Ajaz Ahmed, who founded AKQA in 1994 at the age of 21, has officially stepped down as CEO after 30 years. Under his leadership, AKQA quickly became the largest agency in the UK within just five years and gained international recognition, winning 83 Agency of the Year titles and over 1,700 awards for its client work. The agency also received the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise, acknowledging its remarkable innovation.
Ahmed is widely recognized for his ability to blend creativity with business expertise, establishing AKQA’s strong reputation for delivering technology-enabled solutions to some of the world’s top brands. His leadership was marked by a focus on creativity, quality, service, and innovative thinking.
Throughout his tenure, Ahmed authored three bestselling books: Velocity, Limitless, and Defeat. He also contributed articles to major publications, including The Guardian, The Sunday Times, Fast Company, and Forbes.
“Being part of AKQA’s team, serving our clients, and upholding our values over the last 30 years has been the greatest honor of my life. Establishing AKQA at a young age was the start of an incredible journey, and if fate allows, I look forward to another 30 years of meaningful contributions and making a difference. I’m genuinely excited about the adventures that lie ahead and the opportunity to pursue something new,” Ahmed shared.
In addition to his role at AKQA, Ahmed remains engaged with several prominent organizations. He is on the board of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Virgin Unite, founded by Sir Richard Branson, and Mission 44, established by Sir Lewis Hamilton.
According to a company statement, Ahmed’s departure signifies the end of an era for AKQA, but his legacy of creativity, innovation, and perseverance will always be a vital part of the organization’s culture.