1Can you explain your role in one sentence?I am the General Manager, Director and owner of Kings Medical Centre and Pharmacy on Edgware Road.

2How long have you been doing this job?I have owned and managed Kings Medical Centre for eight years now but first started working within the pharmaceutical industry back in 2007.

3 Did you find yourself in this role by accident or by design?By design. My educational background is in Medical Marketing. Whilst gaining my qualification I spent seven years working within the retail industry and I wanted to combine my passion for making people feel and look good.

4What is the best part about your job?Being able to help people for a living. Through my work I have a duty to look after and serve our patients which is a wonderful feeling. Our customers are largely made up from tourists visiting the area from all over the world and I have also been lucky enough to meet some very interesting people (including royalty). You never know who you are going to meet when working in Marble Arch.

5What’s the strangest thing that has ever happened to you in your jobThe COVID-19 pandemic has been a very surreal experience. We are a private medical centre and the decline of tourism has had a large impact on us like many other local businesses. From a personal perspective however, the pandemic has taught me to fully appreciate how privileged I am. It has been a real honour to support our community during this challenging time.

6What do you enjoy doing when you are not at work?I love to read, and I am big believer in continual self-development. I am currently reading a fantastic book called ‘The 48 Laws of Power’ which I highly recommend. I also spend a lot of my free time volunteering as an ‘Ambassador of Peace’ for the ‘World Peace Organisation’ where we lobby for human rights in several countries experiencing conflict around the globe.

7What do you like about this area?Marble Arch is very ‘glocal’. There is always a real buzz from the tourists but at the same time a real sense of community from all the people who live and work in the area. I think Edgware Road’s diversity is what makes it such an attractive place to be.

8Where’s your favourite place to go for lunch in the local area?Don’t judge me but I love a good burger. I am big fan of ‘The Pickled Hen’ and will often order their ‘Pickled Hen Burger’ for a quick lunch. It is amazing.

9Who is YOUR hero and what is it about them that inspires you?My late farther. He built his way up from nothing and obtained a PhD in Law. He was a diplomat and a Major General in our native Kurdistan and Iraq. I like to think I get my work ethic and drive from him.

10If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?I would love to visit India. There are some amazing wellness retreats which are meant to be great for the body and soul. However, if ever given the opportunity I would love to do a trek up to the Nepalese Mt Everest Base Camp. My childhood ambition has always been to fly the Kurdish Flag up at the top.