I moved from Pakistan to Scotland aged 14. I could read and write English but speaking fluently was a challenge. I battled through to learn the language, settle into a new country and get used to the culture.
In Pakistan, I had planned to study medicine to get into the army. When I relocated, I had to find something else I was good at. I really enjoy maths, so I went to Dundee University and did my BA honours in accounting and finance.
After marrying, I moved to Glasgow where I took on contract work before securing my first permanent role as an assistant accountant at a hospitality company. There, I bumped into an old university friend and together we registered to study ACCA. At this point I was working full time and had a six-month-old baby. My employer wasn’t funding me so I was buying books off Amazon and self-teaching. That’s my biggest achievement and the struggle has taught me a lot; now, I am more organised, manage my time better and am more productive.
I try to offer support to anyone, even those not in my team; my invisible door is always open
After I was made redundant, I did contract work at Shell and BAA before joining Hilton. The bulk of the work is around VAT returns and reporting, and we also do various other compliance and controls, reporting, multi-company settlement and pension accounting. It’s a wide-ranging role, which I thoroughly enjoy for the variety.
I’ve been privileged to take part in the WiHTL’s leadership programme, which promotes diversity in the hospitality, travel and leisure sectors. This has opened up more doors for me, allowing me to network better and raise my profile.
Hilton became an ACCA Approved Employer last year; I supported that process and feel honoured to have taken part. I’m now looking to set up a student support group within the business. I try to offer support to anyone, even if they are not in my team; my invisible door is always open.
I want to help people so they don’t have to go through the same trauma and anguish that I did
Outside work, I’m undertaking Migrant Leaders’ mentoring programme, run in partnership with ACCA. I want to help people so they don’t have to go through the same trauma and anguish that I did. I’m also a treasurer and a board member of Amina, which is a Muslim women’s charity.
I’m being mentored and I am mentoring someone else, so it’s a two-way thing. I’ve also started taking a very active part in the ACCA community and am a member of ACCA’s corporate sector panel.
I used to be very shy but I have gained a lot of confidence, and I tell my kids that this is really important. You need to be comfortable with what your values and ethos are. Whatever career you choose, as long as you work hard, give your best, and are committed and dedicated, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
I’m thrilled that I opened the doors to education for the rest of my family
My advice to the next generation is to be open to change and be willing to learn from your mistakes. Work hard and take everything as an achievement; once you deliver and meet your goals, you’ll get that flavour of satisfaction. You’ll learn from that, grow more, and then you’ll want to challenge and push yourself. Also, you need to be able to enjoy whatever you’re going into. Once you’ve picked a path, you need to give it 100%. If you find it’s not the right path for you, then look to change or find another way.
There have been challenges, cultural barriers and family restrictions along the way. I’m thrilled that I opened the doors to education for the rest of my family. I was the only Asian person at high school and suffered a lot of hardships, but sometimes you have to be in a particular situation to learn how to manage it. Somebody at my ACCA graduation said to me to always treat people the way you want to be treated, and those powerful words have stuck with me.
