Prior to joining Cranfield, he held a principal lectureship at the University of Bedfordshire, where he played a major role in developing the business school’s graduate programmes portfolio. He was also instrumental in setting up the research agenda for the Centre for Women’s Enterprise, with a focus on the growth and development of women-owned enterprises in the UK, Pakistan, and other Asian and Islamic countries. His innovative research and capacity building pedagogies in the field of entrepreneurship have been recognised, acknowledged and appreciated globally. Some of his awards include: International Council for Small Business World Conference Best Papaer Award, 2015 ICSB/GIWE/IJGE/CWEL Best Paper Award, 2013 Emerald Literati Network Outstanding Reviewer Excellence Award, 2013 NCEE European Entrepreneurship Educators (3ep) Fellowship Award, 2012 Emerald Literati Network Highly Commended Paper Excellence Award, 2011 ICSB/NWBC/IJGE Best Paper Award on Women's Entrepreneurship, 2009 University of Bedfordshire Commitment Awards for 2008 and 2009 University of Bedfordshire Dean's Prize for Research, 2008-09 NCGE Entrepreneurship Educators Fellowship Award, 2008 Prowess UK Women's Enterprise Researcher of Year – 2008 (Finalist) Prowess & Lloyds TSB Innovator Award in Women's Enterprise Development, 2007 Government of the UK Research Scholar, 2005 University of London-Thomas Holloway Scholar, 2004 World Bank/Joint Japan Graduate Scholar, 2003 Reinhard Mohn Fellowship Award (Bertelsmann AG), 2002-03 Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) Fellowship Award, 2001