Adeeba Malik’s contribution as a British Muslim woman to mainstream public bodies was formally recognised on 20 May as she was awarded a CBE by the HRH the Prince of Wales during an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, London.
The Commander of the Order of the British Empire is awarded for having a distinguished, innovative contribution in a prominent role at national level, or a leading role at regional level.
Adeeba said: “When I first heard about the honour it was a complete shock. I was humbled too. I hope it inspires others. I came from a working class background growing up in Bradford and educated at local schools. There’s a long way to go around equality and opportunity, but I hope this award shows what can be achieved.”
Adeeba began as a teacher in Hull and Bradford, and has dedicated her career to creating opportunity in the face of prejudice. Over the years Adeeba has worked as Deputy CEO of the ethnic minority-led Bradford based charity, QED, helping it become one of the most influential organisations of its kind in the UK.
From facilitating integration to shaping government policy, she has become a leading voice for the socially disadvantaged.
Her father was a Pakistani immigrant who taught himself English under a street light in the city of Sialkot, before emigrating to Bradford in 1958, working in the mills.
“My parents strongly believed in giving their children an education. I feel impassioned that everyone should have access to a good education and the opportunities to succeed. I fundamentally believe that if we can get the economic and social integration right in our communities then that will make a huge difference.”
Previously honoured with an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to ethnic minorities in 2004, Adeeba has held many ministerial and non-ministerial high profile national and regional board level appointments – often the first Asian woman to so. She spent six years on the board of regional development agency Yorkshire Forward as well as – among other things – chairing the Ethnic Minority Business Forum for the Department of Trade and Industry, joining the board of British Waterways and a commissioner for the Women and Work Commission under the Blair government.
Adeeba was one of only two Muslims in England to be awarded the CBE in the 2015 New Year’s Honours List.
