Dr. Vikas Shah MBE DL is an entrepreneur, investor & philanthropist. He started his first business aged 14 and is now CEO of Swiscot Group (a textiles & commodities trading business) alongside being a venture-investor in a number of businesses internationally. He is a Non-Executive Board Member of the UK Government’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and a Non-Executive Director of the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Vikas was awarded an MBE for Services to Business and the Economy in Her Majesty the Queen’s 2018 New Year’s Honours List and in 2021 became a Deputy Lieutenant of the Greater Manchester Lieutenancy.

Vikas has taught at universities around the world. He holds an Honorary Professorship of Business at The Alliance Business School, University of Manchester (where he is a member of the advisory board) and is an Honorary Professorial Fellow at the Lancaster University Management School (LUMS). He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) by the University of Salford in November, 2022.

As a committed philanthropist, Vikas sits as Chair of In Place of War (international peace building and entrepreneurship NGO with 100 grassroots community organisations with a collective reach of over 60m people in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America), as a Trustee of Mustard Tree (helping tens of thousands impacted by poverty and marginalisation across Greater Manchester) and as a trustee of the We Are Family Foundation (artist Nile Rodgers’ global charity). Vikas is Former President and sits on the Board of TiE UK North (part of the world’s largest entrepreneur’s network) was a Digital Advisor to the British Council.

Vikas is also a published author. His 2021 book Thought Economics released features his interviews with the people shaping our century. Including conversations with Nobel prize winners, business leaders, politicians, artists and Olympians, he has been in the privileged position of questioning the minds that matter on the big issues that concern us all.

As the host of a podcast series called “Thought Economics,” Vikas conducts insightful interviews with leading figures from the worlds of politics, influencers, and business. Additionally, Vikas has published a book with the same name.

With his dedication to supporting others, insights and impressive achievements, Vikas Shah’s membership in the Home Grown Club has enriched our community immensely. His commitment to philanthropy and his entrepreneurial spirit make him an outstanding asset to our club.