ABCC
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Contact: Anjum Khan T: 0845 603 6650
Worthy winner (L-R): ABCC president Saqib Bhatti with Mark Turner (Aspire), Tom Screen (Birmingham Airport), Raja Khan (Aspire) and Krishnan Guru-Murthy
A celebration of excellence at Asian Business awards night
By Philip Parkin and Dan Harrison
A Handsworth-based organisation which targets homelessness was a double-winner at the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce’s 30th anniversary dinner and awards. Aspire Supported Living CIC (community
interest company) has won the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Society’ award (sponsored by West Midland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association), as well as the overall ‘Business of the Year’ category (sponsored by Birmingham Airport). Aspire has scooped these awards even though
it was only established in 2014, but now provides 300 supported accommodation bed spaces to adult and young people, in Birmingham, Coventry and Solihull. The business says that in the past three years,
it has gone from being a ‘blank piece of paper to an established community focused not-for-profit organisation’. It supports more than 1,000 vulnerable individuals, has a staff of 28 and a turnover in excess of £3m. The business was founded by its current chief
executive, Raja Khan, who has decades of experience of working with those affected by homelessness and mental health, and also the refugee sector.
Continued next page... 38 CHAMBERLINK December 2017/January 2018 Citizen Khan is President’s choice
As ‘Citizen Khan’, one of comedian Adil Ray’s catchphrases revolves around ‘getting his award’ – and now he has. Adil Ray was born in Birmingham, and was
brought up in Yardley. He joined the BBC’s Asian Network in 2002, and has moved on to many other projects, including Citizen Khan. Citizen Khan has now completed five series,
and in 2016 the show hit the road with a tour and the publication of a book – Citizen Khan’s Guide to Britain. Adil Ray is currently developing a Citizen
Khan film with Hollywood producers. The Brummie comedian is not just about laughs, though - in 2010 he presented the acclaimed BBC3 documentary Exposed: Groomed for Sex. Last year, he was honoured in the Queen’s
Birthday List and awarded Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to media and broadcasting. ABCC president Saqib Bhatti said: “A lot of
thought goes into selecting a worthy individual for the President's Award. I chose Adil Ray because he achieved exceptional heights as an national and international actor and was recognised in the Queen's honours.
Good Citizen: Adil Ray as Citizen Khan
“As a Brummie who has mastered his craft,
and showcased the very best that this region has to offer, for me, he epitomises the amazing talent that the Asian community has.” Adil Ray said: “When you do pick up any
kind of award, the most important thing is that your community recognises the work that you have done and there is nothing better than the city of Birmingham supporting me.”
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