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Edinburgh Mum Becomes City’s First BAME Female CEO in Accountancy Firm
Edinburgh, Scotland – Saj Sharif, a mother from Edinburgh, has emerged as a role model after overcoming significant challenges to become the city’s only BAME female CEO and founder of an accountancy firm.
Saj, who grew up in Portobello and later in Saughton, faced a traditional upbringing in a culturally Pakistani household. Her parents operated a grocery store in the L-Block, from which she helped care for her three younger siblings while balancing her own education. Despite her academic talents, her father, influenced by his own upbringing in Pakistan, did not believe in educating girls, insisting that her future lay in domesticity.
At the age of 19, Saj was compelled into a marriage she did not desire. After finding the courage to leave this challenging relationship, she established Zen Consultants, one of Edinburgh’s most trusted accounting firms.
Saj recalled the difficulties she faced during her schooling in the 1970s and 1980s, where she encountered racism and discrimination. “Being at school… was really difficult, racism was rife,” she noted, sharing that she was even sent to Pakistan for a year as a child, which she described as a traumatic experience.
Determined to pursue her career, Saj sought to attend college to become a nursery teacher, but her father’s refusal to support her application led to her early engagement. She eventually agreed to marry but found herself crying throughout the ceremony, reflecting her reluctance.
Her journey to independence began when she secured a job at Edinburgh law firm Allingham & Co. There, Saj flourished under the mentorship of colleagues and quickly rose through the ranks, solidifying her resolve to succeed in her professional life despite familial pressures.
After welcoming two children with her husband, who had secured a job at the Bank of Scotland, Saj took on various jobs, including a role at a stock brokerage firm. She successfully transitioned into the finance sector and became a team leader within a year of joining, overcoming significant challenges along the way.
However, her path was not without hurdles. Following a health scare and a diagnosis of ME in 1999, she left the finance sector feeling like a failure.
Through determination and support from new relationships, Saj began building her accountancy practice, Zen Consultants, which has since attracted over 700 clients. Following her father’s eventual acceptance of her success, Saj graduated from Heriot-Watt University, marking a significant turning point in her life.
Now, Saj aims to leverage her experience to assist others, particularly those facing challenges with tax-related issues. She has announced she will be hosting a masterclass on Tax Do’s and Don’ts at Boroughmuir Rugby Club on Tuesday, October 6, starting at 9 am, aiming to share her expertise and help individuals navigate tax traps to protect their legacies.
Saj Sharif’s story is one of resilience and determination, inspiring many in Edinburgh and beyond as she advocates for financial education and empowerment.
