CEO Stories: Nasir Awan - How faith, family and determination helped me survive in business
Nasir Awan, the incoming president of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, is the latest guest on CEO Stories - the podcast hosted by GBCC chief executive Henrietta Brealey.
The episode is available to listen to on all major listening apps such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
When Nasir came to England in the 1960s, he could speak virtually no English.
Today, Nasir is one of the West Midlands’ most successful business figures – and, on 17 November, 2023, he will become president of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.
In the final episode of CEO Stories season two, the boss of international wholesale firm Awan Marketing talks Henrietta through an eventful life and career – from humble beginnings in Pakistan to a career in business and charity that makes phenomenal reading.
Nasir shares some of the highs and lows experienced along the way – including a tumultuous time in the mid-2000s when he came close to losing everything.
It was a test of faith at “a time where I was emotionally at my very lowest.”
However, that faith and determination drove Nasir on to successfully rebuild his business which evolved into one of the UK’s largest wholesale firms.
We also hear about his charitable work – including an impactful role as chair of Islamic Relief – and his plans as president of the Chamber when he succeeds Deb Leary this month.
CEO Stories will return for a third season in early 2024.
CEO Stories is a monthly podcast hosted by Henrietta Brealey, who in 2021 became the youngest chief executive in the Chamber’s history.
A new episode is published on the first Monday of every month.
Throughout the series, Henrietta is joined by a variety of well-known and emerging business leaders, who will reveal what makes them tick, who inspired them and the advice they would give to aspiring CEOs.
Season One of the podcast featured a variety of guests include NEC Group chief executive Paul Thandi, Chamber president and Forensic Pathways founder Deb Leary, McDonald’s franchisee Doug Wright and TV chef Liam Dillon.
You can listen and subscribe to CEO Stories now on the following listening platforms:
