Shaheer Hafeez ACA

Shaheer Hafeez ACA

Author: Host Sandra F November 9, 2024 Duration: 28:36

Shaheer Hafeez left university and started studying for his accountancy exams with a view to going into a career in audit.

But volunteering with the social enterprise Generation Success, and meeting its founder James Adeleke showed Shaheer just how far a can-do attitude can take you.

He shifted his focus to work in Environmental Social and Governance and climate risk, applied for a job with Big 4 consultancy firm KPMG and has risen to be a director.

Not only does Shaheer now head up a team advising companies about their own ESG and climate strategy, he also mentors social enterprises on scale up. Earlier this year Shaheer become a member of Generation Success's advisory board. The social enterprise empowers young professionals and drives the principles of social mobility, equality, and diversity.


At a panel discussion when he was asked ‘What truly defines a green job?’ Shaheer pointed out the complex nature of the answer, something he goes on to explain more about in the podcast.


Useful links

The ICAEW audit qualifications

Generation Success

St Mungos


KPMG careers


You might also like to listen to:

Lydia Carrington, sustainability manager, Edgbaston Stadium (S2 Ep 1)

Sanjukta Jitendhar, architect, Mikhail Riches (S1 Ep 9)

Sarah Daly, Climate champion and sustainability expert (S3 Ep 1)



About ProGRESS

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.

Instagram ProGRESS 

Content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: hello[at]mypro-gress.co.uk

Expect revelations, lightbulb moments and an informative listen on ProGRESS, with plenty of insights as guests explain how and why got into their Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially Responsible career or course (the GRESS of ProGRESS) with plenty of tips if you want to do the same.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Host Sandra F guides ProGRESS, a podcast built on conversations with people who have chosen to align their work with their principles. This isn't about generic career advice; it's a deep dive into the daily realities of building a life in green, ethical, and socially responsible fields. Each episode features a direct, unscripted talk with someone navigating this landscape-from sustainability consultants and environmental researchers to ethical entrepreneurs and conservationists. You'll also hear from voices shaping our world in less expected ways, including city planners, campaigners, architects, and even a philosopher or a comedian, all offering their unique perspective on what it means to work with purpose. The discussions are grounded in personal experience, covering the challenges, breakthroughs, and practical insights gained from their eclectic paths. Listening to this podcast feels like pulling up a chair to a candid coffee chat with someone who's actively building a career that matters to them, offering genuine inspiration and actionable understanding for anyone curious about where their own skills and values might intersect.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 56

ProGRESS
Podcast Episodes
Divya Kumar, Community engagement manager at Earthwatch Europe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:18
An absolute livewire, Divya Kumar is a community engagement manager for Earthwatch Europe, responsible for overseeing Tiny Forests around the UK. She aims to hit the 300 mark by the end of 2025 and now describes herself…
David Kohnstamm, Chief sustainability officer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:41
David Kohnstamm is a thermal engineer and the chief sustainability officer and co–founder of Leafcloud, which offers its clients a truly green alternative to energy-hungry traditional data centres. David is scathing abou…
Dr Mark Sumner, textiles programme lead at WRAP [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:35
Dr Mark Sumner was one of ProGRESS's earliest guests, so his 2025 return to the podcast to talk about the latest developments in his career feels like a seal of approval. Mark talks about leaving Leeds University's Schoo…
Justin Kelly CEO of Glass Futures, Chair of Sustainable Ventures [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:48
Business leader Justin Kelly stepped away from his C-suite role at the international engineering and technology company Siemens in 2022 and is now chief executive at Glass Futures, a not-for-profit tech membership organi…
Season 3 round-up: The lightbulb moment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:17
Season 3 round-up: The lightbulb moment Featuring all 11 guests, this end-of-season episode highlights guests' explanations of how, when and why they got into their career. For some, it was a natural progression from a c…
Beccy Dickson, co-founder of Branded Bio and eco entrepreneur, [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:51
In spite of business liquidation and a divorce, award-winning f:Entrepreneur Beccy Dickson and now ex-husband Macey Mitchell decided to remain business partners, founding Branded Bio, which supplies sustainable walls and…