Independent Director
Shimi Shah
Shimi has significantly impacted the global investing and venture capital landscape for over two decades. With a portfolio boasting over 50 successful investments in early and expansion-stage transactions, she has delivered superior returns for investors across Europe, the US, and the Middle East.
As the Executive Chairperson of Carousel Solutions Group Ltd, Shimi focuses on designing and building high-performance company boards for private equity, sovereign wealth funds, family offices and corporates globally. Over the past decade, she has spearheaded the implementation of over 30 boards, ensuring above-market qualitative and quantitative returns for shareholders. Her firm also conducts annual board audits and collaborates with SMEs on scale-up and growth strategies.
In 2020, Shimi launched NEDx, a venture offering board solutions and coaching. This initiative introduces innovative coaching methods to enhance board directors' effectiveness and implements processes for high-performance board development. Unique assessment tools enable stakeholders to measure board impact and ROI quantitatively and qualitatively.
Shimi's influence extends beyond her ventures through her roles as an active independent director and advisory board member. Notably, she chairs the Remuneration Committee for The Royal Mint in the UK, a 1,100-year-old world’s largest domestic and export mint. She was appointed Chairperson of Miratech, an IT services company, Chair of the leadership board at HaysMacintyre in the UK, and Independent Chair at Mauritius-based Impact Holdings. She has served in various advisory roles in various prestigious institutions and funds.
Committed to social impact, Shimi is involved in initiatives like the Pay It Forward Foundation and the establishment of the KawiSafi Ventures Fund. These efforts have empowered millions globally, aligning with her belief in the transformative potential of impact investing. Previously, Shimi managed substantial funds focussing on women in the GCC region at FORSA LLC.
She began her career in private equity and venture capital at 3i plc, investing in over 25 businesses, many of which achieved successful exits. Before that, she founded an international jewellery distribution business and worked in project finance at Citigroup.
Shimi holds a Master's degree in Management from Queens' College, Cambridge, and a 1st Class Hons degree in Management and Economics from King's College, London. She is an active member of the Young President's Organization (YPO). Shimi is of Indian origin, having been born and raised in Kenya.