"Great insights, Surinder! Makes me think that we need to build an ecosystem around these leaders - both global networks of professionals, like Business Fights Poverty, and expert organisations, like yours, that can guide and support specific action."
BFP Team
- Zahid Torres-Rahman
- Featured Blogs (47)
- Discussions (56)
- Events (1)
- Groups (5)
- Photos
- Photo Albums
- Videos
Zahid Torres-Rahman's Groups
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Peace Through Commerce C…
865 members
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The Book Club
165 members
Zahid Torres-Rahman's Discussions
How do we deliver on "Africa’s promise", and was the UK right in its decision to end direct aid to South Africa?
4 Replies
Started this discussion. Last reply by Richard Morgan May 22.
Dhaka factory collapse: Can the clothes industry change?
4 Replies
Started this discussion. Last reply by Ayesha Mustafa Apr 27.
What can social intrapreneurs learn from social entrepreneurs?
48 Replies
Started this discussion. Last reply by Lee Rael Apr 19.
Zahid Torres-Rahman's Events
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Base of the pyramid consumers: getting the right product to the right people
June 19, 2013 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm – Unilever House
Welcome to Business Fights Poverty!
Latest Comments
BFP TeamZahid Torres-Rahman replied to member's discussion Launching the B Team: How can we catalyse a new way of doing business?
BFP TeamZahid Torres-Rahman replied to member's discussion Launching the B Team: How can we catalyse a new way of doing business?
"Very good points Caroline! For those of us who have been working on inclusive business for some years, I'd like to think that we left the high-level slogans (both pro- and anti-business) far behind - in favour of a focus on more practical,…"
BFP TeamZahid Torres-Rahman replied to member's discussion Launching the B Team: How can we catalyse a new way of doing business?
"Welcome to this online event to mark the launch of Richard Branson's B Team.
Members of the Business Fights Poverty have been at the frontier of harnessing business for social impact. Check out these numerous examples in our…"
BFP TeamZahid Torres-Rahman replied to Nick Conger's discussion How is sustainable food production helping to pull people out of poverty?
"That brings us to the end of the is live discussion. Thank you so much to everyone for tuning in! Thanks especially to our panel and to all the Business Fights Poverty members who posted comments. It's been a rich and…"
Profile Information
- Sector
- I am an entrepreneur, I am a social entrepreneur, I work for a company
- Website:
- http://www.inspiris.co.uk
- About my work:
- I am a specialist in developing platforms and partnerships that bring together the worlds of business and international development.
I am the Founding Director of Business Action for Africa, an international network of over 150 businesses and development partners, led by a board of multinational corporations, DFID, CDC and the International Business Leaders Forum. Members work collectively to advocate for policies to drive growth and poverty reduction in Africa, to develop on-the-ground programmes, and to share best practice.
I also founded Business Fights Poverty, the leading online community for business and development, connecting over 10,000 professionals.
Through the strategy and communications agency that I co-founded, Inspiris, I also regularly act as an adviser to a range of organisations. In my capacity as lead adviser to the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) on business engagement, I helped develop the Business Call to Action (BCTA) (a UN-based platform to catalyze corporate commitments) and the Business Innovation Facility (for which I also developed the online practitioner hub).
Working at the interface of business and development, Inspiris helps its clients identify and build meaningful connections and partnerships with their key stakeholders. Recently, we helped SABMiller set up a major partnership with DFID (through a successful bid to the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) and the NGO FARM-Africa, to build smallholder farmer capacity in support of the company’s local sourcing objectives in South Sudan.
I am an expert in private sector development and was a member of the Steering Group for DFID’s Private Sector Development Strategy. I was also a Special Adviser to the UK Parliament’s International Development Committee Inquiry on Private Sector Development. I was the lead author of the Commission for Africa’s chapter on Growth and Poverty Reduction. I am a member of the Advisory Panel of the Vodafone Social-Economic Impact of Mobiles Programme and a Board Member of the volunteering charity, Project Trust.
Previously, I led the private sector and poverty reduction branch at HM Treasury in the UK, and have also worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers Management Consulting Services, the Guyanese Ministry of Finance, and as a teacher in Zimbabwe.
I have a BSc in Economics and Politics from the University of Bath and an MPhil in Development Studies from the University of Cambridge.
- Topics on my radar:
- Agriculture, Base of the Pyramid, Education, Enterprise Development, Environment, Finance and Investment, Governance and Transparency, Health, Inclusive Business Models, Measuring Impact, Nutrition, Partnerships, Peace and Commerce, Technology, Trade, Water, Women and Business, Youth Enterprise
- Other Topics on my radar:
- Social media
Zahid Torres-Rahman's Blog
A New Global Partnership: Eradicate Poverty and Transform Economies through Sustainable Development
Posted on June 4, 2013 at 18:30
League of Intrapreneur Winners Announced
Photo: Ashoka Founder Bill Drayton, surrounded by the 4 winners, and the League of Intrapreneurs team and supporters.
Continue
Posted on April 10, 2013 at 1:30
The Power of Music: Fat Boy Slim Helping Create Opportunities for Youth in the UK
Posted on March 3, 2013 at 20:30
Promised Land: Big Business vs Small Town America
Posted on January 15, 2013 at 9:00 — 2 Comments
Comment Wall (13 comments)
- At 22:12 on April 28, 2008,
Karsten Weitzenegger said… - Hello Zahid, Thanks for the evening in Hamburg and the personal intro to Business Fights Poverty. I look forward to promote it.
Cheers, Karsten
- At 4:23 on May 20, 2008,
A.M.Sall said… - Thanks a lot for connecting with me here, Zahid (I think we've already "met" on LinkedIn). Muchísimas gracias!
Let's make sure we keep in touch
Best
Amadou
- At 19:33 on May 21, 2008,
Conectafrica said… - Hello Zahid,
I read your interesting interview on the Cheetah Index (great blog too)
So, now I know exactly what you're doing & I must say: well done!
I specially agree with your views on business, education, formation, cooperation & cultural change, they are the only way to fight against poverty & to protect the environment.
Here we are, we all want a change, let's make it BIG, saying to our kids "SHARE", instead of "BE A STAR", I really hope this is the wind of change that is coming on the web 2.0, instead of a BIG Big Brother...
Well, now know you have one more soldier in Las Palmas, wich is quite a strategic place too...
Really pleased to meet you,
Kind regards,
Stephane Bajulaz
- At 15:03 on July 7, 2008, Conectafrica said…
- Hello,
How are you?
I thought you may be interested by this banner:
And the UN full report "Mobile Technology for Social Change"
- At 14:48 on July 29, 2008, Conectafrica said…
- Hello Zahid, how are you?
I just wanted to invite you personally to join my new community, virtually & strategically located between Canary Islands, Africa & the world wide web : http://conectafrica.ning.com
http://conectafrica.ning.com
Visitar Conectafrica
Following yours steps ;)
Please feel free to join & promote your work with us, Africanarians, or Canariafricans, as you like.
Have nice day.
Stef
- At 8:36 on August 5, 2008,
Paul M said… - Great stuff
- At 14:15 on January 13, 2009,
Valerie Amato said… - Dear Zahid,
Many thanks indeed for leading this initiative. I am planning to join the event on 20 January, but may not be able to see you there in view of the number of attendees...
Following a 15 year career in the private sector (international banking), I have just completed an MSc in Development Management. I have a keen interest in cross-sector collaboration effectiveness (having done my MSc Research project on this theme) and am looking to marry my business expertise and passion for international development. Among several avenues being explored, I am considering joining the Inspiris Network, as I feel could add value to the team by using my client-facing skills.
Your kind advice on this and/or other opportunities matching my profile will be greatly appreciated.
I remain available for any further information you may require.
Kind regards,
Valerie Amato.
- At 13:55 on May 29, 2009, Remy Kasindi said…
- My trip in China was a very good experiences in small hydro power development for fight poverty
I thing it's good for african counties to see how to do something and change the experiencies of chinese people
- At 14:10 on May 29, 2009, Remy Kasindi said…
- Dear zahid, please help us to promote business fight poverty trought energy in DR Congo
we will be with you.
- At 22:33 on March 31, 2010,
Diego Lombardi said… - Hello Zahid,
I "meet" you in Global Pulse 2010. I just have registered here BFP, and I would like to continue share ideas with you. Specially I am very interested in know more about your experience in inclusive business and find way to apply similar project in Latin America.
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