Business As a Force for Good with Anwar Ali

2026-03-05

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Can business genuinely be a force for good, and if so, what does that actually require in practice?In this conversation, I’m joined by Anwar Ali OBE, CEO and co-founder of Upturn Enterprise. We explore what sustainable impact really looks like when you’re trying to balance commercial discipline with social purpose.Anwar shares how his upbringing shaped his values, from growing up in a family of ten in a three-bedroom house to leaving a successful private sector career to build a social enterprise rooted in opportunity and dignity.

Can business genuinely be a force for good, and if so, what does that actually require in practice?

In this conversation, I’m joined by Anwar Ali OBE, CEO and co-founder of Upturn Enterprise.

We explore what sustainable impact really looks like when you’re trying to balance commercial discipline with social purpose.

Anwar shares how his upbringing shaped his values, from growing up in a family of ten in a three-bedroom house to leaving a successful private sector career to build a social enterprise rooted in opportunity and dignity.

We talk about why social good must stack up commercially, what’s broken in procurement systems, and why passion alone is never enough. We also reflect on leadership in a divided society, the courage it takes to speak up, and what it means to be a visible role model for the next generation.

This is a conversation about responsibility, resilience, and believing that business can still be used as a tool for collective good.

Highlights:

(03:00) Growing up in a family of ten and the roots of purpose

(06:40) Leaving a global IT career to build a social enterprise

(12:30) Why social good must be commercially sustainable

(23:30) Immigration, belonging, and leadership in today’s climate

(44:15) Advice for purpose-driven entrepreneurs

Connect with Anwar:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anwar-ali-obe-6335811a/

Upturn Enterprise: https://www.upturn.org.uk/en/

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