Mosaic Board member awarded OBE

Mosaic is delighted that long-standing supporter and Board member Harris Bokhari has been awarded an OBE for his services to young people and inter-faith dialogue in HM The Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2015.

Since 2009, Harris has selflessly devoted a ​significant amount of his time in his support of Mosaic. Harris’ achievements at Mosaic include initiating the Mosaic Patrons Scheme, recruiting a large number of mentors and key supporters, and striving to ensure Mosaic delivers programmes of high quality.

Commenting on Harris’ award, Jonathan Freeman, Managing Director of Mosaic, said:

“Harris’ commitment to supporting disadvantaged communities is exemplary​. The dedication he has shown to Mosaic, and so many other causes, is ​quite extraordinary and I am thrilled that these efforts have been recognised through this award.”

In addition to Mosaic, Harris has championed a wide range of other causes​, committing himself to public service​. In 2011, Harris founded the Naz Legacy Foundation to continue the work of his late father, Naz Bokhari OBE, the first Muslim/Asian head teacher in the UK.

Through ​the Foundation’s innovative programmes he has enabled hundreds of young people from deprived​, under-represented​ and minority communities to visit the​ UK’s great cultural and state​ ​institutions for the first time, helping them find new role models and aspirations.

Furthermore, in 2013, Harris became ​t​he youngest person ever to be awarded, by his peers, the prestigious Beacon Award for Philanthropy Advocate ​- challenging the perception that minority communities only fund raise for their own concerns and concerns in their countries of origin. He has raised over £1.5​ million for charities that support some of the most vulnerable children in this country.