Sanjeev and Arani Soosaipillai founded what would become the Prax Group in 1999 with a single filling station. The business now spans oil production, refining, storage terminals, and fuel retail across multiple continents, with annual revenues surpassing £10 billion. The couple, who met while studying at the University of Kent, have spoken publicly about the principles that guided their expansion from a two-person operation to a multinational employer.
Their stated approaches to business growth draw on more than two decades of running a privately-held company through various market conditions.
Remove Self-Imposed Constraints
Sanjeev Soosaipillai has argued that psychological barriers often prove more limiting than external circumstances. “I’ve always believed that the only limitations to my, Arani’s and the company’s successes are the limitations we place on ourselves,” he wrote in company materials. “I’m not one to take ‘no’ as an answer!”
He has elaborated on this point elsewhere: “I’ve always been determined, ambitious and full of energy, and I would hope that translates into a real passion for our products and the way we do business that is shared by all our colleagues right across the Group.”
The founders extended this reasoning to how they approached seemingly impossible acquisitions. Before purchasing the Lindsey Oil Refinery in Lincolnshire, Sanjeev would present the company to potential partners as though it were already a fully integrated energy operation. A former colleague recalled Sanjeev’s conviction: “Don would say to me afterwards: ‘Sanjeev, I think you truly believe we own all these things, and we’re fully integrated!'”
Treat Time Commitments Seriously
Sanjeev has emphasised punctuality and deadline adherence as foundational business practices. “Getting the job done means keeping your word by completing tasks on time,” he stated. “Everything is possible in the allocated timeframe, if you plan and manage your time correctly — after all, ‘cannot’ is just a six-letter word!”
This principle applied from the company’s earliest days. Sanjeev began working one day after arriving in the United Kingdom from Sri Lanka as a seventeen-year-old. “From the second day that I arrived in the UK, I started working,” he recounted. “From that day until today, I’ve just carried on working and here I am — and I’m still going!”
Maintain Forward Momentum
The founders have described continuous movement as preferable to waiting for perfect conditions. “We don’t stand still or rest on our laurels; instead, we always move forward — even if we only take baby steps at a time,” Sanjeev explained.
Arani connected this to handling uncertainty: “There have been moments where I wasn’t sure what the next step should be but leaning into uncertainty with curiosity, rather than fear, has helped me grow.”
The company’s acquisition history reflects this principle. Prax Group purchased businesses across retail, refining, exploration, and production over its operating history, building what company materials describe as “end-to-end supply chain capabilities” from upstream sourcing through to retail distribution.
Encourage Employee Input
Sanjeev has stated his preference for ideas generated within teams rather than imposed from above. “I particularly love when a member of the team puts forward a solution, particularly when there is genuine thought and merit behind the idea,” he noted.
He framed this as essential to the company’s ability to develop: “It is essential to be forward-thinking and to have what I call ‘a growth mindset,’ in order to be world class — and that means being open to exploring new ways of working, always being adaptable, embracing change, and thinking outside of the box.”
Cultivate Resilience Through Experience
Arani identified the capacity to withstand difficulty as shaped by practice rather than innate temperament. “Setbacks are inevitable, but how you respond to them defines your path forward,” she observed. “Persistence and maintaining a long-term perspective help navigate tough times.”
Her recommended response to obstacles involves seeking input: “Sometimes, the best response to a challenge is getting fresh insight from someone else who has been through it before.”
Sanjeev described his approach to adversity in similar terms: “When external factors impacted progress, I found creative ways to adapt to new constraints, ensuring that we remained on track, despite the challenges. I’ve learned that being resilient and maintaining a forward thinking mindset is essential for overcoming adversity.”
Commit Fully to Chosen Ventures
The Soosaipillais’ initial business required risking personal assets. They remortgaged property, maximised credit card borrowing, and invested every available resource into their first filling station. Sanjeev recalled: “We put everything we had into starting the business.”
This total commitment continued throughout their expansion. Arani’s role in providing backing for risky decisions proved essential, according to Sanjeev: “If you imagine some of the huge risks we took, she was always 100% behind me, providing me with that confidence. I mean, it’s been one hell of a journey!”
Learn Continuously
Both founders have described ongoing education as non-negotiable. Sanjeev stated: “I’ve also become more committed to continuous learning, understanding that the more I know, the better equipped I am to navigate any unexpected circumstances. I actively seek feedback and embrace professional development opportunities to ensure I stay ahead in my field.”
Arani summarised her accumulated wisdom in three points: “The importance of continuous learning, staying humble and always being open to evolving.”
The Prax Group now holds a 36.36% interest in the Natref Refinery in South Africa, operates upstream oil production from the Lancaster field west of Shetland, and runs over 200 branded fuel stations across the United Kingdom. The company that started with two people in a small office has grown into an operation that, at its peak, employed more than 1,400 workers.