisions because diverse opinions are allowed to come to the board room.
NEXIM Healthcare aims to revolutionize the healthcare staffing industry. Can you elaborate on how you’re achieving this goal and what sets your company apart in this competitive sector?
We are applying both traditional and non traditional tools to stay ahead of the competetion including but not limited to the following;
- Cost control – our goal is not to compete on price but to be best priced service provider with our value added services with in our industry . with a suite of value adds including but not limited to 24/7/365 days Canada wide services across our branches, a transport and logistics unit in built that enables us to quickly / efficiently transfer staff from and with in regions and our own private career college . we are able to bring a one solution to client at prices the competition can not match.
- We can guarantee services in areas where not many of our competitors can because of our unique application of technology, strength of our standard operating protocols and laser like focus on service delivery.
Given the current political environment, both locally and internationally, what do you see as the most significant risks to the business environment, and how is NEXIM Healthcare preparing to navigate these challenges?
- One guiding principal through all of this is that politics and politicians will come and go or change but our business and clients will not go or change so as the world struggles to make sense of the politics both locally and down south.
- Currently besides Tarriff threats are potential labor, market, fiscal, interest rates supply chain disruptions and an increasing populist turn in the western world which could lead to counter measures from the rest of the developing world to protect them selves including As we heard the BRICS working on counter measures against our cousins to the South of the boarder
- At NHCI our focus remains to be calm and assess the impact of each party’s policy positions and what those can mean to our business medium to long term strategic plans then work out ways to mitigate the potential impact of those policies should they be negative but if positive- prepare to capitalize.
- Our advise to others would be both local and international political un certainties are going to pause some risks but also opportunities – find ways to manage the risk and do not let fear stop you from capitalizing on the opportunities this unique moment presents- remember the moment will not come back whether you do something or non about it.
In a post-high interest rate economy, many businesses are focusing on strengthening cash flow and working capital. What strategies would you recommend to fellow entrepreneurs to ensure financial stability in these uncertain times?
- As a business owner – myself managing ones working capital needs at they grow is major head ache for many business owners and the high interest rates of the last 2-3 years caused us a fair bit of heart burn so it’s a relief seeing rates start to come down
- For financial stability – my advise is 3 ways –
- First work out your cash flow needs per period and be sure to have available in near term cash products or note – that – know how much you need and when you need by and work out how to do that for at least 45 days should your client miss payments.
- To achieve that goal- have a firm grip of your clients AR payment cycles
- Set aside some cash periodically from the business saved to cover cash flow if bumps occur
- Ensure the business invests in hard assets that can be leveraged to generate cash when AR delays occur- could money market or real estate investments
- Make sure your relationship manager is always informed of and knows your business inside out so when you need help they know when you will ask for it.
Throughout your entrepreneurial journey with NEXIM Healthcare, what were some of the most significant hurdles or obstacles you faced, and how did you overcome them?
- My greatest obstacle I would say was figuring how to transition from an investment bankers life style where most of my life style needs were met via my T4 and corporate benefit to where I did this all not just for my self but also for my team of over 50 staff and growing now.
- What I do every day requires me to be at my most self-disciplined, resilient , calm and level headed each day regardless of what is going on around me and sometimes that is not for every one
- See in order to do what I now do I have had to become someone I have never thought I would ever be growing up – that is the question every one has to answer – are you prepared to train your mind, body and spirit
As we celebrate Black History Month, what message would you like to share with aspiring Black entrepreneurs who are looking to make their mark in the business world?
My message to fellow black entrepreneurs especially during this time where doubts about our competencies are re- surfacing is;
- We have always had to be the best in room or work 10X’s harder to go half the distance – that fortitude, persistence and hard work Is what we are going to need to be successful again- we did it before – we can do it again
- My late dads last words to be before he passed was to “never accept any one or a system version of my self and that I was capable of doing and achieving as long as I put 100% of the work in “ put it the other No one or a system can take away your self-confidence or self worth unless you consent to it .
- Tune out the noise and external interferences and focus on your business and life goals 100% ; the rest will take care of itself – believe me – this has worked for me it will work for you too.
