In SERVICEof IMPACT
For over two decades, Ajaz has served on the boards of leading charitable organisations addressing education inequality, health equity, youth empowerment, child welfare, culture and the arts. These appointments reflect a commitment to using innovation, creativity, business insight and strategic thinking in service of social impact.
Founded by Sir Lewis Hamilton in 2021, and led by CEO Jason Arthur, Mission 44 is empowering young people to thrive in school, and access careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Ajaz has served on the Mission 44 board of trustees since 2023.
Founded by Sir Richard Branson and Jean Oelwang in 2004, Virgin Unite is the independent philanthropic foundation of the Virgin Group, convening people and entrepreneurial ideas to advance social justice, protect the environment, and accelerate solutions that prove business can be a force for good. Ajaz has served on the Virgin Unite board of trustees since 2013.
Founded by Sir Elton John C.H. and David Furnish in 1992, and led by CEO, Anne Aslett, the Elton John AIDS Foundation is a leader in the global response to HIV. It has raised more than $650m to support over 3,100 projects in 102 countries globally to increase access to health care, tackle LGBTQ+ stigma and end AIDS. Ajaz served on the EJAF board of trustees from 2019 to 2025.
Founded by Dame J. K. Rowling, OBE, C.H., in 2005, Lumos is an international charity that works to end the institutionalisation of children by transforming care systems and tackling the root causes of family separation and systems of care. Ajaz served on the Lumos board of trustees from 2019 to 2021.
Anna Josse founded Prism the Gift Fund in 2005 to increase the flow of charitable funds into the sector by making the act of giving more straightforward, simple and efficient. Prism has distributed over $600m to charities globally and facilitated over 15,000 grants since 2005. Ajaz served on the Prism the Gift Fund board of trustees from 12 November 2018 until 1 November 2022.
Founded with support from the Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, Mental Health Innovations uses data insights, clinical expertise, innovation and partnerships to improve mental health across the UK. Ajaz served on the board of Mental Health Innovations as a founding trustee from 2017 until 2021.
The Prince's Trust was founded by His Majesty King Charles III in 1976 when he was His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. The King's Trust helps people from disadvantaged backgrounds to build confidence and skills to gain employment. The King's Trust supports around 46,000 young people across the UK each year. Ajaz served on The Council of Prince's Trust and the Advisory Board from 2009 until 2012.
Aiming to make design's impact visible, The Design Museum was founded by the late Sir Terence Conran C.H. RDI in 1989. It is the world's leading museum dedicated to contemporary design, architecture, fashion, graphics, products and industrial design. Ajaz served on the board of The Design Museum from 2009 until 2012. Ajaz was also a Patron for the museum's Design Circle in 2018.
Founded in 1946 by the late Sir Roland Penrose CBE, Peter Watson and Herbert Read, the ICA champions emerging and established artists in contemporary culture. The ICA has hosted the debut solo shows of groundbreaking artists like Damien Hirst and Steve McQueen while also providing a platform for influential bands like The Clash and The Smiths. Ajaz served on the board of the Institute of Contemporary Arts from June 2004 until December 2010.
In serviceof EDUCATIONand ENTERPRISE
Beyond work, and in addition to his charitable trusteeships, Ajaz contributes to education, youth empowerment, and entrepreneurship development in the UK, USA and Commonwealth.
Ajaz serves as Pro-Chancellor for the University of Bath.
Ajaz serves on the Advisory Board of the Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust.
Ajaz supports the annual D&AD Creative Leaders Programme, facilitating sessions on leadership, culture, and agency growth.
Ajaz participated in a panel discussion on innovation and risk at the Department for Business and Trade's annual conference at Wembley Stadium. The session explored perspectives on innovation, public service, and the importance of creative thinking.
Ajaz participated in the Summit on Entrepreneurship in Washington D.C. hosted by President Obama and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke.
Ajaz was invited by MBA students at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, to speak and mentor participants in the programme.
Design and technology education at state-funded schools gave Ajaz opportunities he might not otherwise have had. In 2011, aiming to protect this pathway for students, he participated in a panel at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers advocating for D&T to remain compulsory in British schools. Alongside Dame Ellen MacArthur, Dick Powell, Mandy Haberman, and Paul Jackson, the discussion chaired by author and former Design Museum director Deyan Sudjic, addressed curriculum reforms threatening to sideline creative and technical subjects.