Luxury cars and an extravagant lifestyle have catapulted YouTuber Lord Aleem into the limelight. His passion for high-end automobiles, frequently displayed on his social media platforms, has garnered him a legion of followers. But behind the scenes, it’s his family’s prosperous business, Platinum Executive Travel, that fuels the glamorous digital content. Lord Aleem’s father, who remains a somewhat enigmatic figure, is the driving force behind this thriving enterprise.
Lord Aleem’s parents, Saleem Iqbal and Ashifa Saleem, are the power couple behind the luxury car business. Saleem Iqbal, a Pakistani immigrant who arrived in the UK in the 1980s, initially made his living as a taxi driver. Sensing a business opportunity in the demand for high-class chauffeur services, he founded Platinum Executive Travel in October 2006. The company, based on Coventry Road, boasts a fleet of luxury vehicles from prestigious brands such as Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Bentley.
Iqbal’s business acumen extends beyond the world of automobiles. He has established a successful portfolio of properties and businesses in Birmingham and Solihull. Together with his wife Ashifa, also a native of Pakistan, they have four children – Aleem, Anisa, Aisha, and Amaan. Aleem, the oldest, assists his father in the day-to-day operations of the luxury car business while also building his personal brand as a social media influencer.
Lord Aleem has amassed a considerable following of over 1.2 million on Instagram and 455k subscribers on YouTube. He offers followers a window into his affluent lifestyle and the family’s high-end vehicles. His nickname, “Lord Aleem”, was given to him by his friends, adding a personal touch to his influencer brand.
The family’s origins are traced back to a village near Lahore, Pakistan. Even though they are now settled in the UK, they still have strong ties to their roots and regularly visit their relatives. Their devout adherence to the teachings of Islam is often reflected in Lord Aleem’s social media posts.
Despite his successful business ventures, Saleem Iqbal’s journey hasn’t been without obstacles. In 1996, he was sentenced to two years in jail for trying to interfere with the course of justice in a heroin overdose case involving a teenage girl. His attempt to convince a witness to change a court statement led to his conviction. In 2013, he faced more legal troubles when he was handed a 16-month suspended sentence and community service for money laundering, linked to a network laundering £180 million of drug money.
Yet, amidst the trials, Saleem Iqbal has managed to build a thriving empire that provides his family with a luxurious lifestyle. Despite the controversies, he takes pride in his children’s achievements, particularly Lord Aleem’s love for luxury cars. In addition to his business successes, Iqbal is known for his philanthropic contributions, generously donating money and cars to various causes and organisations.
