The British Board of Scholars & Imams (BBSI) is a national, ecumenical, and representative body of scholars and imams across the UK. Since its inception, the BBSI has provided guidance, theological leadership, and support to the British Muslim community and beyond.

As part of its ongoing development, the BBSI recently invited skilled and experienced individuals to come forward for the voluntary role of COO. The successful candidate would support the National Executive Board in developing the BBSI, building on its existing work, strengthening its institutional capacity, and supporting the development of an Imams’ Guild, among other initiatives.

We received numerous applications from individuals with a wide range of relevant experience and expertise. Following the selection process, we are pleased to announce that Ustadh Zahed Ahmed has been appointed as the BBSI’s COO.

Zahed brings a broad combination of corporate, academic, Islamic, and community experience to the role. His professional career has spanned strategy consulting, investment banking, technology, and entrepreneurship. He founded and subsequently exited a strategy consulting firm in the city and continues to advise clients in a consulting or non-executive capacity while also contributing to the development of several start-ups. He is also the founder of Purpose Partners, a pro bono not-for-profit providing strategic and operational support to charities and Muslim third-sector organisations rooted in Quranic principles and Prophetic strategies. 

Alongside this, Zahed has a strong background in Islamic scholarship and education. He holds an MA from the University of Cambridge and has undertaken graduate research as part of PhD studies at the University of Leeds on Arabic, the Qur’an and artificial intelligence. His Islamic studies include training in the Darse Nizami tradition in the UK, several years of extensive study at the Madyafa at Al-Azhar in Cairo, and a period of private study in Makkah. He has also been involved in Islamic course development and teaching, served as an imam in Enfield, and currently contributes to several masajid as a visiting scholar and khateeb.

Zahed has spent more than two decades working with and advising Muslim charities, educational institutions, and community organisations, including Ebrahim College and Safar Publications. He is deeply committed to serving the community and to strengthening the institutions that support scholars and imams, enabling them to thrive, collaborate, and have greater impact in their work, and ultimately to better serve the communities entrusted to them.

The BBSI looks forward to working with Ustadh Zahed Ahmed in this new capacity and to building upon the considerable work already undertaken by the organisation. We pray that Allah ﷻ grants him tawfiq, wisdom and steadfastness in this role, and that his contribution benefits the BBSI, its scholars and imams, and the wider Muslim community.

May Allah ﷻ bless this work and grant the BBSI continued success in its service to the scholars, imams and communities of the UK. Ameen.