Fawaz Ibrahim
Derby
"Over the years, I realised I wanted to do more than manage operations – I wanted to fix problems directly and build a business that really helps people. That's what led me into appliance repair and engineering."
From retail operations to local business owner
Fawaz Ibrahim launched Pacifica Local Derby in January 2026, bringing with him over a decade of leadership experience in retail operations. Before joining Pacifica Local, Fawaz spent over 12 years with the Goldens Group, progressing from trainee manager to senior operations manager, developing extensive experience in team leadership, customer service, and business performance.
Alongside his retail career, Fawaz built a formidable technical foundation. Achieving a CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert) qualification – one of the most challenging certifications in the networking industry – equipped him with advanced diagnostic, analytical, and problem-solving skills that have proven highly transferable to appliance repair.
The decision to move into franchise ownership was driven by a long-standing ambition to build something of his own. Pacifica Local offered the ideal balance: the independence of running a local business, combined with a proven model, structured training, and a comprehensive support network.
View Partners Website"Over the years, I realised I wanted to do more than manage operations – I wanted to fix problems directly and build a business that really helps people. That's what led me into appliance repair and engineering."
The ideal balance of independence and support
Fawaz had the leadership skills, commercial experience, and technical aptitude to build a business – but he recognised the value of a proven model and comprehensive support network. Pacifica Local provided all of that, combined with something he hadn't expected: the satisfaction of being hands-on, directly solving problems for people in his community.
From shadowing experienced engineers to receiving ongoing in-field guidance, Fawaz was able to develop confidence quickly while transitioning into a new industry. He believes that with the right mindset and support, the role is highly accessible – even for those entering from a completely different background.
""That technical mindset is invaluable in appliance repair. When something breaks down at home, people want it diagnosed properly and fixed fast so life can get back to normal.""
"I've spent a huge part of my professional life in Derby, so launching my own business here felt right. Every day is different – meeting people, solving problems and helping households get their appliances back up and running."
Twelve years of leadership, one bold new direction
A career built on operational excellence, technical achievement, and deep community roots – channelled into building Derby's trusted appliance repair service.
Senior Career at the Goldens Group
Fawaz progressed from trainee manager to senior operations manager, developing deep expertise in team leadership, customer service, and business performance. Alongside this, he achieved his CCIE – one of the most demanding technical qualifications in networking.
City & Guilds Qualification & In-Field Experience
Before launching, Fawaz completed his City & Guilds professional appliance repair training and shadowed experienced Pacifica engineers in Derby. His existing diagnostic and problem-solving skills accelerated that technical development significantly.
Launched Pacifica Local Derby
On 6th January 2026, Fawaz launched his franchise in the city he's called home throughout his career. With day-one work from Pacifica, a strong local network, and a mission to serve his community, he hit the ground running from the very first day.
Building a business Derby can trust
At the beginning of his franchise journey, Fawaz is focused on establishing Pacifica Local Derby as the community's go-to appliance repair service – with a clear plan for long-term growth.
Deep Local Roots
With over 12 years professionally tied to Derby, Fawaz launched his business with genuine community knowledge and established relationships – giving him a head start in building local trust.
Dual Technical Expertise
The combination of a CCIE qualification and City & Guilds appliance repair certification gives Fawaz a rare diagnostic depth – enabling him to identify and resolve complex faults quickly and accurately.
Strong Launch Platform
Backed by Pacifica's day-one work allocation and in-field support network, Fawaz launched with immediate income and the ongoing guidance needed to build confidence rapidly in a new trade.
Community-First Mission
Fawaz's goal is simple: a business Derby residents trust, feel confident calling, and know will deliver high standards. With plans to grow the business and create local opportunities, his vision goes beyond repairs.
Solving problems, serving his community
Fawaz operates Pacifica Local Derby as a hands-on business owner, combining the technical precision of appliance repair with the customer-first mindset he refined across 12 years in operations management. Each day brings a different set of challenges – and a different household he can help.
The shift from managing teams to working directly with customers has been a deliberate and rewarding one. Fawaz wanted to fix problems himself, not just oversee others doing it. Running his own business has given him that, along with the independence to build something that reflects his own values and standards.
He draws on transferable skills from his previous career every day – structured problem-solving from his CCIE work, customer empathy from years in retail, and business discipline from senior operations management. For Fawaz, those strengths don't just complement the technical side; they define the quality of service he delivers.
""My goal is simple. I want this to be a business that people trust – a local service they feel confident calling, knowing the job will be done properly by someone who genuinely cares about high standards and supporting the community.""
A proven model, built for someone like Fawaz
With a CCIE already in his toolkit and 12 years of operational leadership behind him, Fawaz didn't need the basics explained – he needed a structured pathway into a new trade, with the right technical and commercial support to make the transition quickly and confidently.
City & Guilds Assured Training
Fawaz came with technical depth from his CCIE, but appliance engineering was a new application of those skills. The City & Guilds programme gave him the structured, accredited pathway to bridge that gap – and his analytical background meant he progressed quickly.
Engineer Shadowing in Territory
Before operating independently, Fawaz shadowed experienced Pacifica engineers in Derby. That hands-on immersion was essential for translating classroom knowledge into confident real-world repair – in the city he knows best.
Day-One Work Allocation
Launching a brand-new business takes time. Pacifica's day-one work allocation gave Fawaz a reliable income foundation from the moment he launched in January 2026 – so he could focus on developing his reputation without financial pressure.
Business Assistance
After 12 years in operations management, the business side felt familiar to Fawaz – but Pacifica's guidance on running a franchise helped him channel that experience productively into building his own enterprise from the ground up.
Partner Network
Moving from managing a team to operating solo is a significant shift. The Pacifica partner community has given Fawaz a sounding board of people going through similar experiences – from early-stage challenges to longer-term growth decisions.
National Brand, Local Credibility
Launching in a community he knows well, the Pacifica Local brand has given Fawaz's new business immediate credibility. Customers who might not yet know him as an engineer know and trust the Pacifica name behind him.
""Pacifica Local offered the ideal balance – providing the independence of running a local business, combined with the reassurance of a proven model, structured training, and a comprehensive support network.""
With the right mindset and the right support, this role is highly accessible – even for those entering from a completely different background. Back yourself, use every resource available, and stay focused on delivering a service your community can genuinely count on.