Each Mosaic region is overseen by a senior advisory group, who come together to provide strategic direction for Mosaic’s work in that region as a vehicle designed to maximise reach into, and impact within these communities regionally.
Varinder Dhaliwal
Board Member and London and South East RLG Chairman
Zishan Nurmohamed
Vice Chairman - London and South East RLG
Zishan started his Mosaic journey as a mentor. He could relate to the objectives of the Enterprise Challenge through his upbringing in a council estate in North London and a desire to give back and try to help younger individuals that may benefit from being mentored. Zishan was subsequently asked to join the London Regional Leadership Group and is an active member of more junior BME staff at EY.
Zishan is a qualified accountant and has worked in professional services and leading financial institutions over the past 14 years, the bulk of his experience has been gained as an auditor with EY (formerly known as Ernst & Young), working primarily with mid-market, privately owned entrepreneurial business, private equity backed businesses and companies listed on the AIM and main market of the London Stock Exchange.
Zishan also spent three years working abroad in the Middle East within the EY network, working with leading global organisations and businesses patroned by a local Royal Family.
Naheed Afzal
Vice Chairman – London and South East RLG
Naheed has been actively involved in mentoring programmes with the charity Mosaic since 2012, She is Vice Chair of the London & South East Regional Leadership group, has been a member of the steering committee for Mosaic Associates Female Entrepreneurs Network. An advocate of conscious leadership and the power of collaboration, she qualified as a solicitor in the early 90’s, practicing in human and civil rights. She is co-Founder and CEO of Contracts IT Recruitment Consulting limited.
Naheed Afzal is bringing women and minorities to the forefront of technology. Her award winning business powers innovation through tech diversity linking excellent technologists with some of the most innovative companies in the world. Her passion for influencing and inspiring is not limited to her working environment and has grown organically as a young lawyer providing pro-bono legal assistance to women`s refuge’s & assisting women sheltering from abuse and violence.
A keen supporter of gender diversity and empowering women and young children, she is a Tech London Advocate (a private sector led coalition of over 4000 expert individuals from the tech sector committed to championing London’s potential as a world-class hub for tech and digital businesses). She is the UK Advisor for The Wonder Women Tech Foundation US, supporting and promoting Women and minorities in STEM, she is an Enterprise Mentor for Generation success, a not for profit organisation that is an inspiring network advancing social mobility.
Roohi Hasan
Mosaic London and South East Regional Communications Lead
Roohi Hasan is a Senior Producer working at ITN for ITV’s National News programmes.
Roohi started as a Mosaic mentor five years ago, first at primary then secondary school level, as well as speaking at and compering their events. She joined the RLG last year. A keen advocate of social mobility, Roohi has mentored for the Media Trust and other schemes, as well privately mentoring in her spare time.
Having been discouraged on her career choice by her school and community for respectively claiming it was too difficult and unsuitable, Roohi still went on to fulfil her dream. She is now passionate about supporting other young people aspiring to gain entry into this industry and other professions, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. She landed her first job at ITN soon after graduation after securing years of unpaid work experience whilst at school and university.
Roohi’s journalism at ITN has taken her around the world and received a number of accolades over the years including her series about the impact of the Afghanistan war here in the UK being shortlisted for a prestigious Broadcast Award in 2013.
Last year, with the Prime Minister also in attendance, she was presented with an award for Excellence in Media by the Attorney General at the Muslim News Awards for her role in some of the network’s coverage of key national and international events including the death of Nelson Mandela.
Roohi also won the Asian Women of Achievement Awards in the Media category very early on in her career at ITN for rising up in the competitive world of broadcast journalism.
Nageen Faruqi
Member – London and South East RLG
Nageen Faruqi has been a mentor with Mosaic since 2014 and became part of the London and South East Regional Leadership Group two years later. She has mentored across the Primary, Secondary and Enterprise Challenge programmes and her love of working with children in the classroom has led her into a new career. Nageen is now a mindfulness teacher passionate about helping both children and adults to be better equipped to deal with the challenges life can bring.
Prior to this Nageen studied Economics at King’s College, Cambridge, she is a qualified accountant and worked as a management consultant for 12 years. She lives in Northwood with her husband and two children.
Wakkas Khan
Board Member and North West RLG Chairman
Wakkas’s first involvement with Mosaic was as a mentor on Mosaic’s Young Muslim Offenders Mentoring Programme at Her Majesty’s Prison Forest Bank. He is a member of Mosaic’s North West Regional Leadership Group, providing support and advice to Mosaic’s North West regional management. Wakkas is a member of the Mosaic Associates.
Wakkas is an award-winning community organiser, social entrepreneur and dental surgeon. He qualified from the University of Manchester in dentistry in 2004 and is currently a general dental practitioner based in Cheshire. Wakkas’ passion is to make a positive contribution to people’s lives. He has dedicated much of his life to working to try to bridge gaps in understanding and encourage dialogue, interaction and mutual appreciation.
Wakkas currently sits on the General Dental Council, the regulatory body of UK dentistry. The GDC is the most senior body in UK dentistry and as such has the responsibility for overseeing the protection of the public as well as the regulation of the dental team. Within his role at the GDC, Wakkas has sat on the Audit Committee and currently sits on the Remuneration Committee. Wakkas also takes a deep interest in international development and was involved in raising money for the flood victims of Pakistan with the Pakistan Recovery Fund, a charity founded by His Royal Highness, Prince of Wales.
Wakkas has been an advisor to a number of government departments. His work in building stronger communities was recognised when he was appointed to the Faith Advisory Panel of Experts to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. As a member of the Government Home Office Task Forces ‘Preventing Extremism Together’, Wakkas’ team presented a number of proposals to the Home Secretary to consider in tackling deprivation, disaffection and disengagement amongst Muslim communities. Furthermore, as part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s ‘Engaging with the Islamic World Group’ Wakkas was invited to visit a number of countries as an ambassador for British Islam.
Wakkas grew up in Manchester and was a community governor of St Chrysostom’s Primary School, the inner city school that he attended as a child. He recently facilitated a mentoring relationship between Mosaic and St Chrysostom’s. Wakkas has also been a governor of the Christie Hospital, one of the largest cancer centres in the world, treating over 40,000 patients a year. He currently sits on the General Assembly of the University of Manchester and is also a trustee of the Manchester Youth Foundation.
Regarding Mosaic, Wakkas said: “I have met remarkable children of all faiths and races and believe that it has never been more important than ever that every child is able to fulfill their God given potential. The greatest success of Mosaic is that it empowers children to aspire, to dream and to believe that the world is theirs too.”
About Mosaic Associates Wakkas added: “The Associates brings together like minded people of success and influence who believe that it is imperative to create as many opportunities for the youth as imaginable, and to put down as many ladders for children as possible. It is this constellation of individuals that are today shaping the world that we will leave tomorrow for the next generation.”
Atifa Shah
Vice Chairman - North West RLG
Atifa has played a leading role within Mosaic from its very inception in 2007 and subsequently joined the North West RLG in 2008 when it was formed. Atifa is the longest serving RLG member and in her time at Mosaic has noted key achievements such as managing the relationship between Mosaic and Accenture, through enabling Corporate Sponsorship of the Mosaic Talent Awards, Mosaic Northwest Launch Dinner, and hosting HRH The Prince of Wales’s Seeing is Believing Tour in June 2011. She also established a Corporate’s and SME Engagement Model for Mosaic. In 2010, her team of mentees from Manchester Academy won the National Enterprise Challenge, setting a prime example of leadership and inspiring success for mentors from the leadership team itself. In her role as Vice Chairman Atifa has led Mosaic Northwest through the years with her forward thinking, leadership skills, contacts and networks to inspire corporates, entrepreneurs and local businesses to become engaged in Mosaic and more widely their own community leadership.
Outside of Mosaic, Atifa has supported more of HRH’s interests such as the British Asian Trust, The Princes Trust, was recognised for her contributions to HRH Prince of Wales’s Pakistan Recovery Fund and is also an Alumni of The Young Muslim Leadership Summer School at Oxford.
A graduate of the University of Manchester and a founder of multiple businesses, Atifa began her corporate career at Accenture, today, Atifa specialises in Transformation and Change Project and Programme Management and continues to contribute to complex organisational and industry changes for top FTSE 100 clients within the Financial Services Sector, Domestic and International Governments, Private Healthcare and Real Estate.
An active figure in the political and philanthropic sphere, Atifa was elected Youth MP for Rochdale in 2005. Her active role in society is continually demonstrated through the various positions she holds such as a Director of Link4Life and a Governor for Rochdale 6th Form College, and Remembering Srebrenica Board Member. Atifa has in the past chaired a Muslim Advisory Panel (2005-2009), chaired Rochdale Women’s Welfare Association (2007- 2010), and served on the Pakistan Britain Business Chamber Board of Directors at the Pakistan High Commission. She regularly contributes to key Muslim issues in mainstream media and documentaries such as Sky News, ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC. Atifa has and continues to contribute to a number of government initiatives, policies and strategic debates around terrorism, grooming, housing, private health care, the NHS, education and welfare, urban development for the UK’s core cities, safer communities and foreign affairs.
Zeb Farooq
Member - North West RLG
Zeb Farooq has been a mentor for Mosaic since 2014. He was lead mentor for the Enterprise Challenge, successfully progressing to the North West Regional Finals in 2015, 2016 and 2018. He has also mentored various schools for the Secondary School Mentoring Programme.
Zeb studied mathematics at university, obtaining a first class in his bachelors, and 2 post graduate masters in mathematics. He has been employed at Wood since 2008 providing engineering, consultancy and safety services to the civil and defence nuclear sectors.
Zeb is a qualified Project Manager (IPMA Level C) and a qualified Proposal Manager (CP APMP). He has worked as a Thermal Hydraulic Consultant and Project Manager; currently he works as a Bid Manager in the Strategy & Development function of his organisation.
Zeb is also a Private Tutor in mathematics, and has been teaching 11+, GCSE and A-Level students over the past 16 years.
Zeb is married with 5 children and lives in Manchester.
Furqan Naeem
Member - North West RLG
Furqan Naeem is a community campaigner and political activist with a passion for social justice. Over the past decade Furqan has taken an active role in youth work, charity and political campaigns.
He was born and raised in Manchester and studied Pharmacy at the University of Bradford. After working in student politics he went on to complete his Masters in International Politics and Security Studies at the world-renowned peace studies department also at the University of Bradford.
Furqan currently works as a campaigner for Friends of the Earth – the biggest environmental campaigning organisation in the world.
Furqan’s passion for international development and charity work has seen him at the heart of many national campaigns organising fundraising events to raise much-needed funds for the poor and needy across the world.
He has been active volunteer for Islamic Relief that culminated with a charity trek to Mount Everest base camp. He travelled to Kenya and Somalia with Human Appeal International on a humanitarian delegation after the East Africa famine drought in 2011 and was the first employee of the fastest growing charity in the UK – Penny Appeal as their campaigns manager.
He was selected as a global ambassador for the Global Poverty Project working with communities to campaign against global poverty.
Having grown up and seen the lack of representation from the BAME community in the political process Furqan took it upon himself to get involved and encourage others to get politically engaged in order to contribute to wider society.
Furqan joined the Labour arty after a community organising event and was Chair of the local youth group in Manchester and the student club at his university. He served on the national committee of Labour Students campaigning to bring a living wage to staff at university institutions and served on the national committee of the youth wing of the Labour party where he was the BAME officer – increasing the voice of ethnic communities from the UK.
Furqan has been an active member of the student political movement in the UK serving as the Chair and then the Education Officer at Bradford Students Union as well being part of the first ever interfaith forum with the National Union of Students.
Through his various political role he has managed to engage with a number of senior politicians across all parties advising on issues ranging from getting young people involved in politics and how politicians should engage with BAME communities.
Furqan’s community work over the past decade was recognized by his peers and the Muslim community in the UK when he was awarded the Malcolm X Young Person’s award at the annual Muslim News Awards in 2013. In 2015 he was selected by the US State department on its prestigious International Visitors Leadearship Program to visit communities across America focusing on integration and community cohesion.
Furqan’s insight with grassroots communities has seen him interviewed across national news on television and broadcast media including the BBC, SKY, Channel 4 as well as Radio 4’s World at One speaking on issues on the environment, extremism and engaging young people and BAME communities in Politics. He regularly blogs on Huffington Post, Labour List and the Independent.
Furqan has been mentoring with Mosaic since 2010 primarily on Mosaic’s Secondary School Programme where he has been the lead mentor at his old high school – Burnage Academy in Manchester.
On his recent appointment to the regional board Furqan said that he “wanted to give young people the same opportunities he has had growing up and to inspire them to be the best version of themselves.”
He went on to say that “greatness is within their grasps… they just have to ignite the spark within them and that is where Mosaic comes in.”
Saif Rehan
Member - North West RLG
Saif has been a mentor with Mosaic since 2013, over the course of the past three years he has mentored on the Secondary School and Enterprise Challenge. Growing up within an area of Manchester that meets Mosaic’s target demographic, he knew just how important mentoring was and Mosaic was a perfect opportunity for him to give back some time and effort to the community.
Saif works for Enteprise Rent-A-Car, the world’s largest transportation solutions provider, offering car and truck rentals. He specializes in Business Management, looking after branches within Northern Lancashire. Saif’s work has enabled him to travel around the region and meet people from many different cultures. When he isn’t being a number cruncher, Saif is currently studying to become a Chartered Accountant and is a keen Golfer.
Prior to Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Saif spent three years as an Ambassador for The University of Manchester where he managed to become one of their most influential graduates. A privilege that still brings him back to the University to celebrate their achievements and network with other key alumni.
Tasnim Khalid
Member - North West RLG
Tasnim Khalid is an entrepreneurial Solicitor, working for JMW Solicitors LLP. Tasnim Khalid ranks highly in the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners (independent directories which rate the leading lawyers and law firms in the country) and JMW have also won Law Firm of The Year in the Manchester Legal Awards 2015.
Tasnim is an Partner in the Private Client Department and regularly advises clients from all walks of life (ranging from entrepreneurs and business owners to the elderly clients) about their estate planning requirements. Tasnim is able to offer holistic planning advice to cater for clients’ individual needs such as inheritance tax planning, business succession, the mental capacity act, trusts, Shariah compliant estate planning, probate and charitable trusts. Tasnim was a finalist in the JCI Manchester 2012 Awards under the category of “Legal Professional of the Year”. The Private Client Department were also the finalists for the “Best Private Client Team of the Year” in the Manchester Legal Awards 2013.
Tasnim is renowned as a network leader and her philanthropic activities. She regularly advises charities about their legal implications and tax efficient giving. Tasnim often assists the business community with their legal queries and was a key note speaker for the British Asian Business Awards in Manchester.
Tasnim is a keen supporter and advocate for Mosaic and believes that the problems should be tackled at the root level. Tasnim has mentored for the Primary School Programme and is committed to ensuring that Mosaic is a continued success.
Dr Atif Bashir
Board Member and Scotland Leadership Group Co-Chairman
Dr Atif Bashir is the son of Bashir Ahmad who emigrated to the United Kingdom in 1962 from the Indian subcontinent. Having initially worked as a street lighter and then going on to to work as a bus driver, shop owner, restaurateur and laterally as a politician.
Dr Bashir was born in Glasgow in 1968 and attended his local school Shawlands Academy. Following school he has spent extensive period studying at the Universities of Glasgow, Strathclyde, Napier and Genoa.
Dr Bashir is now the Clinical Director and owner of Be Dental Ltd, a group of five mixed NHS and Private Dental Practices, located in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Falkirk with a patient list of a round 35,000 patients.
Dr Bashir initially qualified from University of Strathclyde n 1989 with a degree in Pure and applied Chemistry. He then went to work as a Chemist in industry initially whilst further educating himself to the point of qualifying as a Chartered Chemist.
Although he thoroughly enjoyed his work and was considering studying for a PhD, he felt it lacked people contact and he decided to go back to school. Dr Bashir qualified from the Glasgow Dental School in 2000 graduating with commendation.
Whilst at University he took on additional work within the department to improve the research that was being carried out utilising his Chemistry degree in the field of Cariology. He was nominated for the prestigious Colgate Prize for his work and presented that he the International Society of Dental Research.
Since qualifying in 2000 Dr Bashir has worked in dentistry across Central Scotland, initially as an associate and then as a practice owner.
Whilst working, Dr Bashir studied, sat and passed the highly thought of MFDS (Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgeons) examination with the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh: the world’s oldest College of Surgeons.
At this point, Dr Bashir made the decision to take a special interest in Cosmetic Dentistry, further studies and exams followed including a fellowship in Laser dentistry from the University of Genoa. Dr Bashir now works in partnership with Scotland’s premier award wining Plastic Surgeon Consultant lead Clinic, La Belle Forme as a cosmetic dentist.
As Dr Bashir’s group of practices grew, he found more of his time was dedicated to managing his business and he won the coveted “Best Professional in Business” in 2012 at the Scottish Asian Business Awards.
Dr Bashir has been happily married, and has two children. I n his spare time (of which there is very little) he enjoys fishing and the gym.
Omar Sheikh
Co-Chairman – Scotland Leadership Group
Omar Shaikh is a Chartered Accountant by profession and specialises in Islamic finance and private equity.
He sits on the Board of the Islamic Finance Council UK focusing on government policy advisory.
Omar has been recognised in the Worldwide Who’s Who 2014 and awarded the 2015 British Muslim Award for his work in Islamic finance.
He has supported in establishing the UK Government’s strategy for making the City a leading Western hub for Islamic finance through the UKTI, HM Treasury Committees and Mansion House trade delegations.
He has lectured at various global conferences and universities and is involved in development initiatives relating to waqf , shariah governance and Islamic microfinance.
Omar’s background includes working with Ernst & Young where he was recognised as the UK firms Subject Matter Expert for Islamic finance and successfully led the build out of the Islamic finance offering within the UK office.
At EY he also worked with the UK Private Equity team and the multi-award winning EY Islamic Financial Services Group in Bahrain.
Usman Tariq
Member – Scotland Leadership Group
Usman Tariq is an Advocate (also known as a “barrister”) at the Scottish Bar.
He specialises in commercial and public law. He has conducted cases at all levels of the court system from the Court of Session in Edinburgh to the UK Supreme Court in London.
He is a standing junior to the UK Government, one of twenty such appointments in Scotland, acting in public law cases on its behalf.
He is a graduate of the Universities of Cambridge and Glasgow. He has mentored law students at the University of Glasgow for a number of years.
He passionately believes in the benefits of a strong mentoring network to encourage and motivate young people to reach their potential.
He is committed to bringing the benefits of the Mosaic network to Scotland.
Amjid Bashir
Member – Scotland Leadership Group
Amjid Bashir is on the board of a number of registered charities in a voluntary capacity, including family support and educational charities. He is an active and respected member of the Glasgow community and a Justice of the Peace for the Sheriffdom of South Strathclyde and Dumfries.
Amjid completed a B-Eng (Hons) in Engineering and then went on to finish a MSc in IT Systems from the University of Strathclyde. He worked as a software developer and a Management Consultant for a number of years before setting up his own retail businesses.
Amjid set up a chain of convenience stores in Glasgow city centre and later went on to set up a property company and acquired the license to operate the master franchise for Baguette Express in Greater London.
Amjid Bashir has a proven business track record and has also shown a real flare and skill for marketing during his many voluntary charity roles.
Asma Ali
Member – Scotland Leadership Group
Asma Ali is a Fulltime Solicitor for the Police Service of Scotland. She has worked on a number of areas of law, and has Court experience appearing on behalf of the Police in some high profile cases. She was also the first hijab wearing Muslim female to appear as a Solicitor in a Scottish Court.
She is an active member of the community having worked in the community on an adhoc basis in a number of roles since her late teens. She is active in interfaith work and has successfully lead Islam Awareness Week in Scotland for 2014 and 2015. She is also the Glasgow Branch Co ordinator for the Islamic Society of Britain and sits on the local and national Boards. Asma is also the Chair of the Scottish Police Muslim Association.
Asma is a wife, and also the mother of a very active 4 year old.
Abu-Zar Aziz
Member – Scotland Leadership Group
Abu-Zar is an economic development practitioner by profession and presently works for Scottish Enterprise (SE) as a Project Manager. His remit is it to initiate, appraise, and implement projects, across Scotland’s key industry sectors which stimulate the greatest economic impact. He represents SE on project boards across a range of industry sectors including technology & engineering, renewable energy, and construction.
His previous experience spans across roles within management consultancy, business development, and higher education. He holds postgraduate qualifications in economic development and international marketing and is a certified project manager.
He has undertaken significant volunteer work from an early age engaging in youth work representing a cross-section of organisations in Glasgow. More recently, he launched Aspire Higher, a demand-led pilot project which developed a range of support and events targeted at learners across all ages. The overarching vision was to develop a local talent pool of professionals who were committed to sharing experiences, provide expert advice, and offer opportunities.
Rabia Baber
Member – Scotland Leadership Group
Rabia Baber is a secondary school teacher by profession and specialises in increasing Employability skills of young people.
Rabia has been involved in grassroots community work for the past 15 years and has experience of working with a diverse group of people.
Uzma Khan
Member – Scotland Leadership Group
Bio will appear here shortly.
Nauman Dar
Member – Scotland Leadership Group
Bio will appear here shortly.
Dr Haseena Lockhat
Board Member and West Midlands RLG Chairman
Dr Haseena Lockhat works for Worcestershire Health and Care Trust as a Consultant Clinical Psychologist providing services within a CAMHs team.
Her current portfolio includes being Chair of Mosaic West Midlands, a Prince’s Trust school and ex-offender mentoring initiative; Vice President of the West Midlands
Asian Business Chamber of Commerce (ABCC); Member of WM Police Independent Advisory Group (IAG); Partner at the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) which is an independent regulatory body; Co-developer, Trainer and Supervisor with Approachable Parenting, delivering parenting programs for 0-3; 4-11; and teenagers.
Haseena is regarded as a leading figure both in the UK and internationally on healthcare issues relating to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Her publications include the acclaimed book ‘Female Genital Mutilation: Treating the Tears’, launched by the then Home Secretary David Blunkett, which culminated from groundbreaking research that she carried out investigating the psychological effects of FGM.
Mohammed Saqub
Member - West Midlands RLG
Mohammed Saqub’s background is in Real Estate and Real Estate Finance. He studied law at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, he qualified as a Real Estate Solicitor at Wragge & Co LLP before joining SGH Martineau LLP in 2007.
Mohammed’s property experience includes acting for developers, investors and banks. He acted for developers on a joint venture with the London Development Agency the acquisition and re-development of derelict sites at Beckton and Leyton in East London, which were used to re-locate businesses from the Olympic zone.
Mohammed also specialises in providing public bodies and charities (universities, colleges and local authorities) specialist property advice relating to estates matters.
Mohammed helped establish an Islamic banking practice at Martineau about 5 years ago and the team, which now consists of circa 20 lawyers acts for a number of Islamic Banks in both the UK and the Arabian Gulf.
Mohammed is keen to improve the customer experience in Islamic finance and drafted the Land Registry’s practice guide on Islamic finance transactions in England and Wales.
Mohammed has lectured on MA Islamic finance at Aston University and more recently has been appointed by the University of Law to lecture on its Property Modules.
Nabila Zulfiqar
Member - West Midlands RLG
Nabila has an LLB (Hons) in Business Law and is a solicitor. She has experience of the governance and regulation of the legal profession, architects, teachers, press and healthcare scientists. She is the Chief Adjudicator at the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA); the regulator of legal services in England and Wales. Prior to joining the SRA, Nabila was Council Solicitor at the General Teaching Council for England (GTC) with responsibility for advising the Chief Executive, Registrar and Council on all legal matters. She managed the legal team with responsibility for the overall investigation and conduct of cases before the Professional Conduct Committees of the GTC. From 2005 until 2008, Nabila was Principal Solicitor and Head of Service in the Legal Department of Birmingham City Council. She was a member of the Family Justice Council – Children in Safeguarding Proceedings sub-committee and contributed to two Law Society publications relating to public law proceedings.
In April 2013, Nabila was appointed by the Privy Council to the Architects Registration Board and chaired its Investigation Oversight Committee. Nabila is now the Chair of the Architects Registration Board.
Other roles:
- Chair of the National Anti-Discrimination Panel for the Football Association
- Member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation Readers Panel
- Advertising Advisory Committee member for the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice
- Management Committee member of the Public Chairs Forum
- Co-chair Building Design Competence Working Group set up following the Hackitt Report
- Vice Chair of West Midlands Regional Leadership Group for Mosaic: Princes Trust
- Previous member of the Academy for Healthcare Science Regulation Council
Shakil Butt
Member - West Midlands RLG
HR and Leadership Consultant at HR Hero for Hire
Shakil is a values driven, accomplished, award winning HR professional, with over 20 years of experience leading an award winning global HR team in a multi faith, multi ethnic and multi-cultural environment. Now working as an independent consultant, Shakil adds value engaging with organisations and individuals with their HR and OD challenges and executive support.
Holding two professional qualifications (FCIPD, FCCA), Shakil has been part of various senior management teams leading on strategic direction, organisational development and change management in multiple organisations having sat on various boards and committees most notably as a board director of one of the largest relief and development charities in the world working in over 40 countries.
Shakil enjoys writing and contributing to articles on HR and management issues and has featured in a number of leading HR publications. Shakil is regularly invited to speak at HR conferences and attend round tables to discuss and debate with other HR leaders as well as judging the prestigious HR Excellence awards and CIPD awards.
As the Honorary Treasurer for the CIPD, Shakil is a trustee and chairs the Audit Committee as well as sitting on the Remuneration Committee. In the community he is a member of Mosaic’s regional leadership group, mentoring and working to raise the aspirations and self-esteem of young people in the most deprived communities.
Mohammed Sharif
Member - West Midlands RLG
Mohammed Sharif recently joined the West Midlands Regional Leadership Group having mentored for the last two years at Kings Heath Boys School. Mohammed is currently mentoring at Ark Boulton Academy and helping to deliver the Enterprise Challenge Programme at Hodge Hill Secondary School.
Mohammed is the Lead Co-ordinator for Mosaic’s Silver Partner, UK Islamic Mission, where he holds responsibility as General Secretary for UKIM Midlands Zone and Branch President at Paigham-e-Islam Mosque in Birmingham. UKIM are committed to engaging with communities at a local level and investing in the future of British Youth.
Previously Head of Regulatory Finance at Arqiva, a British telecommunications company providing infrastructure and broadcast transmission facilities, Mohammed helped deliver TV Digital Switchover and was responsible for the production of Regulatory Accounts and preparing Regulatory Pricing for TV and Radio whilst ensuring Arqiva’s Regulated Business activities were compliant with Ofcom guidance.
Marklew Rice
Member - West Midlands RLG
Head of Product Management, Al Rayan Bank
As the Head of Product Management at the UK’s first fully Sharia compliant retail Bank, Marklew’s role is to manage the mortgage and savings ranges helping Al Rayan Bank to make a significant and lasting difference to Muslims throughout the UK, helping them to save for their families’ futures, expand their businesses or buy their own homes, without compromising their beliefs.
Throughout his time at Al Rayan Bank, Marklew has been involved in the delivery of a number of products including the UKs first Sharia compliant Cash ISA, and the introduction of the Buy to Let Purchase Plan aimed at customers who wish to become property landlords.
Prior to joining the RLG, Marklew mentored on the Enterprise Challenge Scheme and on two occasions took a team through to the Grand Final in London.
Based on his mentoring experience, Marklew was delighted to be asked to join the West Midlands RLG and is looking forward to promote the Mosaic Network to a new generation of Mentors throughout the West Midlands, and perhaps this might be the year that he finally mentors the overall winners!
Nasrin Akhtar
Member - West Midlands RLG
Nasrin Akhtar, a psychology graduate with a master’s degree in education has been actively involved with Mosaic since September 2012, and was invited to join the Regional Leadership Group in January 2017.
Nasrin was crowned the winner of HRH Princess Badiya Bint El Hassan’s Mentor of the Year Award 2016 after volunteering on 12 primary school mentoring programmes over the course of 4 years, which also included organising several celebration/graduation events for the primary school mentoring programme and multiple World of Work visits for the secondary school mentoring programme.
Alongside continuing to support and mentor on Mosaic’s primary school mentoring programme, Nasrin is currently employed by Coventry University as a Senior UK Recruitment Officer and is also a part-time PhD student at the University of Birmingham.
Sarah Khan-Bashir MBE
Board Member and Yorkshire RLG Chairman
Sarah Khan-Bashir MBE is a proactive, adaptable and conscientious solicitor, highly committed to putting something back into the community. Sarah established Shire Solicitors in 2007. This civil practice specialises in family law, property law and immigration law.
After qualifying as a solicitor, Sarah joined the Office of the Force Solicitor for West Yorkshire Police. Sarah led an initiative to create a protocol to be followed by the courts and partner authorities to case manage civil applications brought by the police to the magistrates’ courts. This model was adopted by several police forces.
Sarah has also delivered training in respect of cultural awareness programmes to Police Officers and Local Councils and presented a paper on the evidence required to successfully apply for sexual offences prevention orders to the British Army.
As Patron of the Minorities Police Liaison Committee in West Yorkshire, she acted as Chairwoman of a sub group of the committee looking specifically at the issue of Forced Marriages.
Sarah was nominated for a Lloyds TSB Jewel award and was one of the finalists for the Professional Excellence Award.
Sarah joined Mosaic in 2007. Princes’ Trust Mosaic was founded by HRH The Prince of Wales to connect young people from disadvantaged Muslim communities to relatable role models to help increase their confidence and improve their chances of fulfilling their potential. She is currently the Chair for the Yorkshire Regional Leadership Group and was awarded the MBE in 2014 for her services to charity.
With the Baroness Warsi Foundation, a social mobility charity, Sarah has co-written and is currently delivering an employability workshop to students from local schools in Bradford. The two day workshop seeks to equip young people, aged 16-18 years old, with essential employability skills.
Sarah is married to Leeds based lawyer Nadim Bashir and they have three daughters.
Abdul Ali
Member - Yorkshire RLG
Director of UK Sales, Camira Fabrics
“I promised myself in 1983 that the day I didn’t enjoy coming to work I’d leave and move on. I stand by that promise and I am still here nearly 30 years on.”
Abdul is the ever youthful, ever challenging Director of UK Sales for Camira Fabrics, responsible for contract fabric sales in their largest market area covering all sectors and all channels: A&D, corporate end-user clients, furniture manufacturers and the dealer network. He was originally recruited to Camborne Fabrics as a very young YTS (remember Margaret Thatcher’s Youth Training Scheme!), then moved up through the ranks, gaining priceless knowledge and making countless friends within the industry, not just in the UK, but in overseas markets in the Middle East and Far East. He set up rival Glenside Fabrics, found his vocation in sales, then saw his career come full circle when Glenside was acquired by Interface Fabrics in the late 1990s. Since the Camira MBO from Interface Abdul has headed up our UK sales team, never complacent, getting a total buzz from being part of making and keeping Camira market leader. After all these years one thing that still grates with Abdul is when high end furniture is downgraded with entry level fabrics: “It’s like putting re-moulds on a top of the range Mercedes!” For someone who loves cars – and furniture – that’s utter sacrilege.
Qari Asim MBE
Member - Yorkshire RLG
Solicitor, DLA Piper UK LLP
Qari Asim MBE is a real estate solicitor by profession, working at DLA Piper UK LLP, one of the largest legal firms in the world. He deals with legal issues relating to commercial property and the construction of skyscrapers in Leeds, which are visible signs of the city’s booming economy. In the evening he deals with invisible improvements, assisting in spiritually uplifting the Muslim community. Qari Asim is also currently a senior Imam (prayer leader) at Leeds Makkah Mosque, which is UK’s Model Mosque. The mosque won the nationwide award due to its outreach work, and for planning initiatives that actively engage with youth, women and different community organisations.
Qari Asim is an Executive member of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board and provides guidance to mosques and Imams in the North of England. He has also advised local statutory bodies and law enforcement agencies in respect of Islamic and cultural issues. Qari is also Chair of Deen Foundation, an organisation dedicated to promoting education. He has translated a number of articles from Urdu to English and has authored a book Our Children: Our Future. Qari’s current focus is on youth engagement; he is co-founder of Young Minds, a voluntary community organisation committed to providing recreational and educational activities to the youth.
Noor Ali
Member - Yorkshire RLG
Senior Buying manager World Foods, Morrisons
Born and educated in Leeds, Noor Ali is married and has two children, Faisal 25, and Zainab 21.
Noor Ali is a multi-award winning senior buying manager for World Foods at Morrisons supermarket. Looking at her outstanding list of achievements, it’s hard to believe that she was once a checkout girl who left school without any qualifications. She has won accolades including a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for Services to Diversity in the Retail Industry; national awards for Asian Women of Achievement, and Everywoman in Retail to name a few.
Charity work and mentoring are a vital part of Noor’s work, which includes being Vice Chair for Mosaic Yorkshire. Recently Noor has developed a new initiative, ‘Noor’s Den’ to mentor prisoners at selected UK prisons. Here she provides business expertise to some of the most marginalised members of society, through a learning and development day and providing a support network for prisoners upon release.
“Being Senior Buying Manager at Morrisons is all about delivering products and services for our customers. Getting the right products, in the right stores at the right price! This involves listening to our customers and store colleagues, working in partnership with our suppliers and with many categories, and also understanding the market trends both now and in the future. My personal aim is to drive development and help others to achieve their goals, and ultimately help them to drive development in others.”
Griselda Togobo
Member - Yorkshire RLG
Griselda is a multi-faceted entrepreneur, engineer and chartered accountant. She uses her vast experience with multi-national businesses to assist small and medium enterprises on ambitious growth targets. She trained as a chartered accountant with Deloitte LLP and holds an MPhil in Industrial Systems, Manufacture and Management from Wolfson College, Cambridge University.
She is a respected and impactful speaker and media commentator, with a passion for transforming businesses through the creation of innovative result driven programmes. As an expert on topics such as gender diversity, Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths (STEM) and entrepreneurship, Griselda offers a fresh approach to diversity in leadership development and writes a weekly column for the Business section of the Yorkshire Post.
Griselda is a Teaching Fellow at Lancaster University and sits on the Law & Business School Advisory Board at Leeds Beckett University. Griselda is passionate about supporting diversity through her business; Forward Ladies, a 18,500-strong (and growing) professional women’s network that supports progressive companies to maximise the potential of their female talent.
Hamzah Khan
Member - Yorkshire RLG
Bio will appear here shortly.
Bernard Ginns
Member - Yorkshire RLG
Founding director of Branksome Partners
Bernard Ginns is the founding director of Branksome Partners, which provides communications advisory services to individuals, businesses and organisations.
He is a respected journalist of national standing who has held senior roles at some of Britain’s most influential media brands.
As Business Editor of The Yorkshire Post (2008-16), Bernard earned a strong reputation as a leading spokesman for the business community in the North.
He has built a formidable network of contacts including entrepreneurs, investors, lenders, advisors, policymakers and regulators.
Bernard has extensive experience in the UK media industry, working as editor of the award-winning media start-up Kent on Sunday (2005-07), and as a reporter at The Mail on Sunday (2002-05), covering major stories from across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He started his career at the London Newspaper Group.
His proudest career achievement to date is his fundraising work with the Milton Margai School for the Blind in Freetown and the establishment of a school library in the village of Kent, both in Sierra Leone.
Waseem Khan
Member - Yorkshire RLG
Bio will appear here shortly.
