Mohamed Sheikh, Baron Sheikh
Mohamed Iltaf Sheikh, Baron Sheikh is chairman and executive of Camberford Law, a firm established in 1958 providing insurance broking and underwriting services.
He was made a life peer in 2006, and sits on the Conservative benches in the House of Lords. The life barony conferred upon Mohamed Iltaf Sheikh has been gazetted by the name, style and title of Baron Sheikh, of Cornhill in the City of London.
Early life
Sheikh was born in Kenya and brought up in Uganda. His parents originated from the sub-continent of India. Sheikh attended Government schools in Mbale (Uganda) where he attained the Cambridge Higher School Certificate. He is able to speak six languages, including several African and Asian languages.
Career
On arrival in the United Kingdom, Sheikh started his insurance career by joining the Sun Alliance Insurance Company in London. He attended the City of London College and Holborn College where he completed the Associateship of The Chartered Insurance Institute and subsequently passed the Fellowship of The Chartered Insurance Institute. Later he also attained the Financial Planning Certificate.
Sheikh is now the Chairman and Chief Executive of Camberford Law plc. The company has offices in Bromley as well as in The Royal Exchange in the City of London and writes insurance business nationwide. Over a period of three years Camberford Law plc were the winners, or highly recommended, on 13 insurance awards, including three of the most prestigious awards in the Insurance Industry. His firm has developed niche insurance expertise in the private security and cleaning industry sectors and is Lloyd's-listed broker.
Sheikh has been the President of the Insurance Institute of Croydon and a member of the National Council of the Chartered Insurance Institute. He was Regional Chairman of the British Insurance Brokers Association on two separate occasions and was a Director of the main board of the Association for four years. He has also held senior positions in other financial and insurance organisations.
For a period of 12 years Mohamed was a visiting lecturer at various colleges and polytechnics and in addition to lecturing he has also written educational material. He belongs to three Livery companies and is a Freeman of the City of London. He has written extensively on insurance subjects in various publications and he speaks at numerous meetings and conferences on business as well as leadership matters. In 2003 he was conferred the British Insurance Award for Commercial Lines Broker of the Year.
Charity
Sheikh founded and funds a registered charity, the Sheikh Abdullah Foundation, in his father’s memory. The charity amongst other things recognizes and rewards the attainment of young people who are the rising stars and hopefully will be the future leaders. It offers the Broker of the Year and Young Insurance Professional award and promotes other work in education.
Conservative Party
Sheikh became a life peer in 2006 after he was nominated by Michael Howard MP, then leader of the opposition. He is Chairman of the Conservative Muslim Forum and also the Chairman of the Conservative Ethnic Diversity Council.