The Woking Asian Business Forum appoints Shahid Azeem as its Chairman
Shahid Azeem, owner and Managing Director of Leading IT solutions specialist ArcomIT, has been appointed as the new Chairman for the Woking Asian Business Forum (WABF). Award winning entrepreneur and philanthropist, Shahid Azeem is one of Surrey’s best known and successful business leaders, and in this new role he will be encouraging and supporting the development of Asian businesses in the Woking area. Azeem joins the Forum’s board alongside other local Asian business leaders to help identify and advise the Asian Business Community. Expertise range across a number of sectors, and include IT Recruitment, Accountants, Solicitors, Retail and transportation and Estate agency.
Already supported by Woking Borough Council, Business Link, the local chambers of commerce, South-East England Development Agency (SEEDA), Learning and Skills Council and the local Asian business community, Azeem will be aiming to raise the profile of the WABF and its objectives amongst the wider business community. The WABF’s aim is to identify Asian businesses with potential and provide them with the support services they need in order to develop and grow. In addition, it aims to help businesses to diversify, offer training to individuals who are keen to develop, and provides specific guidance to Asian women and young people.
Shahid Azeem, WABF Chairman & CEO of Arcom IT: “I am delighted to accept this role and will be working hard to continue the good work already undertaken to set the forum up and drive it forward from concept to where it is today”, said Shahid Azeem, Chairman, Woking Asian Business Forum. “We want to encourage people to reach their full potential and to perhaps consider different business opportunities to the traditional ones that have often been seen as the only option for the areas young British Asians. In the future however, we want to increase the forum to be a resource for all businesses across the region.”
Azeem brings a wealth of business experience and expertise, having run his own IT Company for 18 years. In 2007, he was listed in the 2007 Royal Bank of Scotland supported ‘Asian Power 100’ list, and also became the first non-academic Visiting Fellow at The University of Surrey, where he is currently working to help realise the groundbreaking Inter Faith Education Programme. He is also Chairman of Guildford City FC, and in his first season he has; raised significant funds through sponsorship, worked hard to find a new permanent home for the club and helped them to runners up position in the league.
“The Council is fully in support of the Woking Asian Business Forum which will provide local people with the help and support that they need to run successful businesses in the Borough,” said Mark Rolt, Strategic Director at Woking Borough Council. “The appointment of Shahid Azeem in the role of Chairman will further enhance the reputation of the forum and help with building even stronger links with the local business communities.”
The WABF now has over 80 members and aims to give these businesses a platform and help with advice, training and networking within the mainstream and Asian business communities. It will help people who are already in business and those who want to go into business, as well as helping firms to grow with various events, the forum will offer training and particularly wishes to guide Asian women and young people. These newcomers to the business world will be able to look to experienced business people from a number of industries for advice and guidance.