Shahzad Ali
Entrepreneur in London
Born in Karachi. First job was in my father’s pharmacy. First business was a Tuc Shop. Left school early. Built and sold computers. Installed satellite systems for Dow Jones Telerate. Completed my Microsoft Certification (MCSE). Taught ICT to kids and senior citizens.
Moved to the UK to do an MSc in Information Security. Couldn’t afford to finish. Didn’t have a place to live. Ran out of money. Hit rock bottom. Found a job as a security guard with Securicor (now G4S). That changed everything.
Tried. Failed. Tried again. Temprovide. YapJobs. Got scammed. Got cheated. Still kept building.
Then built Get Licensed — now the UK’s largest security training and staffing platform. 400,000+ trained. 250+ employees. Full-stack product ecosystem:
→ Get Licensed (Training)
→ GuardPass (Job Placement)
→ GuardCheck (BS7858 Screening)
→ GuardSkills (Microlearning – in build)
→ GuardFlex (On-Demand Staffing)
→ eCert Training (Health & Social Care + AI verticals)
→ Get Driving (Driver training & licensing services)
What I'm Building
I’m passionate about the security industry.
I’ve lived it — and I’m constantly thinking about how tech can make it better.
Under GuardLab, we’re reimagining frontline work: better training, faster checks, smarter learning, on-demand roles, real-time communication.
How I Think
I was raised to see service as opportunity. That still shapes how I lead.
When I arrived in the UK, I had nothing. No income. No housing. I started over — with dignity and grit. That still drives me.
After hitting £1M turnover in year one of Get Licensed, I knew: we weren’t just solving a problem — we were building infrastructure.
My belief is simple: do good work. The work is the reward.
Now
I live between London, Dubai, Karachi, and Ibiza. I generate ideas, build systems, and invest in founders solving real problems.
I’m deep into AI, biohacking, and longevity — expanding what’s possible, inside and out.
When not working: reading philosophy, training MMA, DJing, or teaching.
I wake up with purpose. I have a mission:
Make our world a safer place.
I’ll never finish it. That’s the point.
Playing the long game — with a sharp mind, a warm heart, and clean hands.
Boards, Networks & Investing
Angel Investor in early-stage tech and workforce ventures
Served on the Conservative Party's GovTech Alliance