Zaheer is a multi-award-winning Diversity and Inclusion thought leader. Currently, he is the Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Consumer Healthcare at GSK. Before this, he was Head of Strategic Delivery for the central D&I dept at EY. He was responsible for leading the Race, Innovation, and Thought leadership strategies for the firm and chaired the firmwide Race Working Group.
Zaheer is a highly decorated former police officer, he served in various departments including Uniform Policing, Force Intelligence Bureau, and Murder Investigation. He co-founded and led a national police employee resource group for serving police officers and staff. He also worked closely with the Ministry of Justice as a Member of the Race Advisory Board. He is a former Race advisor to the Arsenal football club.
He is a former member of five National Police boards including the Ministerial Progression Board and National Equality Diversity and Human Rights Board. He has contributed towards several high-profile reports including “The Parker” report, a UK Government-backed review of ethnic diversity representation in FTSE 250 boards.
He is the recipient of numerous national and international awards. He was appointed Member of the Most Excellent Order of British Empire (MBE) by Her Majesty the Queen in 2010 in recognition of his services to the police service. He is a winner of the Global Equality and Diversity Award, European Diversity “Hero of the Year” Award, and was named top 20 industry professionals in the Global Diversity List. The University of Bradford awarded him Honorary Doctorate for his efforts to advance Diversity and Inclusion both Nationally and Internationally.
He is a serving Justice of the Peace (Magistrate) sitting in adult criminal court and a School Governor. He is an advisor to an independent task force (supported by the UK Government) set up to boost socio-economic diversity in financial and professional services. A fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management and Society of Fellows at St Georges House (Windsor Castle). A Chartered Companion of Chartered Management Institute he is a member of its Advisory Committee for Race Equity. He sits on the Judging Panel of the European Diversity Awards. He is a Strategic Advisor to the British Academy of Management and a member of the City and Guilds Industry Skills Board.