Muhammad Ziauddin "Zia" Yusuf (born October 1986) is a British businessman and the Chairman of Reform UK, a right-wing populist political party, since 11 July 2024.
Zia Yusuf | |
|---|---|
 Yusuf in June 2024 | |
| Chairman of Reform UK | |
| Assumed office 11 July 2024 | |
| Leader | Nigel Farage |
| Preceded by | Richard Tice |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Muhammad Ziauddin Yusuf 1986 (age 37–38) Scotland, UK |
| Political party | Reform UK |
| Education | Hampton School London School of Economics |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Early life
editMuhammad Ziauddin Yusuf[1] was born in Scotland[2] in October 1986.[3] His parents migrated from Sri Lanka to the UK in the 1980s, and both worked for the NHS.[4] His father is a doctor and his mother is a nurse.[5]
He was educated at Hampton School in west London, where he met his future business partner, Alex Macdonald.[6] He earned a BSc in international relations from the London School of Economics in 2009.[7][8]
Career
editYusuf worked for Goldman Sachs, rising to executive director.[6]
In 2014, Yusuf and Macdonald founded a luxury concierge company, Velocity Black, of which he was the CEO.[9][6] In 2023, they sold the company to Capital One for £233 million, and Yusuf made an estimated £31 million.[10][4][2]
Politics
editYusuf was the largest donor to Reform UK in the run-up to the 2024 general election.[9][11]
On 11 July 2024, he succeeded Richard Tice as Chairman of Reform UK, a right-wing populist political party and limited company controlled by Nigel Farage who holds 53 per cent of Reform UK Ltd.[12][9]
Personal life
editHe is a Muslim.[10] Yusuf describes himself as a "British Muslim patriot".[2]
References
edit- ^ Lynch, David (8 July 2024). "Reform UK received £600,000 in one week's donations, as Labour outstrips Tories". Evening Standard. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ a b c Mulla, Imran (20 June 2024). "UK: Muslim millionaire becomes largest donor to Nigel Farage's party". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/XDs-VnOho0pmhadmKvI9N16GMWA/appointments
- ^ a b Whannel, Kate. "Entrepreneur Yusuf replaces Tice as Reform chairman". BBC News. No. 11 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ "A Conversation with Velocity Black's Zia Yusuf". Matter of Form. 24 April 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ a b c Shapland, Mark (2 August 2018). "Zia Yusuf at Velocity Black profile: the workaholic who smoothes the way for the rich and famous". Evening Standard. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ "Zia Yusuf Co-Founder, Velocity Black". Expert Impact. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ "LSE Alumni". Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ a b c Quinn, Ben (11 July 2024). "Nigel Farage stirs tensions in Reform UK as he ousts deputies". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ a b Rayner, Gordon (19 June 2024). "Muslim entrepreneur gives Reform biggest donation of campaign". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ Holl-Allen, Genevieve (11 July 2024). "Reform announces donor Zia Yusaf as new party chairman". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ Uddin, Rafe (26 April 2024). "Reform UK's unusual structure with Nigel Farage in the middle". www.ft.com. Financial Times. Retrieved 12 July 2024.