Shazia Hussain is best known as a candidate on the hit BBC One show 'The Apprentice' and as a TEDx speaker. She is the Director of Enterprise Developer Group, a string of businesses including a tech recruitment and diversity consultancy, Gourmet Mithai, and the sports initiative Women in Tennis. As a neurodivergent woman diagnosed with ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and a memory condition, Shazia uses her platform to empower other neurodivergent individuals to embrace their differences, showing that what makes them unique is what makes them exceptional.
Shazia speaks on topics including women in business, neurodiversity, subverting gender and colour stereotypes, mental health, building inclusive teams, and delivering corporate unconscious bias training. In her TEDx work, she explores how AI can become an unexpected ally for women with ADHD, helping them manage daily life, overcome burnout, and harness their unique strengths to thrive professionally and personally.
Shazia earned her BA in Media and Communication from Goldsmiths, University of London. She began her career as a Technology Sales and Recruitment Specialist at a tech start-up before founding Enterprise Developer Group at age 27. She later joined Accenture UK as Lead Talent Acquisition Consultant, followed by senior recruitment roles at Barclays, JP Morgan Chase, Bupa, Canon and Pladis Global, where she focuses on building inclusive teams while also managing her business ventures.
Named a Tech Women 100 Champion of 2023, Shazia has extensive experience in matching candidates to their ideal roles and helping organisations cultivate diverse, high-performing teams. She travels nationwide to inspire neurodivergent individuals, demonstrating how to harness their uniqueness as an asset in both corporate and entrepreneurial worlds.
Shazia Hussain's official speaker topics include:
- DEI & Inclusion Strategies
- Neurodiversity: ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia
- AI as an Ally for Women with ADHD
- Women in Business & Leadership
- Intersectionality, Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Subverting Gender and Colour Stereotypes
Official Feedback from In-person & Virtual Events
"Shazia was a great speaker. We had good attendance and engagement. The feedback we have received has been that the people found her talk informative and has helped them feel less alone with their own struggles. Other comments include that she was a brilliant speaker that people could relate to. We also had this comment: ‘It enabled me to bring recent research to life through Shazia's lived experience. I am currently working on a presentation in relation to a CMDA and there were some valuable takeaway concepts from today's meeting. It also provided a safe space for self-reflection having encountered similar traits over recent years, to know I'm not alone in brain fog and poor verbal articulation is reassuring'." - Catherine, People Potential Support Officer - People Potential Team HR, Organisation Capability, HMCTS
"Shazia headhunted me for BHF. I have worked with her for several years and have seen her work in a discrete way where relationships are paramount with both clients and candidates.
She has a very good understanding of the technical and non-technical requirements of the roles she deals with and on all occasions involves cutting-edge skills. The excellent trusted relationships she holds with the hiring managers and the enthusiasm with which she supports the candidate through the recruitment process is highly commendable. I would definitely work with her again and would have no hesitation recommending her to anyone who is seeking a new opportunity and wants a discrete and confidential process." - Abhijit, Senior IT Analyst at Arup
"Not all recruitment companies are the same. Some fail to understand the requirements of the client or understand the candidate. Not so with EDG, where Shazia, my contact at EDG, reached out to me for my role at The Telegraph Group, and proved her ability to match client to candidate in a unique, professional way. She actively uses her network to find the best match for clients and candidates. I certainly recommend EDG and Shazia personally." - Alasdair, Senior Solution and Enterprise Architect
"I had the pleasure of working with EDG during my time at the Telegraph Media Group. I found Shazia to be a great relationship manager with a wealth of experience in her field. A pleasure to work would highly recommend." - Susan, Owner & Managing Director, Tecsavvy Consulting
"Shazia is one of a kind. Over the 5 years I have known her, since she placed me at Telegraph Media Group, Shazia has always been razor-sharp and an empathetic listener. She is a pioneer, leader and problem solver who knows how to put the right people together, utilising her large, loyal network.
She is able to make great placements by taking the time to really understand role requirements and company culture, as well as the skills and aspirations of her specialists. Shazia ensures her applicants are thoroughly prepared for interviews because she fully understands what the hiring manager is looking for.
Overall, Shazia is a very personable, consummate professional who fosters an open and honest recruitment process and I would recommend her to anyone in digital seeking new opportunities or carefully selected specialists." - Barry, Principal Consultant, PA Consulting
- 2023 - Named TechWomen100 Champion Winner
- 2023 - Candidate on The Apprentice
- 2022 - Senior Specialist Recruiter, Bupa
- 2022 - Lead UX/CX Recruiter, Chase
- 2021 - Talent Acquisition Specialist, Barclays
- 2019 - Project Manager, Barclays Investment Bank
- 2016 - Lead Talent Acquisition Consultant, Accenture UK
- 2008 - Tech Recruiter, Enterprise Developer Group
How to hire Shazia Hussain
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Shazia Hussain for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
