If legacy is measured in continuity, impact, and the ability to inspire future generations, then I take pride not only in what we’ve built but who is building it next.
Dr. Amardeep Singh Bedi
Founder and CEO & MD (Bedi and Bedi Associates)
Co-Founder & Chief Business Development Officer (Sawan Impex Inc.)
What does it take to turn one bold idea into a lifelong legacy?
Dr. Amardeep Singh Bedi has spent over three decades answering that question, not just through words, but through his actions. As the Founder and Managing Director of Bedi and Bedi Associates, and the Co-Founder & Chief Business Development Officer of Sawan Impex Inc., Dr Bedi has redefined how businesses manage people, solve problems, and scale with purpose. His influence stretches across continents and industries.
A Leader Who Builds with Vision and Heart
What do you get when you mix the discipline of a pilot, the heart of a hospitality expert, and the mind of a business visionary? You get Dr. Amardeep Singh Bedi, a name that has become a benchmark for leadership that lasts.
As the man behind Bedi and Bedi Associates, he turned a small HR outsourcing firm into a trusted name across India. Today, with over 35 years of experience under his belt, he’s also shaping the future of global trade as Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Officer of Sawan Impex Inc.
That’s not all! He is also a published author of two prominent books–
- Service with a Smile – A hospitality management book that explores service culture, leadership, and guest experience.
- People Matters – A critical treatise on HR process design, talent engagement, and organisational development.
Dr. Bedi was recently honoured with an Honorary Doctorate from South Western American University, Burtonsville MD, USA for his contributions to the fields of Human Resource Development and Hospitality Management.
How Dr. Bedi Took Flight in the World of HR
Dr. Bedi’s career began in the skies as a flying pilot but his most impactful work has happened on the ground. In 1986, he founded Bedi and Bedi Associates to bring structure, clarity, and professionalism to the way companies handle their workforce.
Back then, HR outsourcing in India was mostly about short-term staffing. Under Dr. Bedi’s leadership, it evolved into something much bigger. Strategic Partnerships, digital solutions, long-term planning and people-first thinking came into the picture. Today, his company is known for building smart and customised workforce models that actually help businesses grow.
His experience in hospitality also helped him bring values like attention to detail, service quality, and empathy, which he has turned into everyday HR practices. Because in his view, the way you treat your people is just as important as the systems you build.
Now, at Sawan Impex Inc., he is taking the same vision globally. The firm, under his guidance, helps Canadian SMEs enter international markets using AI. “Through Sawan Impex Inc. in Canada, we are bridging the gap between trade facilitation and workforce solutions. The platform’s AI-driven architecture allows Canadian SMEs to access global markets while integrating HR support to scale operations,” explains Dr. Bedi.
Managing People with Heart and Hustle
For Dr. Amardeep Singh Bedi, building Bedi and Bedi Associates was never just about business, it was about creating something very meaningful. Right from the start, his goal was to bring dignity, structure, and professionalism to workforce management in India.
Working in HR outsourcing and hospitality means working closely with people. It demands empathy, flexibility, and the ability to stay strong through challenges, whether it’s an economic downturn, a policy shift, or labour disruptions. Through it all, Dr. Bedi has stayed true to his core values and the trust placed in him by clients and employees alike.
Today, his new venture, Sawan Impex Inc. has added fresh energy to his journey. The platform uses AI to help Canadian SMEs trade globally, while also offering smart HR solutions. It’s a powerful mix of people, processes, and technology, and it brings Dr. Bedi’s decades of experience full circle.
Dr. Bedi has also led teams as large as 20,000+ contract staff across diverse geographic and functional areas. Dr. Bedi has built a decentralised model that empowers local teams and keeps everyone aligned with a shared culture of service, accountability, and respect. Technology also plays a vital role here. Digital dashboards, performance tools, and feedback systems make every employee’s journey visible.
“Yet, beyond data, we invest in storytelling, recognition, and human connection. Monthly appreciation programs, grievance redressal forums, and leadership town halls keep communication authentic and two-way,” the veteran adds.
Dr. Bedi gives due credit to his background in hospitality which has deeply informed this approach. Just like every guest matters in a hotel, every employee matters in the workforce. He treats people not as headcounts, but as key contributors to the bigger vision. From hiring to retirement, the goal is to offer dignity, transparency, and opportunity.
Tough Calls and True Values
One of the hardest moments came in the life of Dr. Bedi when the economic slowdown hit the hospitality sector. A major client was forced to cut back on outsourced staff, whichdirectly affected hundreds of employees deployed by Bedi and Bedi Associates. Though the decision came from the client, the responsibility of managing its impact landed squarely on Dr. Bedi’s shoulders.
Instead of reacting with short-term fixes, he took a people-first approach. He decided to balance business needs with human responsibility. In his words, “We do not view employees as numbers but as livelihoods and families. Therefore, I took the lead in making sure we handled the situation with care. We either reassigned, retrained, or, when necessary, let go of staff but always with honesty and compassion.
Using the same ideas that Dr. Bedi wrote about in his book “People Matters,” he launched a redeployment plan. He also worked with his partner clients to help find jobs for those affected. On top of that, he also used his hospitality division to retrain some employees in guest service so he could move them into food and beverage roles that were still running.
Bedi and Bedi Associates: From a Modest Start to a Milestone Moment
When Dr. Amardeep Singh Bedi launched Bedi and Bedi Associates in 1986, HR outsourcing was at its nascent stage. He started from a small office yet with big ambitions in mind. While stepping into the unfamiliar territory, he had one vision– to change the way manpower services were delivered and perceived.
The early days were all about groundwork. Dr. Bedi met clients face-to-face, visited job sites himself, and continuously tweaked the company’s service approach. With hustle, patience and persistence, the foundation was laid.
Reminiscing those days, Dr. Bedi mentions, “One of our earliest breakthroughs came in the hospitality domain, where we were entrusted with staffing operations for multiple government guest houses and institutional canteens.” He used his background in hospitality management to create practical training programs in housekeeping, front office work, and food service. These weren’t one-size-fits-all, they were customised as per each client’s needs, and they quickly became the backbone of Bedi and Bedi’s success.
A turning point arrived with the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. Dr. Bedi’s firm was chosen to manage the entire box office operation for the event, which means managing the ticketing, finance, logistics, and staffing. Under intense pressure and international attention, the team delivered flawlessly. It remains one of their proudest achievements for Bedi and Bedi Associates.
Dr. Bedi also reaffirms that the first decade wasn’t easy at all. The team experienced many challenges but it brought many new lessons to learn. Dr. Bedi stayed adamant about always focusing on providing quality work and putting ethics first. It was during these years that he began shaping the case studies and strategies that would later appear in his books, “Service with a Smile and People Matters”. Today, as he leads Sawan Impex Inc. in Canada, Dr. Bedi carries the same startup mindset. Different countries, new challenges—but the principles remain the same: start small, stay intentional, and lead with integrity.
Dr. Bedi believes in “Don’t deliver a product, deliver an experience.” He says that real success doesn’t come from offering more, it comes from offering what truly matters. The strength of Bedi and Bedi Associates lies in its wide range of services, personalised approach, and long-standing reliability. With over 600 clients, including major public sector units and top multinational companies, the numbers speak for themselves. Every service plan is custom-made, not copied. From HR analytics and training to full-scale hospitality and facility management, every detail is backed by industry experience and ISO-certified standards.
Dr. Bedi shares in his book “People Matters,” that the real difference lies in knowing what clients need today and anticipating what they’ll value tomorrow. That forward-thinking mindset is what keeps Bedi and Bedi Associates & Sawan Impex Inc. ahead of the curve.
Legacy That Leads Forward
“I have realised over the years that true legacy is not built in isolation. It is carried forward by the values we cultivate, the leaders we nurture, and the institutions we fortify for the future. My vision has always been to create companies that do more than succeed in business. They should inspire people, stand the test of time, and pass on values that matter,” reiterates Dr. Bedi.
Bedi and Bedi Associates was founded on the belief that people are at the heart of any strong business. Over the years, that idea grew into a national model of ethical and impactful HR outsourcing. Today, the company continues to thrive under the leadership of the next generation– Dr. Bedi’s son, Aman Bedi. Aman has evolved from an Assistant Bookkeeper to the Director of Finance. As a Fellow Chartered Accountant with over 15 years of experience, he has modernised the organisation by introducing strong financial systems, digital accounting practices, and scalable strategies.
While Dr. Bedi’s books and his Honorary Doctorate are significant milestones, his biggest legacy is Aman, who not only carries forward the values but enriches them with vision, technology, and global relevance.
“If legacy is measured in continuity, impact, and the ability to inspire future generations, then I take pride not only in what we’ve built but who is building it next. Let it be remembered: He built with purpose, led with compassion, and passed the torch to a leader who carries it forward with vision and integrity,” mentions Dr. Bedi while signing off.
Dr. Amardeep Singh Bedi leads a simple life. He starts his day at 5:30 a.m. with meditation, prayers, and an hour of reading industry news and global trends. He dedicates his mornings to policy reviews, planning and team check-ins at Bedi and Bedi Associates. Afternoons are dedicated to Sawan Impex Inc., where he works closely with Canadian partners to shape their AI-powered trade platform. He is also a firm believer in disciplined time management. He balances responsibilities across continents with clarity and purpose. Every evening, he sets aside time for reflection and uses the day’s lessons to grow as a leader and stay true to his long-term vision.
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