Zeeshan Shaikh Bio

Zeeshan Shaikh serves as the Operating Partner for ZT Corporate’s automotive portfolio entity, ZT Motors, one of the nation’s top minority-owned auto groups. Shaikh, born and raised in Dubai before moving to the U.S. at 17 years old, has a passion for results-driven entrepreneurship. He credits his success to his upbringing in Dubai where he learned to navigate an international and diverse business community at a young age. Being able to understand different cultures and perspectives has been the foundation of successful negotiations and dealmaking throughout his career. Shaikh recently joined ZT Corporate, one of the leading private equity firms in the Houston area. In his role, he is focused on developing and driving the strategy for ZT Motors’ business plan, creating operational excellence amongst dealerships, and identifying new areas of expansion that create value for the portfolio. He brings a personal passion for implementing proven and emerging technologies that enhance the ZT Motors dealership experience, both for the end customer as well as the operational teams. Before joining ZT Corporate, Shaikh spearheaded a successful startup company that developed a digital platform focused on boosting relationships and loyalty between automotive retailers and their customer base. Prior to that, he served as Manager, Pre-Owned Operations and F&I Compliance at Group 1 Automotive, an international Fortune 300 automotive retailer. During this time, he developed the pre-owned operations and processes within the corporate office, launched the Val-U-Line project (a proprietary brand for high mileage pre-owned vehicles), built an internal online buying center with an upgraded internal auction capability, implemented a new transportation infrastructure, developed a pre-owned vehicle pricing platform, and enhanced technologies and processes. He also managed the launch of the audit functions within the company’s UK and Brazil operations. Earlier in his career, he held positions at PKF Texas, Chicago Bridge & Iron and IBM Global Process Services. In addition to his work in the automotive sector, Shaikh is a successful entrepreneur operating several restaurant and hospitality locations in the Greater Houston area. One example is FiLLi Café, a tea and restaurant experience from Dubai. Shaikh launched three locations in the market that now generate more than $1.5 million in annual sales. Shaikh has been conducting business and fostering relationships in Houston for more than 20 years. In addition to his deep connections within the business community, he also believes in giving back and volunteering his time a local nonprofits like Kids’ Meals. In his new leadership role at ZT Motors, he will have oversight of community engagement programs where each of ZT’s nine automotive dealerships operate.