A year of new beginnings...

At the start of 2022 I was told, ‘you’ve made it all about yourself’ and the words could have not felt more alien to me. Over the last few years, I think we’ve all faced and experienced some kind of challenge, to some degree and I’ve been no different, but I? That has never, nor will be a core value of mine.

That was a divine facilitated moment when I realised and had to accept that I had let a lot of outgrown people and opportunities surround me. I was pushed into taking responsibility for my choice of being stuck in a deep comfort zone. Not being brave enough to let go. A big wake up call.

A major evaluation was needed about where I was, who I wanted around me and what I needed! And more importantly, where I wanted to go, God willing. Priorities evolve and we have to adapt to life, but in slowing down, comfort grows. And that’s where complacency can creep in. And that is not a Zeba Qureshi value. To find a way back to myself, an overhaul of everything was needed pronto!?

Where your mindset is, is what you will entertain, attract and keep around you. As that person’s word rang through my head, that’s exactly what I did for the first time in my life. Invest in ME like I have never done before. I did make it about myself. Took accountability. Personally and professionally. It changed my life, for the better, in such intangible ways.

My career has always been something I have proactively aligned with what I felt my purpose was. As a little girl, after being on a Blue Peter show, I said to my Dad on my drive home, I’ll come back and work here one day Dad and he replied, “Of course, why not - work hard and you can work here too”. That is my Dad! Always empowering me in everything, yet I never thought about that moment again to be honest. I’ve always wanted to do many things in my life! Many work experiences later, I still stand by that I would be an amazing pilot ?? but yes, I did end up coming back and it changed my life.

Working at the BBC for BBC News, World News, and BBC World Service has been a transformative experience of my life. The people I met, the opportunities and experiences, it's given me, within New Broadcasting House and beyond. I can't be more grateful. However, after joining as a fresh graduate, I have made a bittersweet decision to part ways and move on.

When I first started, I felt overwhelmed. But with the right circle, support and guidance, I created a vision and worked hard to make it a reality. Yet, God empowered me to exceed all those expectations.?

The work I witnessed, global historic moments I got to experience firsthand, impactful work I got an opportunity to deliver, events produced all over the globe, the people I worked day in and day out with over the years across News, will have a lifelong intangible impact on me and my life. I joined as a young, naive kid, with one one mission: learning as much as I can so one day leave a long lasting impact on the world and pay it forward to anyone I could help in any way. To embody my grandad's, my hero's teaching, 'do good and throw it in the sea'. To help serve humanity in any way you can.

To all those who I crossed paths with, thank you. To my colleagues - some of the best in the business by a mile. I’m humbled to have shared my journey with you all.?

To my long standing managers, Muriel & Ayesha - THE most inspirational, trailblazing women in the game - my rock, constants, through some the hardest times in my personal and professional career.?

You will forever be people who shaped me and my career! Thank you for investing in me when I didn’t even know how I was going to shape my passion and skills. Or even what they were at first! You helped me become a better person. For all those inspiring boss women, you can have it all!?

And of course, Simon -? BBC World Service Business Development runs as a close knit family not a team. And your exemplary leadership is a great testament to the BBC.?

2022 - to the lowest of lows, to the highest of highs. Out with the retired, space for the new. One small step, consistently, will change your life.?

I’ll sign off by saying, you never need to worry where you are or where you’re headed. My solace is my faith. Find yours and hold on to it. Whatever it is. There is no substitute for hard work: your dreams need a vision. Create it and support it with all the courage you have. Invest in yourself with the belief you can change the world. And work your bloody hardest to make it a reality. If you don’t believe it, who will??

Here is to be that empowering force that gives everyone around her the confidence so that anything is truly possible.

2023 - retiring the, “I want to take over the world”. We’re here to do it now, God willing! A heart full of gratitude for these undeserved blessings.

It's okay to fall down and lose your spark sometimes. Just make sure when you get back up, you rise as the whole damn flame.

For the last time, I'm outta here ??????

Let’s go.. Bismillah?