New Patron paves the way for expansion to Scotland

Glasgow-based accountant Khalid Javid recently agreed to support Mosaic’s work to enable our operations to expand in the next academic year to Scotland. Khalid has pledged support through the our Patrons scheme that will enable Mosaic’s mentoring programmes in schools to be delivered north of the border, starting in Glasgow, from September 2014.

Supported by Khalid, we will be developing partnerships with other business leaders in and around Glasgow to ensure that young people from disadvantaged communities in Glasgow are able to benefit from our award-winning mentoring programmes. We will also work closely in partnership with our sister charity, Scottish Business in the Community.

Our programmes are aimed at those growing up in the most disadvantaged communities, with a particular – but not exclusive – focus on those from Muslim backgrounds. Scotland is home to 60,000 Muslims, over half of which live in Glasgow. Among all the religious groups in Scotland, Muslims have the largest youth profile, with 31% under the age of 16. Socio-economic data about Scottish Muslims provides a very clear business case for the relevance of Mosaic’s programmes:

• Scottish Muslims achieve lower educational attainment levels than other religious groups, with Scottish Muslims the most likely to have no qualifications between the ages of 16 and 29 of all religious groups.
• Scottish Muslims are among the least likely to have gained any qualifications.
• Scottish Muslims in Scotland are the least likely to be economically active, with only 52% of working age in employment or seeking employment.
• Scottish Muslims have the highest unemployment rate at 13% and Scottish Muslim women are more likely than women in any other religious group to be unemployed (15%).
• Scottish Muslim households in Britain have the lowest overall wealth of all religious groups.

Khalid Javid’s story is an inspirational one, typical of many of Mosaic’s leading supporters. His father left Pakistan, arriving in Liverpool aboard the Anchor Line Ship in 1960, finding a job in a clothing factory in Manchester. Khalid joined his father in Manchester in 1965, before the family moved a year later to Glasgow. After finishing his secondary school education, Khalid passed examinations to secure an apprentice in electrical engineering at Govan Shipbuilders. After a short period of time, Khalid left the shipyards to return to full time Education to complete his further education and a range of higher qualifications leading to a career in accountancy. Professionally, he secured employment at the prestigious accountants, Nabi McMullan. In 1990, Khalid set up his own sole accountancy practice K A Javid & Co from a small office in the west end of Glasgow.

Thanks to his hard work, professionalism and determination to succeed, Khalid grew his firm to its current significant successful level. In addition to his major business activities, Khalid is closely involved with the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, where he served as the first Muslim Director in its 300-year history. In addition, Khalid has held the office of Secretary for the Federation of Small Businesses, he is an Ethnic Minority Business Advisor for the Forum of Private Businesses, and is currently serving as President of the Scottish chapter of the UK Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Khalid’s success has been recognised through a number of prestigious awards. He has been involved in many charitable organisations, including, Clinton Foundation, The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, Charity Education International, The Well Foundation, The Nusrat Trust for special children needs, City of Glasgow College, the Centre for African Policy and Research Scotland, The Children’s Hospice Scotland, The Al Hijrah Trust, East Dunbartonshire Council, Glasgow City Council, The West George College.

Mosaic’s National Director Jonathan Freeman said of Khalid Javid’s support: “We are thrilled that an entrepreneur like Khalid has committed to supporting Mosaic’s work to enable our operations to expand into Scotland in the next academic year. It’s our vision that young people from disadvantaged communities in all areas should be able to benefit from Mosaic’s award-winning mentoring programmes, and we are thrilled to be planning our expansion in to the Glasgow area.”

Find out more about our Patrons