Asad Shamim

Asad Shamim
NationalityBritish
Occupation(s)businessman, talent manager
Known forfounder and CEO of Furniture in Fashion

Asad Shamim is a British businessman and sports talent manager. He is best known as the founder of Furniture in Fashion, an online furniture retailer in the United Kingdom.[1]

Career

In June 2007, Shamim founded 'Furniture in Fashion' in Bolton. It operates as a subsidiary of 'World of Fashion' and is known for manufacturing its products in its factory in Germany.[1][2][3] According to The Washington Times, it is the largest online furniture retailer in the UK,[1] operating primarily through its e-commerce platform. Furniture in Fashion has a 60,000 square feet (5,600 m2) warehouse and showroom located at Stone Hill Business Park in Farnworth, which became the company's headquarters in 2012.[2][4][5] In May 2014, the company agreed to supply office furniture for the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health in Iraq.[6]

In January 2013, Shamim launched 'Hoststop', a internet hosting service that hosts personal and business websites.[2] In the same year, Shamim became a sports manager for notable athletes.[7] In 2015, Shamim worked to address the British Boxing Board of Control's regulation that prohibited individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes from boxing professionally by assisting Muhammad Ali, a UK-born athlete diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He collaborated with medical professionals, including endocrinologist Dr. Ian Gallen, and partnered with organisations such as Diabetes UK to advocate for Ali's eligibility,[8][9] which led to Ali being granted a boxing license in May 2018 and becoming the first diabetic professional boxer.[10]

Shamim serves as a senior advisor to Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al Qasimmi since January 2022, whose family rules the emirates of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.[11][12] In this role, he advises on UK business investments in the UAE, and Al Qasimmi's ventures in the UK, including housing projects and business parks.[13]

In February 2023, Shamin was appointed by the International Football Association (IFA7) as its Vice President for the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.[14]

Awards and recognitions

In December 2018, Shamim received the Asian Business Leaders Award for founding Furniture in Fashion in the category of Successful Application of Digital Media.[4][15] In 2019, Shamim was awarded the British Muslim Awards,[16] and was a finalist in the 2020 Asian Business Leaders Awards.[17] In May 2024, he was awarded the Business Leader of the Year award at the 2024 British Muslim Awards.[13]

Philanthropy

Shamim is the founder of Insaaf 4U translated as "Justice for You", a non-profit organisation to aid families experiencing ongoing legal problems in Pakistan.[11][17]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Enhancing Your Living Space: Exploring Furniture in Fashion's Exquisite Collection". The Washington Times.
  2. ^ a b c "World of Fashion founder launches web hosting service". Manchester Evening News. 2012-04-09. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  3. ^ "Furnitureinfashion.net set to turnover £5m". Manchester Evening News. 2011-05-10. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  4. ^ a b "Furniture in Fashion boss lands Asian Business Leaders Award". The Bolton News. 2018-12-16. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  5. ^ Houghton, Tom (2020-12-23). "CEO warns of Brexit-Covid 'perfect storm' as shipping costs rise fivefold". Business Live. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  6. ^ "Furniture In Fashion to Supply Iraqi Govt". Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  7. ^ "Asad Shamim's Rises to Successful Sport Management". Bdaily Business News. 2018-09-10. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  8. ^ Keay, Sheldan (2018-05-10). "Type one diabetic boxer Muhammad Ali granted professional license". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  9. ^ Keay, Sheldan (2018-09-16). "UK's first diabetic boxer Muhammad Ali wins professional debut". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  10. ^ "British Pakistani boxer wins debut fight". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  11. ^ a b "Rochdale businessman named as senior advisor to private office of United Arab Emirates' ruling family". www.rochdaleonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  12. ^ "Online retail boss is new advisor to Emirati sheikh". The Bolton News. 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  13. ^ a b "Rochdale businessman accepts national award at 2024 British Muslim Awards". www.rochdaleonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  14. ^ admin (2023-01-11). "IFA7 appoints Mohammad Asad Shamim as Vice President for the UAE and the UK". IFA7. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  15. ^ "Celebrating the very best of the region's Asian business enterprise". www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  16. ^ "Rochdale businessman Asad Shamim receives Highly Commended award at British Muslim Awards". www.rochdaleonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  17. ^ a b "Entrepreneur up for top award following knock-out contribution in business". The Bolton News. 2020-02-26. Retrieved 2024-10-27.