Omar Irshad, Marketing Communications Manager

I joined Al Rayan Bank in early 2013 after completing my MBA, where my thesis focused on the perception of Islamic banking in the UK. While that may suggest my journey was straightforward, the reality has been a little more complex.

I was working for Proctor and Gamble at home in Pakistan in 2009 as a Senior Category Planner, when the opportunity to work in the UK office came up. After much deliberation I decided to take the plunge as not only would it give me the opportunity for a new life, but also to fulfil my ambition of completing my MBA overseas.

This involved leaving a well-paid job and my support network in Pakistan to move to a country where I knew absolutely no one, and needed to find work to make ends meet and fund MBA. But I had belief in myself and so reasoned that it was a risk worth taking.

In 2013, I joined the Bank as a Community Marketing Manager, which gave me an opportunity to get out and build relationships in the community, which I really enjoyed. From there I became Marketing Events Manager which enabled me to build further skills. As the focus of the Bank changed, so did my role and in 2019 I became a Marketing Communications Manager, which is the post I hold today.

My role is customer communications focussed; a broad scope that flexes depending on business demands. I am responsible for the day-to-day management of the corporate website. All of our marketing collateral also falls within my remit, from design and production to distribution. I work on internal events and I was actively involved with the launch of our new offices in London and Birmingham.

I have many reasons to feel content and fulfilled at Al Rayan Bank. Firstly, I know that I am an integral part of my team. We’re small but dynamic – and we’re always jumping in to help each other. Secondly, the Bank is Sharia compliant and ethical, which aligns with my beliefs. Finally, it’s the people and culture that makes the Bank a special place to work. It really does feel like a family. 
In fact, one of the things I really like about working here is the open-door policy - I can drop in for a chat or pick up the phone to any of my colleagues, right up to Exec level. I know that the relationships I have made here will last forever. 

Today, I feel everyone working here is aligned with our values and truly working together as one TEAM. One clear sign of this in action is that you can ask anyone in the Bank for help and you will never get a “no, sorry”. 

I'm incredibly proud to work for an organisation that continues to grow and evolve in this way. Reflecting on my own personal journey, I’m grateful for the decision I took all those years ago to leave Pakistan and pursue this path.