Business Alumnus leading the way on Net Zero and Social Enterprise

Faraz Khan MBE originally studied Commerce at Karachi University from 1992 to 1996 and then graduated from the University with an MBA Marketing in 2001. He has since gone on to establish himself as one of the leading figures worldwide for social enterprise impact and climate advocacy.

Faraz founded Social Entrepreneurship & Equity Development (SEED) Ventures in 2009, a Pakistan-based social enterprise company. What started as a combination of ambition and a bright idea, within a decade became an international business with a turnover of £40 million and a large portfolio of partners.

Partnerships are very much at the heart of how Faraz works. He has utilised his many collaborations to create local and global networks across several levels within various sectors, including public, private, development, media, finance and academia.

He has mobilised these partnerships to raise multimillion dollar funds through cross-sectoral investment architecture with vehicles like corporate impact venturing, finance, co-investments and public private partnerships.

Faraz has spearheaded impact programmes and collaborations between UK and Pakistan in the space of inclusive education, enterprise, social enterprise for youth, women and Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) segments impacting and engaging over 100,000 people.

Social Enterprise is one of Faraz’s driving passions, and he has been involved in developing policy and legislation in this area, both in his native Pakistan and in the UK.

He is a regular contributor to the media and has been interviewed by outlets all over the world, such as BBC, Impact Insider and Forbes Magazine.

Another of Faraz’s key passions is sustainability, and is the CEO and Partner of SpectrEco, a global company that works with industry to create a sustainable future whilst still allowing businesses to achieve their strategic goals.

SpectrEco uses cutting-edge Technology and Artificial Intelligence to provide industry with the data it needs to shape policies and make the transition to Net Zero without adversely effecting business health and profitability.

In December 2023 Faraz was part of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) where he highlighted the urgent need to bring Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) closer into the development of climate policy. He also authored an analysis in Impact Insider Magazine where he questioned the EUs current climate policies for falling far short of what is required.

The previous month, in November 2023, Faraz recognised with one of the most prestigious awards in the UK, when he was presented with an MBE by HRH Prince William on behalf of HRH King Charles III, for his outstanding contributions to UK-Pakistan relations. His work as an advocate for the alleviation of poverty in his home country, diversity and sustainability has positively impacted the lives of thousands of people.

Faraz remains closely connected to the University of Lincoln and is currently an Advisory Board Member for the Lincoln International Business School.