​Host: Mian Waqar ul Islam (Founder, Waqar-e-Pakistan Literary Research Cloud)

Guest: Muhammad Imran Shahid (Chairman, Dukes Group of Companies)

​Introduction

​Mian Waqar: Good afternoon. It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Waqar-e-Pakistan Literary Research Cloud platform. Today, we are joined by an individual who has masterfully bridged the gap between complex global finance and community leadership. He is a qualified accountant with over 15 years of high-level expertise, a strategic advisor to billion-pound enterprises, and the Chairman of Dukes Group of Companies. Welcome, Mr. Muhammad Imran Shahid.

​Imran Shahid: Thank you, Mr. Waqar. It is an honor to be here and share this space with you.

​The Foundation of Professional Excellence

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Mian Waqar: Your career spans over a decade and a half, reaching the heights of the financial sector in the UK and beyond. Looking back at the start of your journey in 2010 as a Financial Director, what were the core values you established that allowed you to eventually lead the Dukes Group of Companies and your own practice in London?

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Imran Shahid: Thank you, Waqar. From the very beginning, my focus was on clarity and compliance. In the world of accounting and taxation, especially when dealing with diverse industries like retail and hospitality, the difference between success and failure is often found in the details. I wanted to move beyond just “managing books” to becoming a strategic partner for businesses—helping them understand the “why” behind their numbers.

​Navigating Global Financial Landscapes

​Mian Waqar: You have managed complex group structures and offshore companies for clients with turnovers exceeding £1 billion. For an entrepreneur or a business leader, what is the most critical piece of advice you can offer when it comes to scaling a business globally while maintaining robust internal controls?

​Imran Shahid: The most critical element is “Forward Thinking.” Many businesses look at accounting as a retrospective task—looking at what happened last year. However, to scale, you must look at financial forecasting and risk management. Whether in the UK, USA, or Pakistan, you must implement systems that provide real-time data. Without internal controls, growth can become a liability rather than an asset.

​The Philosophy of Giving Back

​Mian Waqar: Beyond the boardroom, you have a deep commitment to community. Your roles as a Trustee and Treasurer for the Colindale Edgware Road Mosque and your leadership in the International Scholars’ Reconciliation & Revolution Corporation (ISRRC) speak volumes. How does your professional discipline as an accountant influence your philanthropic work?

​Imran Shahid: I believe that transparency is a form of worship. Whether I am managing a corporate merger or the finances of a community center, the responsibility is the same: to be a faithful steward of the resources entrusted to me. The ISRRC, for instance, is about reconciling hearts globally. Just as we balance accounts, we must seek balance and peace in society.

​Education and Future Legacy

​Mian Waqar: You are also the Chairman of Sabiqoon International Coaching and Schooling System. In an era where technology is rapidly changing how we work, what are you teaching the next generation of leaders to prepare them for the future?

​Imran Shahid: We are teaching them that while technical skills are essential, character is permanent. I have mentored over 25 Chartered Accountants who are now leaders in their own right. My message to the youth is to embrace innovation—such as AI and digital transformation—but never lose the human touch of ethics and integrity.

​Closing Thoughts

​Mian Waqar: Mr. Imran Shahid, your journey from a Senior Accountant to a global Chairman and community leader is a testament to what can be achieved with vision and dedication. Thank you for sharing your insights with us today.

​Imran Shahid: It was a privilege, Mr. Waqar. Thank you for the wonderful work you are doing through Waqar-e-Pakistan.