An architect of innovation

Graduating from Manchester Met in 1977 with a degree in architecture and self-confessed limited scientific knowledge, it wasn’t obvious Fasha Mahjoor would end up running an award-winning scientific company.

Speaking from his home in California, Mahjoor had a lot to reflect on after learning he is to receive an honorary doctorate from Manchester Met.

He described how “the lure of an entrepreneurial opportunity from an old high school friend” led him to the world of separations sciences, or more specifically chromatography – the analysis of the components of a mixture that are separated in laboratories based on their relative proportion.

Mahjoor grew his own company from a worth of $121,000 in its first year, to a very large, multimillion dollar corporation ranked amongst the best in the world.

More than 35 years later, Mahjoor’s scientific company Phenomenex, the worldwide leader in separations sciences consumables, is an awardwinning business with over 8,000 products, 1,000 employees, 16 global subsidiaries and 75 international partners serving over 100 countries.

Like so many business leaders across the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has seen Mahjoor drawing on over 35 years’ experience of leading his own companies to guide his business and employees through a challenging period.

“I always prefer to work in the office, seeing colleagues and not being forced to work at home,” said Mahjoor.

“The dilemma for businesses right now is the unknown about where and how we should be working in coming weeks and months. One thing is for sure, the working environment as we know it has been forever changed.”

Mahjoor is quick to point out that his experiences at Manchester Met have helped to shape his response to challenges and guide his company and colleagues over the years.

“My experience at university has definitely shaped the culture of my company,” he said.

“Playing in the University’s rugby team made me realise the strengths of working as a team, while working in the School of Architecture, with others in the same position as you, teaches you a great deal.

“To then have the opportunity, while I was in Manchester, to work for firms with amazing cultures – it has never left me and has proved so positive in my career.”

Mahjoor’s journey began in Persia but it was his mother who set him on his way to discover the world.

“My mother wanted me to learn a new way of life and culture,” Mahjoor explained, “So I came to the UK to study at The Royal Grammar School, Worcester, the second oldest school in Britain.

“Those five years in boarding school transformed me. I was sent to the UK to become a doctor like my grandfather and father, but I quickly realised that wasn’t for me and I decided to study architecture.

“I applied to several universities but when I came to Manchester Met for an interview, and after having a tour of the buildings and spending time in the city, I knew this was the place for me.”

While Manchester Met’s modern-day School of Architecture is a collaboration with The University of Manchester, bringing together over 100 experts in their architectural fields and more than 1000 students, Mahjoor attended the School when it was part of several colleges and institutions that made up Manchester Polytechnic.

“I remember every minute of my time there,” he said. “The course was incredible and one of the main reasons for this was that we had 15 months on placement to go into an office and work.”

Mahjoor attributes the fundamentals of his successful career to this experience, working with architecture company DH Design in Manchester’s historic Barton Arcade.

“The great thing about my work placement was that lots of alumni from Manchester Met worked there,” he said. “There was a great culture, and I am still very close to two of my bosses and friends I made there and at university.”

Mahjoor’s strong bond with Manchester, and to the University, is obvious and he recalls with great pride how his academic and personal life in the city set him on the path to success.

“The teachers and professors were great to work with and the practical parts of the course were really interesting,” he said.

“Student life was fantastic and on my last visit to Manchester I actually took one and a half days to do a tour of the University and where I used to live and work. It was staggering to witness how much Manchester Met has progressed, with amazing facilities, magnificent curricula and teaching staff – all world class indeed.

“It has become a part of me – Manchester Met is very close to my heart.”

This close connection to Manchester and the University was felt even more when Mahjoor was offered an honorary degree in science from Manchester Met in 2021.

“I couldn’t believe it when I received an email from the Vice-Chancellor,” said Mahjoor. “It’s an incredible honour.

“Since the direction of my career changed from architecture to science, I could never have imagined I’d be where I am now. Here’s the kid who failed biology and science in school with an honorary degree in science.

“I have been very lucky to receive many accolades in my career, but this is tops them all.”

Having experienced a lifetime of different cultures, places, and business practices, it is not surprising that Mahjoor has some valuable advice to pass on to future generations of Manchester Met students.

“Pursue what you really like and set an incredibly high standard for yourself,” he said. “That high standard doesn’t mean that you have to be the best in the world, but it has to be enough to make you stand out above the average.

“Whatever your passion is I would say it is important to explore and take courses in other fields. For example, if you’re studying mathematics, take courses in graphic design. It is astonishing how expanding your capabilities assists you later in your career.”

It is this expansion of capabilities, with calculated risks and simple innovations that have been key to Mahjoor’s success – a success underpinned by his experiences in Manchester, leaving footsteps he is keen to see others follow.