MY LIFE IN NUMBERS
Ahmed Naqvi CA
Finance Manager, Bentley Motors
Pakistan-born Ahmed Naqvi CA loves music, cars and constant development. A diversity champion and CA Rising Stars Changemaker, he traces his journey from Islamabad to Nantwich, via Aberdeen and Manchester, and explains why he will never stop learning
MY LIFE IN NUMBERS
Ahmed Naqvi CA
Finance Manager, Bentley Motors
Pakistan-born Ahmed Naqvi CA loves music, cars and constant development. A diversity champion and CA Rising Stars Changemaker, he traces his journey from Islamabad to Nantwich, via Aberdeen and Manchester, and explains why he will never stop learning
25
I grew up in Islamabad. Although it’s the capital of Pakistan, it was a very small city when I was young. You could drive across it in 15 minutes. Everyone had family just down the road – that kind of place. Growing up, I would be out in the streets playing cricket or football most evenings. The city grew a lot in the 25 years I was there and the population is now more than a million.
25
I grew up in Islamabad. Although it’s the capital of Pakistan, it was a very small city when I was young. You could drive across it in 15 minutes. Everyone had family just down the road – that kind of place. Growing up, I would be out in the streets playing cricket or football most evenings. The city grew a lot in the 25 years I was there and the population is now more than a million.
14
I went to school at Froebel’s College in Islamabad. I was there from kindergarten to A levels – so 14 years in the same institution. Growing up, I was always fascinated by stock markets and how different businesses operate and I enjoyed watching movies like Inside Job, which is a documentary about the financial crash, Rogue Trader and Wall Street. They were lessons in what not to do, but they got me interested in trying to figure out how businesses and money work. So when I went to university, also in Islamabad, I chose to do a degree in accounting and finance.
Ewan McGregor as Barings Bank trader Nick Leeson in Rogue Trader
Ewan McGregor as Barings Bank trader Nick Leeson in Rogue Trader
2009
As I grew older, I got really interested in music. The scene in Islamabad was small, so every musician in the city knew every other musician. I picked up drums as my weapon of choice and when I went to university in 2009 I formed a band with three friends. We used to play alternative rock – taking inspiration from artists like Kings Of Leon, John Mayer, a bit of Linkin Park when we wanted to go up-tempo.
We did a lot of local gigs – there weren’t that many musicians locally – and sometimes we’d be invited to perform outside of Islamabad as well. We weren’t big, but that added to the charm. It was a self-funded passion for music, students travelling on public transport with a huge drum kit and guitars. We’d load up all our equipment, go somewhere, play and be back the next day.
14
I went to school at Froebel’s College in Islamabad. I was there from kindergarten to A levels – so 14 years in the same institution. Growing up, I was always fascinated by stock markets and how different businesses operate and I enjoyed watching movies like Inside Job, which is a documentary about the financial crash, Rogue Trader and Wall Street. They were lessons in what not to do, but they got me interested in trying to figure out how businesses and money work. So when I went to university, also in Islamabad, I chose to do a degree in accounting and finance.
Ewan McGregor as Barings Bank trader Nick Leeson in Rogue Trader
Ewan McGregor as Barings Bank trader Nick Leeson in Rogue Trader
2009
As I grew older, I got really interested in music. The scene in Islamabad was small, so every musician in the city knew every other musician. I picked up drums as my weapon of choice and when I went to university in 2009 I formed a band with three friends. We used to play alternative rock – taking inspiration from artists like Kings Of Leon, John Mayer, a bit of Linkin Park when we wanted to go up-tempo.
We did a lot of local gigs – there weren’t that many musicians locally – and sometimes we’d be invited to perform outside of Islamabad as well. We weren’t big, but that added to the charm. It was a self-funded passion for music, students travelling on public transport with a huge drum kit and guitars. We’d load up all our equipment, go somewhere, play and be back the next day.
3
After university I spent three years at Askari Bank, working in the corporate finance team. I worked my way up to being Relationship Manager for a portfolio of clients, extending financing to different businesses. But after three years I felt I wasn’t growing technically. So that’s when I came to the UK and did a post-grad degree.
3
After university I spent three years at Askari Bank, working in the corporate finance team. I worked my way up to being Relationship Manager for a portfolio of clients, extending financing to different businesses. But after three years I felt I wasn’t growing technically. So that’s when I came to the UK and did a post-grad degree.
2015
In 2015 I moved to the UK for a master’s at the University of Sheffield – again in accountancy and finance. After that I applied to PwC, but the Sheffield office was being merged with Leeds, where there were no openings. The only opportunity in England was in London, but I was brought up in a city that’s end-to-end 15 minutes, so that’s quite a contrast with London. So I applied to PwC in Aberdeen and moved there in 2017.
On joining PWC, I decided to go down the CA pathway. I was aware of the CA qualification’s value from talking to businesses there. Also that it’s a demanding pathway – but I wanted to test myself so I didn’t mind that.
2015
In 2015 I moved to the UK for a master’s at the University of Sheffield – again in accountancy and finance. After that I applied to PwC, but the Sheffield office was being merged with Leeds, where there were no openings. The only opportunity in England was in London, but I was brought up in a city that’s end-to-end 15 minutes, so that’s quite a contrast with London. So I applied to PwC in Aberdeen and moved there in 2017.
On joining PWC, I decided to go down the CA pathway. I was aware of the CA qualification’s value from talking to businesses there. Also that it’s a demanding pathway – but I wanted to test myself so I didn’t mind that.
2.5
I spent two-and-a-half years in Aberdeen, going up and down Scotland, doing audits and stock counts. I learned how to take a step back and get a picture of the flow, how something goes from input, process and output stages and ends up with the final consumer. So it was interesting and I stuck around.
We had non-audit jobs too. For example, the NHS has certain KPIs, where any patient dropped off in A&E has to be moved either to a bed or sent home in X number of minutes. They were trying to find efficiencies, so I was in the A&E with a stopwatch, timing each process. That gives you some perspective because what they do is a life-or-death matter, not just the number on a PowerPoint.
60
After Aberdeen I moved to the Manchester office and could see colleagues I worked with in Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, etc, might benefit from having a Muslim Network, like they had in London. So I discussed it with the London team, got together with like-minded colleagues and started a northern branch.
I was lead on community and collaboration. The focus was to bring together all colleagues, regardless of faith or ethnicity, to exchange ideas. It was hugely effective. The first events had fewer than 10 people, but over time it grew and there were about 60 at our last network social. We started holding events with other Big Four firms too. For two consecutive years I won awards for community and collaboration champion from the nationwide PwC Muslim network of about 1,200 members. So that was rewarding.
2.5
I spent two-and-a-half years in Aberdeen, going up and down Scotland, doing audits and stock counts. I learned how to take a step back and get a picture of the flow, how something goes from input, process and output stages and ends up with the final consumer. So it was interesting and I stuck around.
We had non-audit jobs too. For example, the NHS has certain KPIs, where any patient dropped off in A&E has to be moved either to a bed or sent home in X number of minutes. They were trying to find efficiencies, so I was in the A&E with a stopwatch, timing each process. That gives you some perspective because what they do is a life-or-death matter, not just the number on a PowerPoint.
60
After Aberdeen I moved to the Manchester office and could see colleagues I worked with in Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, etc, might benefit from having a Muslim Network, like they had in London. So I discussed it with the London team, got together with like-minded colleagues and started a northern branch.
I was lead on community and collaboration. The focus was to bring together all colleagues, regardless of faith or ethnicity, to exchange ideas. It was hugely effective. The first events had fewer than 10 people, but over time it grew and there were about 60 at our last network social. We started holding events with other Big Four firms too. For two consecutive years I won awards for community and collaboration champion from the nationwide PwC Muslim network of about 1,200 members. So that was rewarding.
8
A lot of people were joining the firm from overseas. I suggested supporting colleagues to make everyone feel welcome. So I took on the role of EDI Champion for the Manchester office. We did initiatives – Diwali and Eid celebrations, International Women’s Day, etc – but also ensuring the onboarding of overseas colleagues was done smoothly; things like opening a bank account, using the tram or downloading apps to order food. I’d recently been through a similar experience, moving to the UK from a foreign country, so in some ways I was better placed to help than someone for whom all that stuff is second nature.
I’m interested in the cultural aspects of office life – because that is where we spend eight hours a day.
8
A lot of people were joining the firm from overseas. I suggested supporting colleagues to make everyone feel welcome. So I took on the role of EDI Champion for the Manchester office. We did initiatives – Diwali and Eid celebrations, International Women’s Day, etc – but also ensuring the onboarding of overseas colleagues was done smoothly; things like opening a bank account, using the tram or downloading apps to order food. I’d recently been through a similar experience, moving to the UK from a foreign country, so in some ways I was better placed to help than someone for whom all that stuff is second nature.
I’m interested in the cultural aspects of office life – because that is where we spend eight hours a day.
2
I also volunteered for both mentoring and reverse mentoring at PwC. The mentoring programme was to encourage social mobility, so I was paired with someone from a disadvantaged background, who I’m happy to say now works for JP Morgan. The reverse mentoring paired a senior leader with a junior for regular open, one-to-one discussions on topics that aren’t always discussed, such as bias, cultural differences or racism. I was paired with two – one partner and one director. The senior leadership were keen to learn – this was years ago now, but one of them recently posted on LinkedIn about how useful it was.
2022
You’d hardly see any luxury cars when I was growing up in Islamabad, but I’ve always loved cars – the way they look, the sound, the power and everything. So I’d always kept an eye on opportunities in the sector. In 2022, I applied to Bentley Motors. I thought I wouldn’t get it but I’d still send my CV. When they called me for an interview I thought I won’t get the job, but it’s still an opportunity to go and see some really cool cars. A couple of days later, I was offered the role of Finance Manager.
2
I also volunteered for both mentoring and reverse mentoring at PwC. The mentoring programme was to encourage social mobility, so I was paired with someone from a disadvantaged background, who I’m happy to say now works for JP Morgan. The reverse mentoring paired a senior leader with a junior for regular open, one-to-one discussions on topics that aren’t always discussed, such as bias, cultural differences or racism. I was paired with two – one partner and one director. The senior leadership were keen to learn – this was years ago now, but one of them recently posted on LinkedIn about how useful it was.
2022
You’d hardly see any luxury cars when I was growing up in Islamabad, but I’ve always loved cars – the way they look, the sound, the power and everything. So I’d always kept an eye on opportunities in the sector. In 2022, I applied to Bentley Motors. I thought I wouldn’t get it but I’d still send my CV. When they called me for an interview I thought I won’t get the job, but it’s still an opportunity to go and see some really cool cars. A couple of days later, I was offered the role of Finance Manager.
4,000
One of the great things about Bentley is that anything and everything to do with the brand happens here in Crewe. There are about 4,000 people working here and we do anything from assembly and manufacturing cars, research, paint, marketing, HR, governance, legal, compliance – it’s all here on one site, which is perfect. I didn’t want to be in an office far away from the business. It’s a huge site. It takes 15 minutes just to walk from the car park to our office, but in those 15 minutes I’m marvelling at the different cars – a Bentayga with orange wheels and black body, or a Conti with pink interior leather with white rims.
4,000
One of the great things about Bentley is that anything and everything to do with the brand happens here in Crewe. There are about 4,000 people working here and we do anything from assembly and manufacturing cars, research, paint, marketing, HR, governance, legal, compliance – it’s all here on one site, which is perfect. I didn’t want to be in an office far away from the business. It’s a huge site. It takes 15 minutes just to walk from the car park to our office, but in those 15 minutes I’m marvelling at the different cars – a Bentayga with orange wheels and black body, or a Conti with pink interior leather with white rims.
18,000
I live in Nantwich, a short drive from the office. I was unsure about moving from Manchester which is a lively city. But Nantwich is a reminder of how life used to be in Islamabad. It’s small, about 18,000 people, and most people on the streets know each other. My wife was living in Milan before she moved here. She was nervous about this transition from the city to the quiet life, but she loves it even more than I do now.
18,000
I live in Nantwich, a short drive from the office. I was unsure about moving from Manchester which is a lively city. But Nantwich is a reminder of how life used to be in Islamabad. It’s small, about 18,000 people, and most people on the streets know each other. My wife was living in Milan before she moved here. She was nervous about this transition from the city to the quiet life, but she loves it even more than I do now.
2
I’m still actively involved in diversity and I support people here at Bentley through two different networks – BeUnited, which champions different cultures, and BeAccessible, which is for physical and mental health support. The first is similar to what I was doing at PwC – celebrating cultural and ethnic diversity. BeAccessible has separate workstreams for neurodiversity, for mental health, a men’s forum and one for physical health. Outside of the networks and my key role, part of my job is working with our governance, HR, production and planning teams to make sure we are reporting the right numbers for ESG reporting.
35
I was thrilled to be picked as one of the 35 CA Rising Stars in the Changemaker category. I wanted to get an indication of how I stand among my peers in the CA community. I’m a firm believer that being a CA is about more than technical excellence – just as a business is about more than the numbers, it’s about the people you work with. If everyone feels supported, feels that they belong and can be the best version of themselves, that’s when the numbers start working automatically.
2
I’m still actively involved in diversity and I support people here at Bentley through two different networks – BeUnited, which champions different cultures, and BeAccessible, which is for physical and mental health support. The first is similar to what I was doing at PwC – celebrating cultural and ethnic diversity. BeAccessible has separate workstreams for neurodiversity, for mental health, a men’s forum and one for physical health. Outside of the networks and my key role, part of my job is working with our governance, HR, production and planning teams to make sure we are reporting the right numbers for ESG reporting.
35
I was thrilled to be picked as one of the 35 CA Rising Stars in the Changemaker category. I wanted to get an indication of how I stand among my peers in the CA community. I’m a firm believer that being a CA is about more than technical excellence – just as a business is about more than the numbers, it’s about the people you work with. If everyone feels supported, feels that they belong and can be the best version of themselves, that’s when the numbers start working automatically.
3
A few years ago I read the book Atomic Habits by James Clear. It advocates positive stacking, incorporating small habits into your life to be more productive. If, for example, you hate going to the gym, but enjoy playing ping-pong or badminton, find a gym that has a badminton court or a ping-pong table. Then you’ll enjoy being there and start doing 10 minutes on the treadmill or whatever.
I try to build my own stack of interests and hobbies. I told myself I’d try something new every year. A few years ago I got into hiking and trekking. I did the three highest peaks – Scafell Pike, Snowden and Ben Nevis – as well as most of the Peak District and Yorkshire Dales.
3
A few years ago I read the book Atomic Habits by James Clear. It advocates positive stacking, incorporating small habits into your life to be more productive. If, for example, you hate going to the gym, but enjoy playing ping-pong or badminton, find a gym that has a badminton court or a ping-pong table. Then you’ll enjoy being there and start doing 10 minutes on the treadmill or whatever.
I try to build my own stack of interests and hobbies. I told myself I’d try something new every year. A few years ago I got into hiking and trekking. I did the three highest peaks – Scafell Pike, Snowden and Ben Nevis – as well as most of the Peak District and Yorkshire Dales.
12
I don’t play the drums anymore but this year I picked up an instrument, which I saw someone playing in the streets of Spain, called a hang drum. It’s about 12 inches in diameter and made from metal – and you play it with your hands, similar to tom-toms. So it’s more neighbour-friendly than the drums. Being a CA in a big business is a serious environment, but everyone has a creative side and if you don’t want to lose that, you need an outlet for it. I’m still practising, still learning.
12
I don’t play the drums anymore but this year I picked up an instrument, which I saw someone playing in the streets of Spain, called a hang drum. It’s about 12 inches in diameter and made from metal – and you play it with your hands, similar to tom-toms. So it’s more neighbour-friendly than the drums. Being a CA in a big business is a serious environment, but everyone has a creative side and if you don’t want to lose that, you need an outlet for it. I’m still practising, still learning.
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