Qasim Sheikh

Qasim Sheikh is a powerful voice for change, resilience, and inclusion in sport and beyond. A former Scottish cricketer turned respected speaker, podcaster, and mental health advocate, Qasim shares his story with honesty and passion, inspiring audiences across industries. His journey, marked by sporting success, personal hardship, and a courageous stand against racism in cricket, has led him to become a sought-after speaker on topics such as mental wellbeing, equity, and overcoming adversity.

Qasim’s professional cricket career saw him represent Scotland across various international stages, such as Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, earning 36 caps and scoring three first-class centuries. Notably, he became the first Scottish-born cricketer to score a first-class century in Pakistan. His willingness to speak up came to a head in 2022 when Qasim acted as a whistleblower in the Cricket Scotland investigation, which found the governing body to be institutionally racist. This revelation led to the resignation of the entire board.

Since then, he has become a prominent ambassador for Sporting Equals, championing inclusion, equity, and accountability in sport. He recently attended their Leaderboard Academy event as a keynote speaker, where he interviewed legendary gymnast Steve Frew. A compelling motivational speaker, Qasim has been open about his own mental health struggles as a result of redundancy, coronavirus, the breakdown of his marriage, and loss of access to his son. He suffered from depression and even contemplated suicide before finding a renewed sense of purpose through hosting Sheiky’s Podcast, drawing large audiences and fostering honest conversations around identity, performance, and wellbeing. He has since uploaded candid mental health journals, hosted a webinar to connect people on the Cricket Scotland Racism scandal, and interviewed numerous sports personnel, including 4x Olympian Donna Fraser OBE

His lived experience allows him to speak with rawness and authenticity, making his talks deeply relatable and inspiring. He spoke at the Stand Up to Racism summit, where he shared his journey in sport and the emotional toll of experiencing and speaking out against racism, highlighting the deep connection between discrimination and mental wellbeing. His ability to link personal experience with wider social issues enables him to speak powerfully and empathetically on mental health. Through his words, Qasim connects with people from all walks of life, helping them understand the importance of resilience, empathy, and the transformative role of sport. Whether addressing corporate audiences, sports teams, or community groups, Qasim leaves a lasting impact.