London: OM International has appointed internationally recognised British-Pakistani entrepreneur and investor Asad Shamim as Chairman of its Advisory Board, a move the organisation describes as a significant step in strengthening its global leadership and advancing its long-term vision across education, technology, consultancy, international business, research, and digital financial services.

The appointment comes at a time when OM International is expanding its international operations and building new strategic partnerships across multiple sectors. According to the organisation, Asad Shamim's extensive experience in entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, governance, investment, and international diplomacy will play an important role in supporting its next phase of development.

Working Alongside Professor Dr. Omar Masood

Working closely with the organisation's Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Dr. Omar Masood, Asad Shamim will advise on strategic planning, corporate governance, international partnerships, investment opportunities, and sustainable organisational growth. He will also contribute to the development of OM Financial Services, a proposed digital-first financial services platform designed to support innovation and financial inclusion.

Professor Dr. Omar Masood, an internationally recognised educationist, financial strategist, author, and private equity expert, has led OM International's expansion over the past several years. With more than two decades of experience across banking, finance, academia, consultancy, and economic development, he has advised governments, multinational organisations, financial institutions, and universities on financial strategy and institutional growth.

Under his leadership, OM International has evolved into a diversified international organisation operating across education, consultancy, technology, research, innovation, and international business development. The organisation has established partnerships across different regions, focusing on knowledge exchange, sustainable development, and international collaboration.

A Proven Entrepreneurial Track Record

Asad Shamim is best known as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Furniture in Fashion, one of the United Kingdom's leading online furniture retailers. Through innovation and strategic planning, he successfully transformed the company into a recognised e-commerce brand serving customers across the UK.

In addition to his business achievements, Asad Shamim has built an international reputation as an investor, philanthropist, and strategic adviser. Over the years, he has worked with governments, ministries, policymakers, institutional investors, and private-sector organisations across the United Kingdom, the Gulf region, Europe, and Asia. His work has included advising on governance, international cooperation, business development, investment strategies, and public-sector initiatives.

His broad professional experience is expected to support OM International as it continues to expand its international footprint and strengthen relationships with governments, businesses, universities, and investors.

A Champion of Inclusion in International Sport

Beyond business, Asad Shamim has also gained recognition for his contribution to international sport. One of his most notable achievements was successfully challenging the long-standing policy of the British Boxing Board of Control that prevented athletes with diabetes from competing professionally.

Working alongside medical experts and legal advisers, he helped secure a landmark change in the regulations. The decision enabled his client, Muhammad Ali, to become the first professional boxer with Type 1 diabetes in the United Kingdom in 2018. The achievement has since been recognised as an important milestone in promoting equal opportunity and inclusion in professional sport.

Asad Shamim also serves as Vice President of the International Football Association (IFA7) and continues to manage professional athletes. His involvement in sport reflects the same values that have shaped his business career, including leadership, perseverance, fairness, and creating opportunities for others.

OM Financial Services: A Digital-First Vision

A major focus of the organisation's future strategy is the development of OM Financial Services. The proposed initiative aims to create a digital-first financial ecosystem that combines financial technology, innovation, digital transformation, and secure financial services to improve accessibility for businesses and individuals.

The organisation believes technological innovation will continue to reshape global financial services, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, and businesses worldwide. Through OM Financial Services, it aims to contribute to financial inclusion while supporting responsible innovation and long-term economic growth.

Leadership Perspectives

Speaking about his appointment, Asad Shamim said he was honoured to join OM International during an important stage in its development. He said the organisation's vision of combining education, innovation, technology, investment, and financial services offers significant opportunities for international collaboration, adding that responsible leadership, strategic partnerships, and innovation would remain central to achieving sustainable growth.

Professor Dr. Omar Masood welcomed the appointment, describing Asad Shamim as an accomplished entrepreneur whose international business experience and commitment to excellence would strengthen the organisation's leadership team and support its future ambitions.

A New Phase of Global Expansion

OM International has also announced plans to engage with banking professionals, financial institutions, fintech experts, technology innovators, compliance specialists, venture capital firms, academic institutions, and strategic investors as it continues expanding its international activities.

With Asad Shamim assuming the role of Chairman of the Advisory Board, OM International enters a new phase focused on expanding its international partnerships, strengthening institutional leadership, and advancing initiatives in education, technology, consultancy, innovation, and digital financial services. The appointment reflects the organisation's broader ambition to build a globally connected platform that supports entrepreneurship, knowledge sharing, investment, and sustainable development.

Source: Daily Financial Time