Tyneside-based Ammar Mirza CBE has helped to establish more than 1,000 businesses and is a serial entrepreneur with experience and expertise across a range of industries. As the founder and chair of ABC, he is on a mission to establish the North East as the most inclusive region in England by 2025 through the innovative #InclusionByDefault campaign.
What was your first job (and how much did it pay)? My first job was at a local shop in the West End of Newcastle when I was aged 10, where I stacked shelves and served customers. I earned £2 for the whole weekend which I gave to my late mother to help with bills. It taught me the value of hard work, community and how small interactions can make a big impact.
What is the best advice or support you’ve been given in business? The best advice came from my late mother, who said: "always put others first, and success will follow." She taught me that the real measure of success is in how much you can help others grow. This ethos underpins my work across the AmmarM Group and especially with ABConnexions and the SME Centre of Excellence.
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What are the main changes you’ve seen in your business/sector and what are the challenges you’re facing? The shift towards digitalisation and sustainability has been transformative. The biggest challenges are ensuring SMEs are equipped with the right skills and resources to adapt, navigating the post-Brexit and post-pandemic era and dealing with cost of living uncertainties. Inclusion, innovation and collaboration have become more important than ever.
What would your dream job be? I’m living it! Supporting SMEs growing global, advocating for inclusion and fostering innovation. But if I had to pick something else, I’d love to host a global TV show where I highlight unsung community heroes and innovative businesses — combining storytelling with impact.
What advice would you give to someone starting out a career in your sector? Focus on building relationships, not just networks. It’s nice to be nice. Stay curious, embrace change and don’t be afraid to ask questions. And most importantly, always remember that people are at the heart of every business decision.
What makes the North East a good place to do business? The North East has an unbeatable sense of community, resilience and innovation. It’s a region where people are willing to collaborate and support each other, with access to global markets through infrastructure like Airview Park at Newcastle International Airport. Plus, it’s a great place to live, with a quality of life that attracts and retains talent.
How important is it for business to play a role in society? It’s essential. Businesses have a responsibility to contribute beyond profit, addressing social challenges, supporting communities and driving positive change. This is why campaigns like #InclusionByDefault are so close to my heart.
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Outside of work, what are you really good at? Family is incredibly important to me. Don’t know how good I am at it but making memories and stories makes me happy, with family evenings and weekends being very precious. I do enjoy cooking too, although my kids may challenge my culinary creativeness.
Who would play you in a film about your life? I don’t think there is anyone out there that could! If I had to choose someone, Charlie Chaplin springs to mind. He appears to have been very funny, fun loving and fun to be with.
Which three people would you invite to a dinner party, and why? My late mother: to thank her for her sacrifices and wisdom. Martin Luther King, Jr.: To discuss his vision of equality and inclusion. Sir David Attenborough: to hear his insights on the environment and life itself — plus, imagine the stories he’d share.