Renowned as a billionaire real estate mogul, Asif Aziz, CEO of Criterion Capital, is also an investor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Asif’s journey began at the age of 16 when he acquired his first property at an auction. Today, Criterion Capital boasts a portfolio valued at £3.6 billion, comprising some of London’s most iconic landmarks in the West End area including the London Trocadero, Pavilion, and Criterion Building.
Beyond his business and entrepreneurial ventures, Asif also holds the role of Chairman at the Aziz Foundation, a family charity committed to providing scholarships, community grants, and fellowships to support British Muslims. Trainee solicitor Ibrahim Mohammed interviewed Asif to find out more about his work.
As a trainee solicitor at Farrer & Co, I owe a portion of my journey to your philanthropy, which provided me with a scholarship to pursue a master’s degree at Oxford University and funded a legal internship. What drives your commitment to supporting and empowering young British Muslims?
My ambition to make a real difference in their lives. Today, 15 per cent of London’s population are struggling financially. The average British Muslim household doesn’t even make £30,000 a year, a stark reminder of the clear, economic disparities across the UK.
Through the Aziz Foundation, we provide educational programs and professional opportunities, which serve to alleviate immediate financial hardships but also enriches diversity and inclusivity in workplaces. It’s a real privilege to directly transform the lives of those born into lower socio-economic backgrounds and watch them thrive, not only changing their lives through equipping them with education and the professional tools needed today to be successful, but to change the lives of their families.
