Raaj Shamji, a native of the West Midlands, has maintained a profound commitment to unlocking the talents of the region and fostering growth across various national sectors, all while actively supporting the Conservative Party.With a senior role in higher education focused on local growth, Raaj has also been involved in key political campaigns, including working closely with Mayor Andy Street's outreach efforts and is currently Deputy Chair of his re-election in 2024. Additionally, he has maintained active engagement in the region's business community and is often invited to chair and organise major events related to business, culture, and education.
Raaj has valuable candidate experience, having stood in the 2019 General Election for Perry Barr and increased the vote. He is actively involved in driving connect calling and fundraising for the Conservative Party, including organising the popular West Midlands Conservative Curry Club, Masala Monday.
He was selected by the Party to trailblaze the National Volunteer Ambassador role and is now spearheading the nationwide expansion of elevating volunteer engagement through creativity. Raaj has also participated in hustings and conducted media interviews, showcasing his excellent communication skills.
Apart from his professional contributions, Raaj has also been actively involved in charitable initiatives. Raaj is a registered Toastmaster, giving his consultancy charge and delivery time for free for certain initiatives. In 2021, he collaborated with a local artist to create a monument that represents Birmingham as a vibrant city garnering support from people of all backgrounds. He has also worked with philanthropists to establish a purpose-built educational, community, and conference centre named in honour of Mahatma Gandhi.
As a chartered management accountant with an MBA from Aston's prestigious Business School, Raaj has also played a pivotal role in advising national initiatives aimed at building the management and leadership capacity of community groups in some of the UK's most vulnerable neighbourhoods through the University of Birmingham’s Cadbury Centre where he is an Honorary Fellow.
Raaj's unwavering dedication to the West Midlands and his active involvement in the Conservative Party, along with his contributions to various sectors and charitable initiatives, exemplify his commitment to making a positive contribution to society.
Raaj has been happily married for over 20 years and places a high value on family. He is the proud parent of three children and enjoys spending time with them whenever possible. In his free time, when he is not with his loved ones, Raaj indulges in his passion for attending rock concerts and working on his hobby of using a plasma metal cutter!!
