Paul is an experienced IT sales-led Business Manager and Education Technology Specialist who is passionate and dedicated to the Education sector with strong operational leadership ability and strategic-level engagement with Government Ministers, Education agencies and institutions. A proven track record of consistently achieving revenue growth and increasing market share.

Awards and Recognition
WInner Global Recognition Award – Rev Jesse Jackson (2017)
Nominated Black British Business Awards (2017=21)
Nominated National Diversity Award (2017-21)
Finalist Black British Business Awards (2017)
Nominated Inclusive Company leadership Awards (2020-21)
Judges Commendations Edtech50 Awards (House of Lords) 2018
Nominated The Employee of the Year Award for The Inclusive Companies Awards 2018-21
AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials

My Current role as Education Sector (Primary to Higher Education) Lead allows me to focus on changing the way IT is consumed in education - making it simple, agile and cost effective. I believe both staff and students should have the best technology available to help them teach and learn.

Technology
• Zoom | UCAS | Video communication
• Mobility | BYOD | Wireless
• Machine learning | Data analytics
• Hybrid IT | AWS Cloud Practitioner
• Autonomous Data Center Transformation
• Object Storage
• Surveillance
• Wi-Fi-based indoor positioning
• Education reference architecture
• Technical design consultancy | IT Transformation
• Storage | Servers | Networking | Composable infrastructure
• HPE Product portfolio
• Technical demonstration and workshops
• Capital Builds (Free schools, PSBP, UTC, MATS etc.)
• Budget setting and cost reduction
• Intelligent Edge (IOT)

Frameworks
• Crown Commercial Service (CCS)
• Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC):
• CCS RM1054:
• SSSNA
• Ja.NET

Award-winning Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) strategist. I believe anti-racism and the dismantling of white supremacy are at the very core of equity work. Decentering power structures of dominance based on racialised identity is a work of collective liberation. Standing against discrimination and oppression in all forms is integral to my values as a DEI practitioner.

Qualified solicitor, Mental Health First Aider, member of the Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. Previously a Director of Freehold LGBT+, the largest networking forum for LGBTQ+ professionals in real estate; currently a Trustee for Disability Action in Islington, supporting disabled people and parents/carers of disabled children living, working or studying in Islington, London.

Proven expertise in developing, managing and creatively delivering DEI projects and initiatives. Commercially focused and benefiting from both professional and lived experience of disability, with a keen interest in how such disabilities are managed (or not!) in challenging, client-focused work environments. Particular experience of project management, stakeholder engagement, business development and delivery of training, both throughout my legal career and through pro bono, voluntary and executive committee/board level involvement in relation to inclusion and belonging.

Prior to my dedicated roles in DEI, I was a senior corporate finance solicitor with 10+ years' elite magic circle and US firm experience in advising sponsors, lenders, credit funds and corporate borrowers on a range of cross-border leveraged finance, refinancing, syndicated lending, high yield, restructuring and general banking matters.

A recognised Policing Expert and Inclusive Culture Expert, Sal was the first South Asian and Muslim to hold the post of Regional Director for London at the Independent Office for Police Conduct. He was one of the most senior visible Muslims to have worked in the Civil Service.

Sal is a LinkedIn Top Voice on Inclusive Cultures, and a sought after public speaker. In addition to his experiences in policing he speaks about the following subjects:

↪️ How you can be a changemaker every day.
↪️ Finding, following and leading with your true north.
↪️ The Authenticity Dilemma
↪️ How to be a male ally
↪️ The Isolation of Islamophobia

Sal has been recognised as one of the top 10 voices in the world on anti-discrimination on LinkedIn by Favikon in 2024. Honoured as one of the 50 most influential people driving change in the UK through inclusion in the Diversity Power List 2023/2024. Recognised as one of the most inspirational leaders on inclusion by D&I Leaders 2024.

Winner of the national Equality Diversity and Inclusion Award from the FDA Union 2023 in recognition of his tangible work focused on ED&I and driving change in Policing at a regional and national level. And featured as one of the top 100 most influential Muslims in the UK. Sal has hosted TedX Aston University in 2024.

Currently an Assistant Director in the largest local authority in Europe, working to tackle the inequalities facing citizens across Birmingham.

Sal is a Senior Associate Fellow at the Police Foundation, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and holds a Law Degree from the University of Glasgow.

Worked passionately to drive change in policing in London and nationally as the Strategic Lead on Discrimination. Focussed on tangible work in: stop & search, racism, misogyny, police culture and centring inclusion in the national conversation. Became a nationally regarded voice in this area.

An experienced decision maker with a demonstrated history of working in the regulatory sector making difficult, complex and high-profile decisions.

Extensive experience of speaking to the media on a regional, national and international stage.

Nationally regarded inspirational public speaker, skilled at engaging different audiences on the difficult issues, with emotional connection.

As a multi-award-winning leader in technology and business, I have enjoyed an extensive career working for blue-chip global organisations leading teams across Europe, Middle East, Africa and Russia to help clients understand and leverage the benefits of technology in their organisations.

My current role as a Senior Director at LinkedIn is leading our Marketing Solutions business responsible for the UK and Ireland, which involves creating economic growth for organisations by helping them reach, engage and convert their audiences at scale. Previously, I have held senior leadership positions at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Cisco.

In addition to my business responsibilities, I have been a passionate advocate for diversity in Science and Technology (STEM), Social Mobility and Inclusion in the workplace frequently speaking on these topics. This work has been recognised in GQ Magazine’s 100 Most Connected Men in Britain, Powerlist of most influential black people in Britain and being a torchbearer at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

I reside or have resided on the boards and councils of several organisations including Grant Thornton, techUK, Teach First and The Arboretum London. I am also an advisor at The Sister Sister Network, mentor at the Amos Bursary, patron of the autism charity CASPA and founder of the Ilesha Charitable Trust that makes impact donations to STEM, Social Mobility, The Arts, Sport and Diversity causes.

My alumni are Stanford Business School, Wharton Business School and London South Bank University.

A keen African contemporary art collector for over 25 years (featured in the NY Times & Artsy and talks at TEFAF & ART X Lagos), patient Arsenal season ticketholder and being an ex-athlete complete my other main interests in the arts and sports.

I was humbled to receive an MBE in the Queen's 2018 New Year's Honours List for services to young people from ethnic minorities in Science & Technology.

An experienced and commercial astute professional with an proven track record of delivering results.

I am passionate about business and keen to demonstrate to even the most skeptical business leader that they have the ability to positively influence the external environment to the benefit of their business, their employees, their customers and ultimately the prosperity of the UK economy.