Zahid Mahmood

Based in Tripoli, Libya, Zahid oversees the UK's cultural soft power portfolio, working to build connection and trust through education, youth, and civil society. Projects include the Government funded TELLiL programme, strengthening teacher development across Libya, and Youth Connect, building future leaders through community action. Zahid graduated from Keele with a degree in Law and International Relations in 2010, followed by a Master’s in Human Rights, Globalisation and Justice in 2011.  

"Growing up in Stoke-on-Trent, with four siblings who had already graduated from Keele University, my path felt almost pre-written. Keele wasn’t just a university; it was part of my upbringing. Through school outreach programmes, summer schools, and the unforgettable overnight immersions, I became part of the “Keele Bubble” long before I officially enrolled. I walked its grounds countless times, knew Chancellor’s Building intimately, and even dared a few ghost hunts at Keele Hall. In many ways, I grew up at Keele. 

"But choosing what to study was less certain. I considered Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, though my heart was never in them. What truly drove me was a desire to create change, to uplift my local community, to empower young people, and to stand in solidarity with those facing injustice across the world. That calling led me to BA Law and International Relations. 

"At Keele, inspiration came not just from textbooks, but from people. Lecturers like Jane Krishnadas and Bulent Gokay ignited something deeper in me. They embodied the blend of intellect and activism I aspired to, showing me that knowledge could be a force for change. I even trained in TEFL, opening another pathway to make a difference through education. 

"Opportunities at Keele didn’t just shape my thinking, they reshaped my world. During my second year, I seized the chance to study abroad at Rhode University in South Africa. That experience was transformative, broadening my perspective and reinforcing my commitment to global engagement. While International Relations fuelled my passion, modules like Land Law confirmed where my future truly lay. 

"Beyond academia, I immersed myself in community impact. Through the ACES Project, I worked with local ethnic minority communities, supporting young people to realise their potential through mentoring, coaching, and education. I joined Model United Nations, built youth networks, and participated in international exchanges, laying the foundations for a career rooted in global connection and social change. 

"Then came a defining moment. On 21st July 2010, graduation day, I received an email that would shape the next chapter of my life. I had been offered a role as Project Manager- Youth with the British Council in Switzerland. At a time when opportunities in International Relations were scarce, this was more than a job, it was a gateway to purpose. 

"Sixteen years later, that journey continues. 

Zahid in his role with the British Council.

"Through the British Council, I have worked across more than 25 countries, delivering some of the UK Government’s most influential soft power programmes. I have engaged with global figures such as Bill Gates, Aung San Suu Kyi, and King Chales III. Yet, no matter how far I travel, I still return to Keele, for a quiet moment at the Chapel, a familiar walk across campus, or simply a cup of tea. 

"Today, as Director Libya and British Cultural Attaché, I lead the UK’s cultural relations work in a complex and rapidly changing environment. At its core, the British Council’s mission is simple yet profound: to build trust and understanding between the UK and the world. This is the essence of soft power, not influence through force, but through connection, education, and shared values. In Libya, this means supporting young people from marginalised communities to find purpose and opportunity. It means strengthening civil society and empowering its actors. It means investing in education, training teachers, improving systems, and opening doors. And through initiatives like Chevening Scholarships, it means nurturing the next generation of global leaders. 

"In an increasingly polarised world, soft power is not a luxury, it is essential. Cultural relations create space for dialogue where politics often cannot. They build bridges where divisions exist. They remind us of our shared humanity.

Zahid graduated from Keele with a degree in Law and International Relations in 2010, followed by a Master’s in Human Rights, Globalisation and Justice in 2011.

"And it all traces back to Keele. 

"Keele taught me to think differently, to challenge norms, to act with purpose, and to lead with humility. The “Keele Bubble” is real: the friendships I formed remain some of my strongest, and the mentors who guided me still inspire me today. I return each year for the Grand Iftar, and you’ll still find me during Freshers’ Week, collecting the free pens like I never left. 

"Keele is more than a university. It is a foundation, a community, and a lifelong home. 

"They say it all starts at Keele. I can say with certainty, it truly does."