Asif Aziz

Asif Aziz is a London-based billionaire entrepreneur, diversity advocate, and philanthropist.35 He is the Founder and CEO of Criterion Capital, an asset management company with a property portfolio of approximately £3.6 billion.45 Criterion Capital's holdings include iconic buildings in London's West End, such as the London Trocadero, the London Pavilion, and the Criterion Building.45 Aziz is also the founder of The Aziz Foundation, a charitable organization that empowers disadvantaged communities in Britain.1

Career: Born in Malawi in 1967, Aziz moved to London at the age of six.5 He acquired his first London property in the 1980s while still in school and graduated from the British American College London with a business baccalaureate.5 Aziz's early career included a stint at Morgan Grenfell Laurie, where he learned about the commercial property industry.5 He also had a job flipping burgers at McDonald’s.5 Aziz made his first property acquisition at age 16.5 In 1993, he moved back to Angola, where he established two food manufacturing businesses, including Golfrate Angola, which he later sold in 2005.5

In 2005, Aziz returned to the UK and founded Criterion Capital, which acquired the London Trocadero leisure complex, the London Pavilion, and The Criterion Building.5 Today, Criterion Capital is the largest landowner in the Leicester Square-Piccadilly Circus area.5 In 2020, the Trocadero entertainment complex was closed and reopened as the Zedwell Piccadilly, a hotel with 728 windowless rooms and a rooftop bar.5

The Aziz Foundation: Established in 2015, The Aziz Foundation is a family philanthropic foundation that empowers disadvantaged communities in Britain.13 It supports people and organizations that catalyze community empowerment, leadership development, and greater public engagement.1 The Foundation has awarded over 600 scholarships to British Muslims across more than 50 universities and has provided paid internships with prestigious partners.3 The Aziz Foundation also sponsors community initiatives, such as Europe’s first Ramadan and Eid lights in London’s West End and the Trafalgar Square Iftar.3 Since its inception, the organization has distributed nearly £2.3 million in grants.1

Recognition: Asif Aziz has received several accolades, including the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ PROPS Award and an honorary fellowship from Goldsmiths, University of London.23 He also received the ‘Tun Dr. Mahathir Bin Mohamad Leadership Award’.3

Controversies: Aziz has faced criticism for his business practices, including allegations of using companies registered in the Isle of Man to buy properties and redevelop them into more lucrative housing.5 In 2024, Criterion Capital faced public outcry and a "Save YMCA Club" campaign after the planned closure of the world's first YMCA, located on London's Great Russell Street.5 In early 2025, Aziz's property company, Zedwell LSQ Ltd (owned by Criterion Capital) was criticized by the Prince Charles Cinema, who stated that the company was demanding a significant raise in rent and a six-month break clause in the new lease.5