Ashish Thakkar, the Dubai-based founder of Mara Group and Mara Foundation, has been named as the Chair of the UN Foundation’s Global Entrepreneurs Council (GEC).
The appointment makes him the first African entrepreneur to lead the council, and it is also the first time that the office of the Chair will be located outside the US.
The announcement was made on Sunday during a day of commemorations when Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General, marked the 70th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter in San Francisco.
Since founding Mara Group at the age of 15 in Uganda, Thakkar has grown it into a $1 billion multi-sector group with operations in 22 African countries and 11,000 staff on the books.
The 34-year old African, who originally hails from India, also founded Mara Foundation in 2009 to foster and support emerging entrepreneurs through mentorship and venture philanthropy.
The UN Foundation’s GEC is a strategic advisory board of high-profile entrepreneurs under the age of 45 who have committed to help in finding innovative solutions to global challenges.
Succeeding Elizabeth Gore, named by People magazine as one of the top 100 Extraordinary Women, who has become the council’s emeritus chair, Thakkar’s first task will be to promote goal number 8 on the UN’s list of Sustainable Development Goals – “inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.”
Speaking about Thakkar’s appointment, Rick Parnell, COO at the said UN Foundation, said: “Partnering with Ashish means the UN Foundation will benefit from his incredible experience as we work with entrepreneurs to bring new expertise to UN causes.
“Thakkar’s record speaks for itself: Mara Group employs more than 11,000 people across 22 countries working in sectors from financial services to technology.
“As we continue to expand UN Foundation projects with the entrepreneurial sector, Ashish’s expertise, connections, and leadership will enable us develop programs that truly improve lives around the world.”
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