Azeem Ibrahim · Relations Committee, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, the Prime Minister of Turkey,...

Azeem Ibrahim

Communications House, 26 York Street London W1U 6PZ United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0) 203 368 6874 Email: [email protected]

FinancierEntrepreneurPhilanthropist

AcademicCommunity Activist

Thought LeaderAdvisor to Governments

Soldier

Selected as ‘Ideas Scholar’ for Aspen Ideas Festival 2010July 2010

Appointed Governor at Glasgow CaledonianUniversityJuly 2010

Scottish Muslim Contributor of the Year Award March 2010

Named as World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leader February 2010

Named as ‘Top 100 Global Thinkers of 2009’ by LSDP European Social Policy Think Tank January 2010

Honorary Doctorate from Glasgow Caledonian University December 2009

Scotland’s Distinguished Citizens Award St Andrews Society November 2009

Insider Elite International Executive of the Year October 2009

Named as ‘Emerging Global Leader’ by Yale World Fellows Program April 2009

Scottish Asian Business Entrepreneur of the Year November 2008

Appointed Ambassador for HRH Prince Charles’ Prince’s Scottish Youth Business TrustSept 2008

KPMG – Lloyd TSB Business and Commerce Excellence Jewel Award April 2008

Sunday Times Scot’s Rich List inauguration April 2008

Scottish Parliament Motion passed congratulating Azeem for his contribution to ScotlandDecember 2007

Youngest Member of Carter Anderson’s Bank of Scotland Power 100 December 2007

Azeem IbrahimAwards and Milestones


Born and raised in Scotland, Azeem went from teaching himself to spot good investments from the newspapers he read in his father’s shop to a fast-paced business career. He rapidly moved from outsourcing IT to India, through import and export to maritime insurance, and then setting up a private bank, building society and even a hedge fund, all before his 32nd birthday. In 2006 he was the youngest person on both the Sunday Times Scots’ Rich List and Carter Anderson’s UK Power 100 list.

During this time, his commitment to relentless goal-setting saw him spend seven years as a reservist in the IV Battalion Parachute Regiment – the British army’s elite airborne infantry reserve, and gain an MBA, an MSc(Econ) and is completing a PhD in Strategic Studies at Cambridge University. As well as an honorary doctorate, he is now a Research Scholar at the International Security Program at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, a member of the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy’s Dean’s International Council, Director of Research at the European Centre for Advanced Defence and Strategic Studies in Geneva and Member of the Board of Directors at the Institute of Social Policy Understanding. He has also been named an ‘emerging World Leader’ by Yale in their World Fellows Program. His columns are regularly published around the world, and can be read in Foreign Policy, The Scotsman and the Sunday Herald, The Middle East Times, The Huffington Post, Chicago Tribune and the LA Times.

Azeem now devotes much of his time to his own charities. As well as a private grant-giving foundation, he has founded charities which tackle problems as diverse as family and marriage breakdown in Scotland to providing clean drinking water in disaster areas.

He has offered strategic advice to the British government, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, the Prime Minister of Turkey, the First Minister of Scotland and the Sheikh of Dubai, on topics ranging from anti-radicalisation to improving social mobility and national competitiveness.

Azeem Ibrahim“Just reading a list of Azeem Ibrahim’s achievements is exhausting” was the verdict of Scotland’s Sunday Post on this multitalented whizz-kid. Although still only in his mid-thirties, he seems to have packed a number of careers into one. Already a respected entrepreneur, philanthropist, academic and former paratrooper, he is fast building a formidable track record as an adviser to a number of world leaders.

Bringing focus and intensity to all endeavours,whether they be charitable work or banking

Glasgow–born Azeem Ibrahim,Chairman of the European Commerceand Mercantile Bank, celebrated hisbirthday by making his debut on theSunday Times Scots 100 Rich List atnumber 78. With an estimated wealthof £52 million, this confirms hisposition as one of the wealthiestyoung Muslims in the UK.

Ibrahim has an exceptional trackrecord in bringing strategic thinkingto his dealings in internationalcommerce and has a proven abilityin understanding the dynamics ofthe international financial world.

His wealth began in 2004 when heestablished his own insurancecorporation after noticing he waspaying over the odds for maritimeinsurance.

Today, his company is a leading e-

commerce facility selling onlineshipping, maritime, transport andlogistical insurance to and fromanywhere in the world and has amarket valuation of over US $9m.

Ibrahim’s entrepreneurial gift alsocame to the fore when he set up theEuropean Commerce and MercantileBank (ECM Bank) with offices inSweden and the Emirates Towers inDubai.

Of his appearance on the Scots 100Rich List, Ibrahim said, “Suchrecognition is a nice birthdaypresent, but I would stress that mycompanies would not have grown tothe extent they have without thededication of my hard-working staffand confidence of my shareholders.”

However, these days much ofIbrahim’s time is now devoted to

www.islamictimes.co.uk

Issue No.9

June – July 2007 Jumaada al-Thaany – Rajab 1428 (AH

For too long many Muslims havelagged behind national norms inachievement, and faced criticism forappearing to lead separate lives. TheMCB’s new guidelines for schoolshelp pupils to feel fully valued.Page 10

An agenda for integrationFazlun Khalid, founder of the

Islamic Foundation for Ecology andEnvironmental Sciences writesabout our eagerness to “progress”and losing sight of the delicatenature of Earth and humanity’splace in it. Page 21

A delicate balanceTen inspirational adults,

nominated by children and youngpeople living in GreaterManchester were presented withawards in a ceremony at the TownHall, Manchester. Read the fullstory on Page 11

Inspiration for the youth

Strategicthinking The TUC and the Muslim Council

of Britain have held a joint seminarlooking at how trade unions can workmore closely with the Muslimcommunity to improve the jobprospects of Muslim workers andcombat the threat the far right posesto the UK’s many diversecommunities.

Last September at the TUCCongress in Brighton, the TUC andthe MCB signed an agreementcommitting the two organisations tojoint working to support workplacejustice and combat the threat ofIslamophobia. This event was aimedat giving practical effect to thosecommitments.

The seminar included sessions on:the Muslim community and work; themedia and portrayals of the Muslimcommunity; and countering the threatof the far right.

There was keynote addresses fromMCB Secretary General, DrMuhammad Abdul Bari and TUCGeneral Secretary, Brendan Barber,who said:

‘We do not underestimate the scaleof the challenge facing us today.Islamophobia is a real and presentthreat, fuelled by prejudice andmisunderstandings, and the rise of thefar right and electoral success of theBNP are alarming features of recentyears. Local elections are approachingonce again, and by working togetherthe TUC and the MCB can expose thefar right for what they really are andwork towards a better deal foreveryone in the workplace.’

Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari said:‘We believe in social justice and

equal rights for all. The Muslimcommunity is facing real problems ofdiscrimination and poverty - a third ofMuslims are living in the 10% mostdeprived neighbourhoods of thecountry - but we have a tremendousamount to offer the UK workplace interms of skills, optimism and energy.’

TUC and MCBjoin to combatIslamophobia

IslamicTimes

Azeem Ibrahim in the spotlight

Ibrahim makes his debut on the Sunday Times Scots 100 Rich List

charity projects such as a uniquewater purification project for thesouth of Sudan.

He has shunned publicity untilnow, but realises he cannot stayhidden for long as he wants to raisehis profile for the charity to whichhe now dedicates much of his time.‘The Benevolence Fund’ specialisesin sponsoring high-achievingBosnian students to undertakepostgraduate education in Europe inorder that they can take their newlyacquired skills and knowledge back

to help their communities. For this,Ibrahim has obtained corporatesponsorship that will build anendowment, thus making the projectself sufficient.

“It is about creating the kind ofenvironment for that country’sfuture leaders in academia, politicsand business,” said Azeem

“That country has enjoyed anuneasy peace for the last few years,but it needs a new generation ofleaders to help ensure that it has along-term peaceful future.”

Education Environment Awards

Sport Living the dreamNisar speaks exclusively toIslamic TimesKick Boxing – pages 32 & 31

Hameur TimeA different class of player at WatfordFootball – pages 32 & 31

Continued on page 31Continued on page 31


A self-made success in a number of diverse fields, Glasgow-born Azeem Ibrahim has been described by his peers as a brilliant young scholar, financial wizard and gifted entrepreneur.

In 2007, Azeem became the youngest member of the Bank of Scotland Asian Power 100 produced by Carter Anderson, which described him as one of the most in uential and highest-achieving people in Britain. The same year Azeem was included in the Observer Courvoisier Future 500 – a definitive list of the nation’s most forward-thinking and brightest young innovators.

In December 2007, a Scottish Parliament motion signed by a number of MSPs congratulated Azeem and his contribution to the country and in April 2008 Azeem accepted the Lloyds TSB and KPMG Business and Commerce Excellence Jewel Award.

His achievements have attracted considerable recognition around the globe and over the last few years Azeem has met and advised a number of world leaders, including the Prime Minister of Turkey and leaders in the Gulf States.

Business InterestsAzeem Ibrahim began by launching his own IT consultancy, later expanding the operation into continental Europe, and then moved onto an insurance corporation for the niche maritime-transportation market.

Since then, he has founded over half a dozen companies, mostly in the financial sector, including an online insurance company specialising in maritime insurance, a private online bank for commodity traders, and an FSA-regulated global macro hedge fund based in London.

He was the youngest person on both the Sunday Times Scottish Rich List in 2006 and Carter Anderson’s UK Power 100 list.

Azeem’s most recent venture is Ibrahim Associates, a global strategic consultancy firm aimed at advising governments, NGOs and non-profits on recognising and capitalising on strategic advantage.

Academic lifeAzeem’s former professors refer to him as a ‘first-class critical thinker’. He obtained an MBA and an M.Sc.(Econ) in Strategic Studies, then read for a PhD at the University of Cambridge on Geopolitical Strategy. Azeem also served as a Research Scholar on the International Security Program at the JFK School of Government at Harvard University.

Azeem also sits alongside former UK Defence Chiefs as a Director and Board Member of the UKNDA - United Kingdom National Defence Association - which operates to improve the position of the armed forces in government circles.

In 2008 Azeem also became a member of the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy’s Dean’s International Council - a prestigious group of specialists from around the world with substantive experience in government and the private sector including former Prime Ministers, Presidents, Ambassadors and Diplomats. The Council meets twice a year and acts as an advisory group for new policy initiatives and resource development for governments around the globe.

Since then he has been accepted as a Yale World Fellow in 2009. The programme selects emerging global leaders from over 1000 nominations and brought to Yale to undertake the Ivy League School’s signature program in advanced leadership training with some of the leading experts in various fields.

He has also been awarded an honorary doctorate from Glasgow Caledonian University for his contribution to ‘global international affairs and community developments in Scotland,’ an Adjunct Professorship from Fatih University in Istanbul, and was made a Fellow at the Macmillan Centre for International Area Studies at Yale University, an organization dedicated to improving Americans’ understanding of the world beyond their borders.

In 2010, Azeem was named as one of the Top 100 Global Thinkers of 2009 by the LSDP European Social Think Tank and a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

Azeem IbrahimBiography


Most recently Azeem was appointed a Fellow and Member of the Board of Directors at the Institute of Social Policy Understanding in the USA.

Charity and Philanthropic worksMuch of Azeem’s time is now devoted to his own charities.

He operates a private grant-giving foundation (www.ibrahimfoundation.com) and founded and chairs a number of charities which tackle problems as diverse as family and marriage breakdown in the Asian community in Scotland, (www.unityfamily.co.uk), lack of access to higher education for Bosnian students (www.benevolencefund.org), and lack of access to clean drinking waters in disaster areas (www.purifi.com). He also owns and manages a school for 500 orphans in Bangladesh (www.asia-pacificfund.org).

He has recently increased his involvement in independent charity initiatives. He launched the first think tank in Scotland which is dedicated to providing education in authentic Islamic teachings, which can help to reduce the appeal of perverse extremist Islamic narratives.

He has also been the Director of Strategy for the British Writers’ Awards, one of the largest educational initiatives in the UK, which has helped to expose over 300,000 children in 7,000 schools to the benefits of creative writing, and secured endorsements from the leaders of the biggest political parties in England and Scotland.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales’ Charity, the Princes’ Scottish Youth Business Trust Charity, has also recently appointed him an Ambassador.

Political In!ol!ementAzeem has also broadened his political involvement over the last year. He was the youngest member of Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s Special Task Force on Social Mobility, on which he was appointed the sub-team leader tasked with studying how internships could help to improve access to the professions in Britain.

He is a regular contributor of editorials to the Scotsman newspaper, politics.co.uk, and a number of other publications around the world, on topics including budgetary policy, defence spending and policy, European integration, Israel-Palestinian peace talks, constitutional matters, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Islamic radicalisation, Scottish energy policy, and sharia law in Britain.

Other interestsFor seven years until early 2006, Azeem was a reservist in the IV Battalion Parachute Regiment – the British army’s elite airborne infantry reserve where they are trained to be inserted by parachute behind enemy lines at short notice. A citizen of both the US and the UK, he is a fitness fanatic keen on marathon and fell running, and speaks four languages.

Azeem Ibrahim


Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown – July 2009“ The work that you have undertaken and published is serious and

high quality. The analysis and rigour you bought to this issue (social mobility) will provide a firm platform for actions by the professions and government over the years ahead”

Ambassador John Shattuck – US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy and Human Rights – February 2009 “ I was struck by his great intelligence and wide ranging professional

expertise and interests. Rarely have I met someone so accomplished at such an early age.”

Evening Times – January 2009“ The Prime Minister has made a very wise choice by appointing Azeem

Ibrahim to help disadvantaged people.” “ He is an example to people everywhere and a sound choice to help

others become high-flyers. And if Gordon Brown can see his value, surely it’s about time Glasgow honoured this outstanding individual.”

Dow Jones Wealth Bulletin – Sept 2008“ Azeem Ibrahim has the perfect profile for a 21st century

entrepreneur.”

Carter Anderson – Bank of Scotland’s Asian Power 100 – December 2007“One of the most influential and highest achieving people in Britain.”

Asian Enterprise – September 2008:“A man of many dimensions.”“ Whether it is his academic life, business interests, political involvement or charity work, Ibrahim has excelled in every field to

become one of the most respected and wealthiest young people in the UK today.”

Sunday Times – November 2008“ Part of his attraction to decision makers if the unique perspective he brings to these issues. He is a youthful business success;

he has been lauded as a great example to British Asians and served as a reservist paratrooper for seven years.” “ Azeem’s manner is easy too. He does not come across as dogmatic or arrogant and it is clear a sharp intellect lies

behind his thoughts.”

Entrepreneurial Exchange – March 2010“Azeem is a stunning role model on what is possible. He may well be the last of true polymath’s.” Evening Times – June 2007“ The globe trotting founder and chairman of ECM Bank is relaxed, friendly and not at all the robotic, money making machine

I had expected.”

The Herald – June 2007“ Azeem Ibrahim is a one man power house whose difficult childhood spurred him to become one of the richest men

in the UK – aged only 32.”“He has an address book to rival a Prime Ministers.”

Azeem IbrahimTestimonials


Islamic Times – June 2007“Azeem Ibrahim brings focus and intensity to all his endeavors whether they be charity work or banking.”“ Ibrahim has an exceptional track record in bringing strategic thinking to his dealings in international commerce

and has a proven ability in understanding the dynamics of the international financial world.”

Success Magazine – August 2007“Azeem Ibrahim has the focus and intensity one would expect of a successful businessman.”“Ibrahim’s down to earth approach is clearly rooted in a Glasgow upbringing.”

Sunday Times – May 2007“ Despite his reticence Ibrahim exudes confidence in everything he does without sounding too cocky…

at times his CV sounds too good to be true.”

The Sun – June 2007“As well as being filthy rich, he also has brains.”

Azeem IbrahimTestimonials


Azeem Ibrahim · Relations Committee, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, the Prime Minister of Turkey,...

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