Entrepreneur, educationist and philanthropist, Amir Fancy draws upon his experience of the past 25
years in working for and establishing successful business ventures in the Middle East and Pakistan. His
vision is simple – to continue and further build the dual legacy established by his grandparents. His late
paternal grandfather, Amirali Fancy, patriarch of the Fancy family (a well respected and successful
business family who had migrated from East Africa in order to set up industry, business and
philanthrophy in the newly born nation state of Pakistan) as well as from his maternal grandmother,
Nasra Wazir Ali (recipient of the Sitara e Imtiaz – third highest civilian meritorious award in recognition
for her lifelong service to education in Pakistan.) An entrepreneurial spirit inherited from both sides of
his lineage give him a unique advantage and a deep personal insight towards building organizations and institutions with a core focus to lead for the future.
As Chairman and CEO of the Fancy Group he manages businesses ranging from industrial management services and catering, to chemicals and schools in Pakistan. As Chairman of the Fancy Foundation established in 1960, he promotes and supports educational and health initiatives for the deserving and needy in Pakistan having recently established a first of its kind endowment for higher secondary education scholarships with the Aga Khan University.
As Managing Trustee of the Education Trust Nasra Schools, established as a not for profit trust in 1949, he manages a large chain of schools in the mid to low income areas of Karachi which currently provide good quality, low cost English medium education to approximately 11,000 deserving children. Working with Pakistan Bait ulMaal, he put together a program to educate 100 orphans at the Nasra Schools for their entire education right from pre-primary up to the Matric board level exams. He has partnered with various related stakeholders and organizations like Teach for Pakistan, Right to Play, Karachi Youth Initiative, British Council, iEarn and student exchange programs, The Asia Foundation, ISESCO, Pakistan Science Foundation, Pakistan Cricket Board, School of Leadership and Ilmka Safar among others, to create value and build momentum through regular programs such as professional trainings and creative development programs for the teaching and student communities.
With a strong foothold in building the not-for-profit Education Trust Nasra Schools (ETNS), Amir moved
on to found and manage a private venture along the same low cost model, the Nasra Public School (NPS), which was established in 2004 under the Patronage of Nasra Wazir Ali. As the CEO of NPS, he has lead the growth, development and execution of the company’s long term strategy and continues to be responsible for delivering on both NPS’s academic and financial goals. Bringing a powerful social flavor to entrepreneurship, at this stage he leads the venture for future expansion and growth in partnership with strategic investors like the Acumen Fund.
Amir is passionate about creating a social impact with a quest to grow, earn, learn and then give back. His various personal commitments to actively serving on several boards is a testimony to his personal
mandate. A member of the Rotary Club of Pakistan Sunset Millennium, Amir has served as its President
in 2009-2010 for which he was recognized with the Best President Award for the Pakistan and Afghan
region. Further, his club was voted the Best Club in Pakistan for their valuable contribution through their
innovative community outreach programs. He has the honor of being a highly recognized Paul Harris
Fellow in Rotary International as well.
He is also a founding member of the Relief Outreach Programme Trust (ROPE) which was very active in
their humanitarian relief efforts during the tragic earthquakes that shook Pakistan in 2010. In addition, he is a founding member of the recently established Victims’ Assistance Fund (VAF) that aims to build bridges by acting as a primary contact for the rehabilitation of terror related victims and their families. Currently, he also serves on the Advisory Board of IlmKa Safar ( a platform that supports teacher training initiatives)
As a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) Pakistan Gold Chapter and one of the founding members of YPO Capital Pakistan Chapter, Amir has also has served as on its Board as the Education Chair for Karachi. He is also a member of the Project Management Association (PMI) USA and a Charter Member of PMI Islamabad Chapter. He is an Oxford Business Alumni – having completed the Oxford University Social Finance, Impact Investing and Impact Measurement Programs at Said Business School. He is a Certified Director having completed the Director Training program and test by the SECP approved Pakistan Institute for Corporate Governance.
Amir is a patron of the Annual Shaukat Ali Fancy Memorial Tennis Championships at the prestigious Sind Club; A PADI certified open sea scuba diver and an avid James Bond and Godfather movie aficionado.
