Asif Musa

Managing Director of West London English School

business I had set up in a deprived area of Gloucester. I started out as an estate agent in Ealing before starting an accommodation agency helping international students find accommodation.

Who are you?

Asif Musa, Managing Director and founder of West London English School. I was born in Gloucester, but my family moved back to Nairobi Kenya until the coup in 1982, when my father sent me back to the UK on a plane at the age of seven, when Kenya became unsafe. The 1982 Kenyan coup d’état attempt was a failed attempt to overthrow President Daniel Arap Moi’s government.

Leaving my family at such a young age was difficult. However, we did reunite about a year later when my mother and two younger sisters came to the UK, with my father joining us a little later.

I dropped out of college and lost interest in education as a teenager, not realising its importance. My parents worked all hours of the day to ensure we had food on the table after moving to the UK. I started a small business, a sports retail shop through the Princes’ Trust, and then moved to London in 1997 for work and opportunity, after realising I had limited opportunities with the

I had an offer to get involved in marketing the West London Business College in 2005. From around 2012, the school’s EFL (English as a Foreign Language) side of the business started to decline as there were several immigration changes that affected the industry. After some marketing analysis, I worked out the need to have a more centrally located campus, and I advised the board to move the EFL campus to Ealing Broadway to attract students coming for much shorter courses. Ealing is an attractive place to market a cosmopolitan suburb with many good schools, parks and transport links, and it is very accessible to any potential clients who have migrated with family or for work, business or further studies.

The West London Business College continued to primarily focus on and invest in its Higher Education provision rather than EFL, and in 2014, due to continued issues with overseas students getting visas to come and study in the UK, the board decided to close the school and we were all given notice for redundancy. Against all advice, I believed in my vision for the provision of English Language Teaching in Ealing and in the team of teachers and staff I worked with. I approached a few of the teachers that I knew I could trust to build the business with, and one admin staff member. I offered to start a new company and take over the lease of the building and asked if they would be interested in working with me. They accepted, so in January 2015, the West London English School was was founded and is a proud member of the chamber.

What’s your business all

about?

Teaching English as a foreign language and helping our clients pass examinations required for work, business, and further studies.

Three words to describe yourself?

Ambitious, passionate, and generous

Ideal Customer?

One that trusts the process and advice given to by the advisors and academic team. Motivated, focused individuals who recognise that they need help in achieving their goals and objectives.

Biggest achievement?

My two wonderful sons for sure!

After starting the business in 2015, the same year I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I was told we may not be able to have children, and after years of trying we conceived a beautiful baby boy in 2019, followed by another boy in 2021. My other source of pride is what we have achieved at WLES, against all advice, due to a difficult environment for the industry, along with being diagnosed with cancer. Another achievement is surviving one of the biggest crises I have known for our business, caused by the pandemic. Today’s success, with 30 staff members and a turnover of £1.15 million in 2022, is nothing short of a miracle.

Biggest gripe?

All the injustice in the world, children without shelter, food, or water caused by unnecessary war.

Your inspiration?

My Mum and Dad and Ali Ibn Abu Talib who was the Prophet Mohamad’s nephew, a great warrior, philosopher, and humanitarian.

Philosophy in Business?

Having strong values: Honesty, Integrity, Transparency, Dedication, Belief. Creating opportunities for my staff and creating a great environment for them to prosper. My staff and team feel very much an important part of school and have a vested interest, having the students’ interest at heart and always doing their best. I have the philosophy that we can always do better and be better, starting from the top.

Sporting Hero?

I have a few, starting with Roy Keane, as a Manchester United fan. I also have huge respect for Ronaldo after seeing him achieve greatness through sheer hard work, determination, and belief. I could also mention Rafael Nadal, Muhammad Ali and Bruce Lee. To be honest, I could go on.

Biggest tip for success?

Vision, belief and trust in yourself, hard work, determination, honesty and trusting your staff. For me, faith and trust in God.