From Baffa to the World: The Story of Riaz Shah’s Global Leadership

Riaz Shah has built a career that bridges boardrooms, classrooms, and international leadership programs, weaving together corporate expertise with a deep commitment to education and social innovation. As a Professor of Practice of Innovation and Leadership at Hult International Business School, he counsels senior executives on navigating a world shaped by digital disruption, global megatrends, and evolving leadership demands. But Shah’s impact goes far beyond academia. His career demonstrates how business, government, and education can intersect to shape meaningful change.
From Baffa to London and Beyond
Born in Baffa, Pakistan, in 1962, Shah moved with his family to London at the age of six. He graduated from the University of Bradford in 1983, later advancing his studies at Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program in 2011 and Singularity University’s Executive Program in 2017. Recognized for his professional excellence, he is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales and the Royal Society of Arts.
A Transformative Career at EY
Shah spent 27 years at Ernst & Young (EY), becoming a partner in 1997. Initially working in Assurance, he quickly distinguished himself as a leader in solving complex financial and operational challenges. Rising to Chief Operating Officer of EMEIA Markets, he oversaw operations across Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa.
Later, as EY’s Chief Global Learning and Development Officer, Shah transformed the company’s approach to professional growth. He spearheaded initiatives that delivered over 24 million hours of training annually and launched innovations such as the EY Tech MBA and EY Badges, which have since issued hundreds of thousands of digital learning credentials.
Reflecting on this work, Shah explained: “Within the first six months, approximately 2,000 people had earned badges. Now, after three to four years, we have issued nearly 450,000 badges. This represents a significant amount of learning, with each badge requiring a minimum of 15 hours of dedicated study.”
His emphasis on scalable, future-oriented learning helped reshape leadership development in one of the world’s largest organizations.
Education as a Personal Mission
Shah’s commitment to education is deeply personal. In 2015, honoring the last wish of a close friend, he co-founded One Degree Academy in North London to serve disadvantaged students. The school went on to earn “Outstanding” ratings from Ofsted in both 2019 and 2025 and was a finalist in the World’s Best School Prize for Overcoming Adversity.
Shah described the promise he made at his friend’s bedside as life-changing: “Tragically, just eight days later, he succumbed to a rare form of cancer at 30. I couldn’t forget the promise I had made… and so, the One Degree Academy stands as a testament to the power of a promise and the impact that a single individual can have on the lives of many.”
In 2025, he extended his efforts by sponsoring AIM Academies, further advancing his belief in equal access to opportunity.
Global Leadership and Advisory
Beyond business and education, Shah has worked with governments, sovereign wealth funds, and global institutions. As Senior Partner at Impactum, he has advised on leadership and governance, including engagements with Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund, Danantara, and high-level dialogues with President Prabowo Subianto. His work emphasizes strengthening governance capacity and preparing institutions for disruptive change.
A Global Voice on Leadership
Shah is also a sought-after speaker, addressing organizations such as YPO, Lufthansa, EF, Upgrade 100, and Digital Agenda Cyprus. His talks often center on rethinking leadership in times of uncertainty, encouraging leaders to embrace experimentation, innovation, and diversity.
Recognition and Honors
In 2023, King Charles III appointed Shah as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), recognizing his lifelong dedication to education and leadership. The honor underscored a career defined not only by corporate success but also by consistent efforts to build communities and expand access to opportunity.
A Legacy of Learning and Impact
The story of Riaz Shah demonstrates how corporate knowledge, educational purpose, and social responsibility can be fused into a single career of global influence. Whether reimagining professional learning at EY, founding schools for underserved students in London, or advising governments on leadership strategies, Shah has shown that leadership is not confined to boardrooms. It thrives in classrooms, communities, and in the promises we keep to others.