Lord Sheikh made the keynote speech and presented awards at the EU Islamic Finance and Banking Summit Awards held at the Jumeirah Carlton Hotel. In his speech he mentioned the importance of London as an international finance centre of great importance and the fact that it is also vital in the expansion of Islamic finance in Europe. He also mentioned the fact that Islamic investments worldwide are now worth over $1.8 trillion and forecasted to grow to $2.5 trillion.

Lord Sheikh is the Co-Chair of the All Party Group for Islamic Finance and Diversity in Financial Matters and promotes London as a centre of excellence as the leading Western hub for Islamic finance.