Social entrepreneur
Faraz Khan
Faraz Khan is a UK based Pakistani social entrepreneur, investor and author who believes in bringing a positive change in the society through entrepreneurship business and trade. He is a published author, writer, lecturer and leading authority on social entrepreneurship in Pakistan and UK.He is ...
Languages:
Employability:
Coaching,Keynote Speaker,Motivational Speaker,Panel
Employability:
Coaching,Keynote Speaker,Motivational Speaker,Panel,
About Faraz Khan
Faraz Khan is a UK based Pakistani social entrepreneur, investor and author who believes in bringing a positive change in the society through entrepreneurship business and trade. He is a published author, writer, lecturer and leading authority on social entrepreneurship in Pakistan and UK.
He is well known for his forward-thinking business models that allow him to fulfill a personal commitment to better the lives of the residents in Pakistan, UK and beyond.
In the past 9 years, he and his partners, have created 11 leading businesses globally.
He represents Pakistan on major global entrepreneurial forums and has been recognized for his business acumen as well his passion to make Pakistan an attractive business destination for local and global business community.
He brings with him years of banking and corporate experience that is a mix of both local and international cultures of businesses, enabling him to integrate successful models into The entrepreneurial eco systems of UK and Pakistan.
Over the period of 10 years he has taken many entrepreneurial initiatives, in the field of media, socio-economic development, arts, entrepreneurship, trade promotion and urban development, transforming each into a success story and considers the idea of inspiring and mentoring the young generation to be the change agents themselves. A staunch believer in the concept of “everything is possible with intent, idea & people” provided that there is a will to make things happen.
His work experience with different global organizations, each representing different countries but all pivoted to one agenda; best practices for regional and economic development. His most notable work includes the launch of a social entrepreneurial venture Seed ventures, the first of such in UK & Pakistan that actively promotes, supports and fosters entrepreneurship from grass root, business schools and micro segments of the society.
The primary focus is to help scale the existing sector of entrepreneurs working with local communities into new markets. Apart from the corporate brand & holdings company for his socio-business ventures, Seed ventures is going to be a think tank for fostering entrepreneurship at micro, social and youth segments in UK, south Asia specifically in Pakistan & Oman.
Seed ventures is in the final phases of launching a Social investment Fund SIF which would be invested through structured and indigenous models into Pakistan’s rural and semi urban entrepreneurial eco system.
Faraz Khan has been appointed as a member of Catalyst UKTI, joining UK’s most powerful business advocates representing British interests around the world and championing the UK as the world’s best international business partner.
He sits on the advisory board of All Party Parliamentary Group on Entrepreneurship that advises the UK Parliament and both the houses on the development of Entrepreneurship in the UK.
He has also been invited to join Atlantic Council’s advisory board, which is going to advise the governments on bringing the Indian & Pakistani entrepreneurs together through Dosti network.
One of Seed ventures company Gizelle Communication has been the finalist in Arabia 500 fastest growing companies in MENA region 2011. Another of Seed venture initiative has been nominated as Pakistan top 100 Company in March 2012.
Faraz has been nominated as an Asia society leader – a global think tank to represent Pakistan in Delhi, India. He has also been nominated as Future Leaders Power 100 Pakistan, a selection that signifies and collates the 100 most promising personalities who will shape the future of Pakistan.
He is a published co-author of a leading succession management parable Pukhtheory, which has been a tremendous success in corporate and entrepreneurial communities of Pakistan and beyond.
He speaks frequently on business, entrepreneurship & trade on international forums.
Specialist Subjects
Paul Lancaster
“Truly incredible from beginning to end! His presentation was pitched perfectly for our students who sat in stunned silence listening intently to his amazing story. We really couldn’t have asked for a more passionate or inspirational speaker.
References
Mariam Agha
I have gotten the opportunity to work with Faraz at various organizations. His dedication to work and detailed knowledge of his area of expertise makes him shine through. When purchasing Out of Home media, every advertiser wants a plan tailor made to his requirements and then a flawless execution too. Faraz understands this, and has ensured the service standards at Gizelle honour this. It has always been a pleasure working with Faraz.
Omar Khan
Faraz was among the short listed candidates which I as Director Marketing & Communication Division of HBL - the largest commercial bank of Pakistan was to interview for the post of number two of the Division. It did not take much time of discourse with him to ascertain that in having Faraz on board, the bank would be acquiring a human asset of brilliant new paradigm built on seminal ideas on how to make challenges more surmountable. This was the year 2002. From then on till 2006 when I parted ways with HBL, his prolific mind continued to churn out marketing and communication ideas for the bank's products and services which in its own area of responsibility helped the bank wake up from the 27 years lethargic hybernation of a nationalized atmosphere to a vibrant competitive commercial bank.
It did not come as a surprise to me when I first learned of Faraz's wading away from a career which, in a very short span of time would have taken him to the top. But then he is not the one to be satisfied with monotony of the routine. At present he has his interests in several entrepreneurial entities in various countries (Stimulus being one the few) and each with diverse constellation of commercial and CSR activities. These entities have become commercially and productively viable fairly early, primarily because Faraz has been able to identify fundamental detriments of economic performance and how merits and demerits can be synergised to work as a system so that the home market of these entities can influence innovation to sustain superior performance.
In ending I must though admit that more than Faraz the entrepreneur it is the human being in him that has impressed me the most. He is a person who is always ready to reach out, with all the ingredient of sincerity, to help and support those around him - however faint or muffled the call for help may be. This for him is the art of all art.
Unjela Kaleem
Faraz is one of the highly competent individuals i have the opportunity of working with. While at OICCI, I often consulted him on developing the policy for enhancing entrepreneurship skills in Pakistan. Faraz would not only have fresh ideas but also a very practical approach towards doing things - which is very evident in the way he has moved forward. He always believed in doing more and talking less. His innovative approach to link the public-private sector with social responsibility initiatives shows the diversity of approach in doing things.