The Board

Alison Ahearn – Board Member

Alison is an academic teaching construction law and management at Imperial College London. She also develops space-themed learning to encourage children into science and engineering, with ProEdetal (“Professional Education et al”). 

Zamzam Ahmed – Board Member

Zamzam first moved to the U.K. as an international postgraduate student and is an alumni resident of Zebra Housing Association. She is a senior academic in higher education with a vast experience in teaching and mentoring international students. Zamzam sits on various academic and educational boards.

Rebecca Coxhead – Association Co-Chair

Rebecca has worked in social housing for over 7 years and specialises in governance having previously worked in the higher education sector in the UK and NZ.  Rebecca has experience in the charity sector through sitting on various boards throughout her career.

Paul Van Driessche – Association Co-Chair

Paul has been a supporter of Zebra for nearly 20 years and joined the Board in 2019 where he now serves as Co-Chair. He was a Visiting Researcher at Imperial College London, Centre for Environmental Policy, and is currently carrying out post-doctoral research in climate smart approaches to sustainable agriculture in the Maldives. Paul also serves as the British Honorary Consul to the Maldives and was made an MBE in this role in 2021.   

Naraindra Maharaj – Board Member and Member of Audit and Risk Committee

Naraindra’s association with Zebra is over 25 years. Firstly, as a tenant, when he and his wife were students and at the same time as a student Board Member. After student life he was elected as a Board Member and a few years later was elected Chair of the Board. After serving as Chair for a few years he resigned from Zebra due to personal reasons. He was recently elected as a Board Member again. He is a qualified Barrister and currently work as a Legal Advisor/Consultant to a few clients. 

Shahzad Zaveer- Treasurer, Chair of Audit and Risk Committee and Board Member

Shahzad has been a Board member since 2019 and currently the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee. He is an experienced finance professional with wide ranging experience in M&A, Financial Strategy, Operations and Planning, and who also brings a diverse  perspective having either worked or studied across North America, Europe, Middle East and Asia. Shahzad is currently a Finance Director with Avast and based in London, UK