Entrepreneur Zia Yusuf becomes chairman of UK's right-wing Reform party

Former banker was the party's largest donor during the general election campaign

Zia Yusuf, the Reform UK party's largest donor and new chairman. Reuters

Reform UK’s largest donor has been named as its new chairman in a leadership shake-up that aims to “professionalise” the party.

Zia Yusuf founded luxury concierge service app Velocity Black before selling it for £233 million last year, making around £31 million. He previously worked for Goldman Sachs in London.

He has vowed to bring expertise, energy and passion to the role, saying “this is just the beginning”.

Writing on X following the announcement, he praised Nigel_Farage's leadership, which he said helped the “people’s movement” win four million votes, 14 per cent of the vote, elected five MPs with 98 second places.

“This is just the beginning. The important work of professionalising the party, building national infrastructure and continuing to grow membership has already begun,” he said.

“I will bring all my expertise, energy and passion to the role to ensure we achieve our mission of returning Britain to greatness.”

Speaking to the BBC earlier this year, he said he believed the country had “lost control of our borders” and that the UK needed a “grown-up discussion about immigration without name-calling”.

Mr Yusuf, who describes himself as a British Muslim patriot and is a vocal supporter of Reform's immigration policy as well as being a party donor, is himself the child of immigrant parents, who moved to the UK from Sri Lanka legally in the 1980s.

In other Reform changes, Richard Tice moves from the role of chairman to become deputy leader, replacing Ben Habib, while Lee Anderson will become the chief whip.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage swears an oath of allegiance to King Charles III, in the House of Commons. PA

Mr Farage said: “These appointments are the first step to ensure that Reform UK is fit and ready to take forward its positive message.

“I have no doubt that we will professionalise the party and change politics for good.”

New deputy leader Mr Tice said he is “delighted” at Mr Yusuf's appointment.

He said: “We plan to expand our operation and infrastructure at pace from here, and having someone of Zia's experience and highly successful track record is fantastic news.”

Reform returned five MPs in last week's election but Mr Habib was one of the hundreds of unsuccessful candidates, finishing third in the Wellingborough and Rushden seat.

Writing on X, Mr Habib said: “I have just been informed by Nigel Farage that Richard Tice is taking over as deputy leader of the party.

“Consequently I no longer hold that position.

“I am considering my position more generally in light of this change.

“I have long held concerns about the control of the party and the decision making processes. I will reflect on all of this.”

Reform faced criticism over their election campaign due to racist comments made by their candidates, several of whom were dropped before polling day.

Mr Anderson, the MP for Ashfield, is the party's only returning MP after defecting to Reform from the Conservatives earlier this year.

He said: “Using my experience of the twists and turns of Parliamentary life and procedure to ensure that our team is focused and delivers for our constituency and the more than four million voters will be a great honour and pleasure.

“The fox is in the henhouse.”