Alia Ullah

As Chief Communications and People Officer at MBS Global Investments, I lead the organisation’s integrated strategy across communications, marketing, public relations, and human capital. My role unites brand leadership and people strategy — ensuring that our internal culture and external presence reflect the same values of excellence, innovation, and integrity. I oversee all aspects of corporate communications, brand positioning, and stakeholder engagement while driving talent development, organisational culture, and leadership growth. By aligning people and purpose with strategic communication, I aim to strengthen our reputation as a trusted global investment firm and an employer of choice. Through creative storytelling, strategic partnerships, and a people-first approach, my goal is to cultivate a culture of impact — one that empowers teams, builds trust with global stakeholders, and amplifies MBS Global Investments’ influence across markets.

Arabic for art house, Bayt Al Fann is driven by a vision of a vibrant and thriving future for Islamic art, heritage, and culture. We launched the project in November 2021, with the dream to create a global home where artists, creatives, and communities come together and co-create the future of this timeless art. I am responsible for driving the vision and mission of the organisation through growing our creative community and partnership working. At Bayt Al Fann, we welcome everyone, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, to explore the past, present and future of Islamic art, culture and heritage together. We are grateful to the artists, creatives and thinkers who help shape our work.

• Head of Marketing and Communications at Manchester Museum. Responsible for creating and implementing strategies around press and media and audience development. • Creating digital communications strategy and leading social media campaigns, managing all social media accounts • Working across departments to market and promote exhibitions, events and Manchester Museum’s collection. • Organising key events and developing networks and partnerships. • Leading the multilingual campaign for Manchester Museum’s £13.5 million transformation hello future, to become more inclusive, imaginative and relevant to the diverse communities it serves. I presented The Chat Show broadcast on YouTube which tells the stories of the South Asian diaspora in Manchester in order to raise awareness of the museum’s future South Asia Gallery.

• Supporting the third sector across Greater Manchester through implementing good practice in community development. • Leading communications, digital strategy and marketing

My dissertation was published in an edited volume titled Unquiet Pasts.