Founder of Criterion Capital and the Aziz Foundation

1. Asif Aziz Asif Aziz is the founder and CEO of Criterion Capital Limited, a London based property management platform with c. £3.5 Billion AUM (assets under management). The business comprises 3 activities: COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT PROPERTY 21 properties that include some of London’s most iconic buildings. CENTRAL LONDON HOTELS 7 operating hotels totalling 2048 rooms. 2 hotels totalling 650 rooms in planning & design stage. His vision is to build and operate 10,000 hotel rooms in London by 2030. RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT 1,367 flats in eight buildings let to key workers at below market rent. 3,247 flats in a committed development pipeline. His vision is to build for rental 15,000 flats in London by 2030. Asif is also chair of trustees of the Aziz Foundation; a charity that supports education for underprivileged and disadvantaged communities across Britain. Business History In 1986, whilst still studying, Asif established his first property company in London to make small commercial investments. After completing his studies Asif worked at Morgan Grenfell Laurie as a real estate advisor, during which time his business experience and his private property investments grew. In 1995, Asif returned to his family’s trading roots in Africa and saw an opportunity in Angola to establish a wholesaling and manufacturing consumer goods business. The business grew rapidly into one of the country’s largest “fast moving consumer goods” operations with 30 cash and carry warehouses focused on food and personal care products under exclusive manufacturing and distribution agreements with Nestle, Kraft and Unilever. Whilst in Africa, Asif continued to invest in London commercial property and after ten years, sold the Angolan business to return to London to focus on Central London commercial real estate and in doing so, created Criterion Capital Ltd. Since returning to London, Asif has expanded his portfolio and successfully entered two new business sectors. Hospitality and private residential accommodation. Creativity, Vision & The Private Residential Sector Asif is known for his creative mind. Continuously aware of the changing London landscape, Asif continues to innovate, looking for real estate opportunity that when added to the Criterion portfolio not only benefits its local area, but also, the London economy. Acknowledging the struggle for many Londoners to invest in property of their own in and around the capital, in 2010, Asif began to explore the private residential sector and how he could help various local communities through developing private rented accommodation in areas of London that needed them the most at cheaper rents that tenants could afford. This allowed them not only to live comfortably, but also continue to save. To achieve his objective, Asif adopted a ‘no frills’ approach to developing. Adding more property for development to the portfolio, Asif focused his efforts on creating flats that delivered the basics well. Building

2. Asif Aziz cleverly designed, modern flats that gave tenants the key home essentials that were important to them. Clean, safe and secure living spaces. Today, with the portfolio increasing, the private residential arm of the business is now eight properties strong, and continues to go from strength to strength, with each building having its own onsite management team. Hospitality & The London Trocadero Asif’s challenge the norm attitude and thinking well and truly outside the box approach has enabled him to create some of the capitals most unique hotel brand’s in the last decade. The most recent, Zedwell Piccadilly – a 700 plus bedroom hotel designed for wellbeing in the heart of the West End is housed in one of London’s most iconic buildings. The London Trocadero. Added to the Criterion portfolio back in 2005, The London Trocadero was regarded as a down at heel tourist destination. With many spaces within the building vacated, it was seen as an unloved asset. Something which Asif wanted to change. A combination of four buildings in one, the Grade II listed Trocadero certainly presented its challenges. Its unique internal shape required meticulous thought of how to use the space effectively. Whilst its size alone made it one of the largest buildings in the West End. To give the Trocadero a second chance, a big idea was needed. What was clear was that its Piccadilly Circus location, one of London’s most popular tourist hotspots suggested that this new creation should focus on being a space that not only Londoners could enjoy, but tourists too. With few windows and an incredible amount of inside space, this new concept for the Trocadero had to embrace very little or no light. Following a thorough amount of research, planning and years of development, Asif has successfully transformed the London Trocadero into a destination that puts it well and truly back on the map. In addition to a new hotel, the Trocadero is also now home to new food outlets, leisure experiences and will soon be home to one of Europe’s largest rooftop bar and restaurants with 360-degree views of the capital. Charity As well as a number of personal charitable interests (as listed below under ‘personal’), in 2015 Asif created the Aziz Foundation; a charity that supports education for underprivileged and disadvantaged communities across Britain. Since its inception, the Aziz Foundation is proud to have supported nearly 400 individuals across the United Kingdom and continues to move forward in helping secure improved futures for many. Video testimonials from those who have been helped by the Aziz Foundation can be found here https://vimeo.com/266350442/8faeb0afc5 As well as personal and financial support, the Aziz Foundation also works to nurture its online community. The Pen, a digital platform and online space has been created for talented and passionate British Muslims awarded with postgraduate scholarships and bursaries by the Aziz Foundation to share their academic and community insights, ideas for changing the world and showcasing the spectrum of British Muslim thought and identity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Aziz Foundation is extremely proud to recognise some of those that are supported by the charity who are either in key worker positions (medics and teachers) or those who are working in positions of support including counselling, community/relief work as well as medical, social and policy research. The latest news from the Aziz Foundation can be found using the following link http://azizfoundation.org.uk/latest-news/

3. Asif Aziz Comments of thanks to the Aziz Foundation can be seen across their twitter profile - https://twitter.com/azizfndn Business Today Asif has become one of London’s leading property entrepreneurs and has developed a deep understanding of the London retail real estate market. His involvement in the different sectors of property allows him to share his creativity with those who both live in the capital and visit it. His skill is in creating value through active ‘hands on’ asset management. Getting fully enveloped in his projects is his style and has enabled him to build a portfolio of more than 21 buildings across the commercial, private residential and hospitality spaces. The portfolio under management has grown to c. £3.5 Billion today and includes some of London’s most iconic buildings in the West End area including the London Trocadero, Pavilion and Criterion Building. With more projects underway, Asif’s focus remains firmly fixed on continuing to help enhance the city that he loves for both those that live here and those who come to visit. Personal As well as his long-term partner, Darija Aziz works with Asif to support him on various projects, helping to shape the look, feel and design of many building interiors. A devoted family man, Asif has also devoted his time to numerous charity interests throughout his career and has supported: Asif has a number of charitable interests including supporting: • The Mosaic Community Trust: to promote community cohesion and religious harmony by increasing mutual understanding, respect and trust amongst people of different faiths and beliefs. http://www.mosaiccommunitytrust.org.uk/ • The Thokomala Project: looks after orphans from the AIDS epidemic in South Africa. http://www.thokomala.org.za/news.aspx?id=24 • Seeing is believing: a cause to help sight restorations as well as helping to prevent other causes of preventable blindness. http://www.seeingisbelieving.org.uk/ • Camfed: an international organisation dedicated to eradicating poverty in Africa through the education of girls and the empowerment of young women. http://uk.camfed.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home_index&cvridirect=true • The Olive Tree: scholarship scheme aims to support outstanding young Palestinians and Israelis during their degree studies. http://www.mbifoundation.com/projects/the-olive-tree-educational-trust • The Next Step Diversity Mark: generating and supporting diversity at all levels. http://www.thenextstepuk.org/diversity%20mark%20page.htm