May 10, 2025

Zia Yusuf

14 minutes

Reform UK triumphed in May’s local elections, winning many more council seats up for grabs than the other major parties. Behind the scenes, the party has gone through major changes. Millionaire businessman and donor Zia Yusuf was appointed chairman last summer, and has been credited with professionalising the party. The son of Sri Lankan immigrants, he made his money co-founding a luxury concierge business, before moving into politics; and all before the age of 40.

But where do his ambitions lie beyond being chairman? And where does the future of the party lie beyond the central figure of Nigel Farage?

In this episode of Profile, Stephen Smith explores the life, career and journey of the man some say is responsible for Reform UK’s growing success.

Presenter: Stephen Smith

Producers: Lucy Pawle and Nik Sindle

Researcher: Gabriel May

Editor: Max Deveson

Sound: Gareth Jones

Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Archive:

‘Communication Problems’ - Fawlty Towers

BBC / writers: John Cleese and Connie Booth

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