Zia Yusuf is a British businessman and politician who currently serves as the Head of Policy for Reform UK, a role he assumed in late 2025 following a high-profile tenure as the party’s Chairman. A self-made multi-millionaire, Yusuf rose to national prominence as the founder and former CEO of Velocity Black, a luxury concierge service which he sold to Capital One for approximately £233 million in 2023. His entry into politics was marked by becoming the largest donor to Reform UK during the 2024 General Election campaign, a move that catalyzed his rapid ascent within the party leadership alongside Nigel Farage. In this exhaustive guide, you will learn about Yusuf’s upbringing as the son of Sri Lankan immigrants in Scotland, his elite education at the London School of Economics, and his early professional success as an Executive Director at Goldman Sachs. We delve into his transition from a donor to the Chairman of Reform UK, his temporary departure and swift return to lead the “UK DOGE” (Department of Government Efficiency) unit, and his current efforts to professionalize the party ahead of the next General Election. This article also covers his ideological shift from the political left to the right, his views on British values, and his strategic vision for 2026 and beyond. Early Life and Family Background Zia Yusuf was born in October 1986 in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, to parents who had migrated from Sri Lanka in the early 1980s. Both of his parents were dedicated public servants for the NHS—his father worked as a paediatrician and his mother as an intensive care nurse—an upbringing Yusuf frequently cites as the source of his work ethic. His family eventually moved to Surrey, where Yusuf’s academic potential was recognized early on. He earned a 50% scholarship to attend the prestigious Hampton School in southwest London, an institution that would play a pivotal role in his future by introducing him to his long-term business partner, Alex Macdonald. Education and Academic Success Yusuf’s academic journey continued at the London School of Economics (LSE), where he studied International Relations. During his university years, he was notably active in political discussions and has since described himself as having been on the “political left” at the time, even participating in protests against the Iraq War. He graduated from LSE in 2009 with a BSc, a degree that provided the analytical foundation for his entry into the high-stakes world of finance. His time at LSE is often highlighted by political analysts to show his ideological evolution from a student admirer of Barack Obama to a staunch supporter of Nigel Farage and Donald Trump. Career in Investment Banking Immediately following his graduation, Yusuf entered the finance sector, working first at Merrill Lynch before moving to Goldman Sachs. At Goldman Sachs, he specialized in the European automotive and defense sectors, industries known for their complexity and high barriers to entry. His performance in these roles was exceptional, leading to his promotion to Executive Director by his late 20s. This period of his life was defined by extreme professional discipline, a trait he would later apply to both his startup ventures and his management of a growing political party. The Rise of Velocity Black In 2014, Yusuf left the banking world to co-found Velocity Black with his school friend Alex Macdonald. The company was envisioned as a digital “butler for the 1%”—an AI-driven concierge service that allowed members to book anything from private jets to last-minute reservations at Michelin-starred restaurants via a smartphone app. Under Yusuf’s leadership as CEO, the company raised over $64 million in funding from major investors like Spark Capital and O’Reilly AlphaTech Ventures. By 2022, Velocity Black had achieved a valuation of over £80 million, serving a global elite with an average net worth in the millions. The £233 Million Sale to Capital One The pinnacle of Yusuf’s business career came in June 2023, when Velocity Black was acquired by the US financial giant Capital One for a reported £233 million. This exit established Yusuf as one of the most successful tech entrepreneurs of his generation in the UK. From this sale, Yusuf personally earned an estimated £31 million, providing him with the financial independence required to pivot toward his burgeoning interest in national politics. The deal was seen as a major success for the London tech ecosystem, proving that niche luxury platforms could scale into significant acquisition targets. Entry into Reform UK Politics Yusuf’s formal entry into politics began at a cocktail party where he first met Nigel Farage. Impressed by Farage’s vision for the country, Yusuf transitioned from a Conservative Party member to a major financial backer of Reform UK, donating £200,000 during the 2024 General Election campaign. His donation was the largest the party received during that cycle, making him a central figure in Reform’s media blitz. Beyond the money, Yusuf brought a professional, data-driven approach to a party that was often criticized for its lack of formal structure and vetting processes. Tenure as Reform UK Chairman On July 11, 2024, Yusuf was appointed Chairman of Reform UK, succeeding Richard Tice. His primary mission was to “professionalize” the party, moving it from a “startup” movement to a “scaleup” political organization capable of challenging the two major parties at the national level. During his tenure, he oversaw the party’s growth to over 80,000 members and worked to build a national branch network. However, his chairmanship was not without controversy, as he faced internal friction from some members over his vetting of candidates and his handling of high-profile rows within the party. The “UK DOGE” Initiative In June 2025, following a brief two-day resignation due to “exhaustion,” Yusuf returned to the party in a newly created role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (UK DOGE). Taking inspiration from the US initiative of the same name, Yusuf was tasked with identifying wasteful public spending. The unit focuses on scrutinizing council budgets and central government departments, with Yusuf utilizing his financial background to propose cost-cutting measures. By early 2026, the UK DOGE team had become a central pillar of Reform’s economic policy, frequently appearing in party broadcasts to highlight government “bloat.” Role as Head of Policy (2025–2026) In late 2025, Yusuf transitioned into his current role as Head of Policy for Reform UK. In this position, he is responsible for drafting the party’s “Contract with the People”—a document that serves as a manifesto for future elections, focusing heavily on immigration control and economic deregulation. He has been a key advocate for stricter immigration policies, describing current levels as “unsustainable” for the NHS and other public services. His role involves balancing the populist rhetoric of the party with the technical feasibility required to attract moderate voters and business leaders. Ideology and British Values Yusuf describes himself as a “British Muslim patriot” and has been a vocal defender of what he terms “Western values.” He has frequently spoken out against radicalism and has supported Nigel Farage’s more controversial statements regarding cultural integration in the UK. Despite his religious background, he has advocated for a ban on the burqa in public spaces, citing security and social cohesion. This stance has made him a divisive figure, praised by his supporters for his “fearless” integration and criticized by opponents for aligning with hard-right rhetoric. Practical Information and Planning For individuals interested in following Zia Yusuf’s work or engaging with the Reform UK infrastructure he has helped build, the following details are helpful: Official Role: Head of Policy, Reform UK (previously Chairman). Media Presence: Regularly appears on BBC Question Time, GB News, and TalkTV. As of 2026, he is one of the party’s most frequent television representatives. Public Meetings: Yusuf often speaks at Reform UK regional conferences. Tickets are typically sold through the official Reform UK website. Contacting Policy Teams: Policy suggestions can be submitted via the Reform UK member portal, which Yusuf’s team monitors for the development of the “DOGE” reports. What to Expect: A polished, high-energy speaker who focuses on economic efficiency, national sovereignty, and “common sense” politics. Frequently Asked Questions Who is Zia Yusuf? Zia Yusuf is a British entrepreneur and the current Head of Policy for Reform UK. He is best known for founding the luxury concierge service Velocity Black and for being a major donor and former Chairman of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party. What is Zia Yusuf’s net worth in 2026? While his exact total net worth is private, it is estimated to be at least £31 million based on his earnings from the sale of Velocity Black to Capital One in 2023. Is Zia Yusuf still the Chairman of Reform UK? No, he resigned as Chairman in June 2025 citing exhaustion, but returned two days later to lead the party’s “DOGE” unit. He now serves as the Head of Policy for the party. What is the UK DOGE? The UK DOGE is Reform UK’s “Department of Government Efficiency.” Modeled after a similar US concept, it is a unit led by Yusuf that aims to identify and cut wasteful spending within the UK government and local councils. What was Velocity Black? Velocity Black was a high-end concierge app founded by Yusuf that used AI to help wealthy members book exclusive travel and experiences. It was sold for £233 million in 2023. What are Zia Yusuf’s views on immigration? Yusuf supports “net zero” immigration and argues that current levels are a primary cause of the crisis in public services like the NHS. He advocates for a points-based system focused on high-skilled labor. Is Zia Yusuf a member of the Conservative Party? He was a member of the Conservative Party for many years but left in 2024 to join Reform UK. His Conservative membership was officially revoked in August 2024 after his Reform donation became public. Does Zia Yusuf support Donald Trump? Yusuf has expressed support for Donald Trump and attended his second inauguration in Washington D.C. in January 2025. He often draws parallels between Reform UK and the MAGA movement in the US. Why did Zia Yusuf quit as Chairman in 2025? He briefly resigned in June 2025, stating that the intense work of building the party from scratch as a volunteer had led to “exhaustion.” He returned 48 hours later after an outpouring of support from party members. What is Zia Yusuf’s role in 2026? As of early 2026, he is the Head of Policy for Reform UK, focusing on the party’s platform for the next General Election and managing the ongoing DOGE efficiency reports. Final Thoughts Zia Yusuf has rapidly evolved from a high-net-worth donor into the strategic engine room of Reform UK. By early 2026, his influence was visible in the party’s move from a personality-driven protest group to a structured political organization with a clear focus on fiscal efficiency and national sovereignty. Despite a brief and highly publicized resignation in June 2025 due to “exhaustion” and internal friction over cultural issues like the burqa ban debate, Yusuf’s return to lead the Head of Policy and the UK DOGE initiatives has solidified his position as Nigel Farage’s most trusted lieutenant. His legacy is currently being defined by his attempt to apply venture capital-style “efficiency audits” to the British state. While his “DOGE” reports face scrutiny from critics and fiscal experts, they have succeeded in keeping Reform UK at the center of the national conversation regarding government waste. As the party looks toward the 2029 General Election, Yusuf remains the primary architect of their “Contract with the People,” ensuring that Reform’s populist appeal is backed by the professional vetting and data-driven strategy he honed at Goldman Sachs and Velocity Black. Read More on kentdaily Post navigation Gary Neville: Football Legend, Media Mogul, and Business Powerhouse Harper Beckham: The Definitive 2026 Biography of the Beckham Heiress