Going from being a youngster growing up on a council estate to becoming an Associate Partner at Ernst & Young LLP requires true grit. It’s not an easy walk, but Zishan achieved it with humility and grace.
Zishan is currently an Executive Director at EY and will be an Associate Partner from 1 October 2017.
Background and Early Memories
Having migrated to the UK in the 1970s, Zishan’s parents were born in East Africa. His family originates from Kuch in Gujarat. His early memories of growing up on the council estate are frankly put. He says, smiling,
“I used to throw tantrums when Mum picked me up from school. I remember the spot where I realised I had dropped all my mini eggs after school one day and where I used to watch trains from our apartment window in our high rise block. I couldn’t stop crying when I didn’t get picked for the school football team!”
It was on this estate, though, that Zishan met some of his best friends – some of them have remained close to him for over 30 years.
But he is happy to be living at another location now.
“I have no shame in admitting that I feel relieved to be fortunate enough to bring up my kids in a nicer part of the country.”
Growing up on a Council Estate
Zishan says it was both tough and dangerous. “I was mugged three times in my teenage years, watched yobs sitting on my car at night- too scared to remove them- and once had a pig’s head left at our front door. As with many of us I was called a Paki on more than one occasion.”
“My home town is now known as “Shank Town” (shank is slang for knife). The challenge is the lack of aspiration that growing up in that type of environment gives you. There is little sense of self belief, and you grow up with a narrow view of the opportunities that exist.”
Trajectory- how did Zishan get from then to now?
Zishan says that the biggest inspiration in his life was and is his Mother. “She was a simple non-educated checkout operator at Tesco and wanted me to achieve something better.
Kismet is powerful, and I believe Allah is guiding me through my journey without me even realising it. I would pray and opportunities would just open up. I always wanted to work at a Big Four accounting firm and despite not making the grade to join as a graduate I stayed determined and eventually joined as an experienced hire. On my first day I promised myself I would sign audit reports in EY’s name and used to practice my EY signature. 12 years later I put it into practice.”
My goal is now to inspire my children to exceeding their potential, they mean everything to me.
How has Zishan made it at EY ahead of other ethnic peers?
He says it is about adaptability. “You have to realise how Western working culture operates and when it is and isn’t appropriate to interchange your DNA with conventional working practice. It’s not about changing who you are, but about adapting to your work environment and its commercial needs. This broadens your skill set and you realise how much boardrooms value a different way of thinking.”
Zishan has adapted, he says, but stays true to his values.
“I pray five times a day, fast during Ramadhan, say Salaam to my Muslim colleagues and hug them at Eid. EY is an inclusive workplace and supports you bringing your true self to work.
This philosophy comes from our Chairman, Steve Varley, D&I and race strategy are amongst Steve’s top priorities.
The firm also has a 10% target BME partner intake and a BME Leadership programme.”
EY’s Role in Indian Commerce in the UK
“Disruption is the buzz word. Industry 4.0 and the digital world are core to this. However, the rise of the BME market is also disruption. The Parker report, which discusses boardroom diversity, speaks of the importance of boardroom ethnic diversity.
As a global firm, 90% of our client base consists of mid-market (entrepreneurial) businesses. We are well - equipped to support the journey of entrepreneurs through our flagship entrepreneur of the year programme and growth navigator offering. We maintain close links with our offices across the Indian sub-continent.”
Zishan on Asian business in the UK
“I admire Asian entrepreneurs, not only the first generation but also the second generation. Folk such as Vivek Chadha who won our London EOY Rising Star award are inspirational.
One of the best statistics I read was published in the Daily Telegraph in 2007 where Asian Wealth grew 69% in seven years vs UK GDP growth in the same period of 23%.
We have continued to grow from strength to strength and the future is exciting.”
