The IBBC Young Executives Network hosted an event in partnership with Zaha Hadid Architects on the life and work of the late Dame Zaha Hadid and Zaha Hadid Architects at their offices in London on 15 May.

Sammy Sharifi and Dunya Shamkhi, Chairpersons of the Young Executive Network welcomed guests to the event. Charles Walker, Director of Zaha Hadid Architects, then gave a brief introduction, followed by a presentation by Lead Architect Hussam Chakouf on the company’s global projects, including preliminary designs for the Iraqi Parliament and Headquarters of the National Bank of Iraq.

Dunya Shamkhi, Architect and Chair of YEN, opening address:

“Thank you to Zaha Hadid architects for inviting us here today and thank you all for joining us.

Being Iraqi myself, and in the architectural profession, it is really difficult to find the words to explain our appreciation for the late Zaha Hadid.

Zaha has brought great honour to Iraq; wherever her name travelled, her country followed. She is an esteemed role model who has become a pioneer in the architecture profession and a symbol of innovation to the whole world.

Zaha Hadid’s influence and contributions have reached nations but most importantly, she was a light of achievement when Iraq was buried in the dark. An umbrella of accomplishment for aspiring Iraqis when they needed it the most.

As a young Iraqi myself, I sought to understand her when I was studying architecture, went the AA in aims to follow her and now with all of you here today at an event by Zaha Hadid Architects and IBBC YEN, maybe we can all learn to move a brick towards the pyramid she built for Iraq and the rest of the world. Thank you.”

The IBBC Young Executives Network is a platform committed to strengthening and maintaining the longstanding relationship between Iraq and Britain by bringing together the ideas and expertise of subject matter experts, IBBC members and young professionals in the UK, Iraq and internationally. It is a diverse and pluralistic platform created to foster collaboration, encourage discourse and support the development of connections within the business, academic and cultural ecosystem of Iraq.

If you are interested in joining the Young Executives Network, please email [email protected] for more information.