Zia Yusuf (born c. 1986–87)[1] is a multi-millionaire British businessman and political campaigner who has been the Chairman of Reform UK, a right-wing populist political party, since 11 July 2024.[2]
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 | Zia Yusuf 1986 or 1987 (age 37–38) Bellshill, Scotland |
| Political party | Reform UK |
| Other political affiliations | Conservative (until August 2024) |
| Alma mater | London School of Economics |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Early life
editMuhammad Ziauddin Yusuf[3] was born in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, Scotland.[4][1] His parents migrated from Sri Lanka to the UK in the 1980s, and both worked for the NHS.[5] His father is a doctor and his mother is a nurse.[6]
Yusuf was educated at the fee-charging Hampton School in west London, where he won a 50% scholarship and met his future business partner, Alex Macdonald.[7][8] Yusuf earned a BSc in international relations from the London School of Economics in 2009.[9][10]
Career
editYusuf worked for Goldman Sachs, rising to executive director.[7]
In 2014, Yusuf and Macdonald founded a luxury concierge company, Velocity Black, of which he was the CEO.[11][7] In 2023, they sold the company to Capital One for £233 million, and Yusuf made an estimated £31 million.[12][5][4]
Politics
editYusuf first met Nigel Farage at a cocktail party hosted by the Eurosceptic millionaire Stuart Wheeler.[13] After selling his business in 2023, he subsequently turned to politics and became the largest donor to Reform UK in the run-up to the 2024 general election.[11][14] Nigel Farage has suggested that Yusuf might one day lead Reform UK.[5] In June 2024, Yusuf spoke at the NEC in Birmingham.
On 11 July 2024, he succeeded Richard Tice as Chairman of Reform UK.[11]
Yusuf, despite a major donation to Reform UK in June 2024, was a paid-up member of the Conservative Party, until August 2024.[15]
Personal life
editYusuf describes himself as a "British Muslim patriot".[12][4]
References
edit- ^ a b "Zia Yusuf: the Muslim mega-donor who just became Reform's new chair". The Evening Standard. 5 August 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ "Reform UK sets up 120 branches to target Labour-held seats". The Times. 1 September 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
Zia Yusuf, Reform's new chairman, a multimillionaire entrepreneur ...
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ Rayner, Gordon (19 June 2024). "Muslim entrepreneur gives Reform biggest donation of campaign". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 4 September 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.
- ^ Heale, James (4 September 2024). "The 'British Muslim patriot' on a mission to get Farage into No. 10". The Spectator. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ Holl-Allen, Genevieve (11 July 2024). "Reform announces donor Zia Yusaf as new party chairman". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ Courea, Eleni (8 August 2024). "Reform UK chair was member of Conservatives until last week". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 August 2024.