Category: Awards

Mosaic Board Member Harris Bokhari OBE named amongst London’s most influential figures

Original article published on 14 September 2016 on Mosaic

Mosaic was delighted prominent members of our network were recognised at the Evening Standard Progress 1000 awards, including Board Member Harris Bokhari OBE. The awards were established to highlight London’s most influential figures across a number of areas including equality, medicine and the arts.

Mosaic’s founder HRH The Prince of Wales, was named Londoner of the Decade in recognition of his tireless campaigning and promoting of all that is great about London and the United Kingdom, as well as for his 40-year commitment to charity via the work of The Princes’ Trust, of which Mosaic is now a part of.

Mayor of London and Mosaic Ambassador Sadiq Khan, was named Londoner of the Year. The judges said that his journey from being the son of a bus driver to one of the most influential political positons in the country was a powerful symbol of London as a city of diversity and opportunity. Mayor Khan mentioned the great work of Mosaic in his acceptance speech.

Our board member, Harris Bokhari OBE, was hailed as an Equality Champion for his work promoting education and integration with Mosaic and the Naz Legacy Foundation. The first Muslim to win the prestigious Beacon Award for Philanthropy, Harris has previously been described by Political Strategist Sir Lynton Crosby as ‘Captain Networker’, a title best demonstrated by his organisation of the now-famous interfaith event held earlier this year at Lambeth Palace with the Chief Rabbi, The Mayor of London and The Archbishop of Canterbury. It was at that event that Chief Rabbi Ephraim Maivis described Harris as ‘someone who comes up with great ideas, and with his sheer determination sees it through to its fruitful and successful conclusion’.

Harris said: “It’s always pleasing to be recognised for the work that you do and I’m very proud to be listed alongside some truly inspiring members of London’s diverse community. I don’t think that it’s a coincidence that several of the awards were given to people with significant connections with Mosaic. As part of the Prince’s Trust, Mosaic has proved that inclusivity, hard-work and care can be transformative and the recognition received via these awards, is testament to Mosaic’s continuing success.”

Martina Milburn CBE, CEO of the Prince’s Trust, was named as a Social Crusader under the Equality Champions category.

Congratulations Harris Bokhari OBE

Original article published on 23 June 2015 on OBV

Harris Bokhari, is a young man who is clearly going places. An accountant by profession, Bokhari has found his calling by nurturing young talent, particularly those from BME communities. He’s the CEO of Patchwork UK, which undertakes master classes in civic engagement, and it also runs an ‘MP of the Year’ award. Bokhari is a modest man, and rarely seen in pictures. So the picture we’ve used is of his beloved late father.

With his sister Hina Bokhari, Harris founded the Naz Legacy Foundation, in honour of their father Nawazish Bokhari, a campaigner who was the first British Muslim to run a secondary school in the country.

Now, for his services to young people and interfaith work, Harris Bokhari has been awarded an OBE. With his easy charm and steely determination Bokhari can call upon the top political figures to talk to the  young men and women on his schemes. He’s even become an ambassador for the HRH Prince Charles.

Well done Harris, your father, who also received an OBE, would be deeply proud of his son.

But, I think it was Mandela who said something like; ‘a man with vision does not stop at the top of the hill to linger at the vista for too long, because the long walk is not ended’.

Enjoy your journey to change our world.

Simon Woolley

Harris Bokhari awarded OBE

Original article published on 15 June 2015 on Mosaic

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​ ​institutionsfor 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.

Harris Bokhari – Harry Potter author among 33 receiving philanthropy honours

Thirty-three philanthropists, who have collectively given more than £100m, have been honoured for their commitment to giving in an awards ceremony in London last night. 

Original article written on 7 Feb 2013

Thirty-three philanthropists, who have collectively given more than £100m, have been honoured for their commitment to giving in an awards ceremony in London last night. 

Philanthropists ranging from Harry Potter author JK Rowling (pictured) to City philanthropist John Stone were recognised as Beacon Fellows, in the 8th annual Beacon Awards for Philanthropy held at Mansion House last night. 

JK Rowling, recognised for the work of her foundation the Volant Charitable Trust, said the Beacon Awards were validation and encouragement for thoughtful philanthropy. 

“None of us who are privileged in our daily lives and fortunate enough to have more money than we need should require a pat on the back for the act of giving, but we do need help to spread the word that responsible giving can make a difference; to individuals and communities, locally, nationally and internationally,” she said.  

It is estimated that the 33 individuals honoured have given more than £100m to good causes, and raised an additional £21m. 

Fellows were awarded in seven categories, which included for the first time a specific award for ‘City Philanthropy’. Alderman Roger Gifford, Lord Mayor of the City of London, said that a tradition of valuing endowed capital and strong tax and charity law has meant London is an international hub for philanthropic foundations, and said such awards “can inspire others and maximise the impact of philanthropic giving”. 

The awards, which are put on by the Beacon Fellowship and JP Morgan Private Bank, are sponsored by the City Bridge Trust and the Pears Foundation. 

Award winners 

Beacon Award for City Philanthropy

  • Harvey McGrath – Chair of the education charity, the Prince’s Teaching Institute
  • John Stone – Founder of the Stone Family Foundation
  • 2011/12 Young Philanthropy Syndicate founders (Michael Harris, Adam Pike, Sam Cohen, Alex Dwek, Alex Gardner, Paul Gorrie, Niccolo Manzoni, Jack Prevezer, Conor Quinn)

Beacon Award for Targeted Philanthropy 

  • Paul Marshall – Co-founder and trustee of global children’s charity ARK 
  • Gordon Morrison – Chairman of Sargent Cancer Care for Children  
  • J.K. Rowling OBE – Founder of the Volant Charitable Trust

The Beacon Award for Philanthropy Advocate 

  • Angila Chada & Michael McKibbin – Ambassadors for the Community Foundation NI 
  • Harris Bokhari – National advisory board member for the HRH Prince of Wales charity Mosaic
  • Sir Thomas Hughes-Hallett – Ex-chief executive of Marie Curie Cancer Care 
  • Kavita Oberoi – Chair of the Global Girls’ Fund Board

Beacon Award for Place-Based Philanthropy 

  • Nick Ferguson CBE & Jane Ferguson – Founders of the Kilfinan Trust
  • Jack Morris OBE – Chairman of the Business Design Centre Group

The Beacon Award for Cultural Philanthropy 

  • Carol Colburn Grigor CBE – Manages her family-founded Dunard Fund
  • Lloyd Dorfman CBE – Member of the NT Board
  • Sir Vernon Ellis – Chairman of the National Opera Studio, president of English National Opera, chair of the British Council, president of the Classical Opera Company, former trustee of the Royal College of Music and RCM Fellow

The Beacon Award for Impact Investment

  • Sir Ronald Cohen – Chair, Big Society Capital; former chair, Social Investment Task Force; former chair Commission on Unclaimed Assets; co-founder and former Chair, Bridges Ventures; and fo-founder and former director, Social Financial UK.
  • Nick O’Donohoe – CEO of Big Society Capital and on the board of the Global Impact Investing Network
  • John Pontin OBE & Wendy Stephenson – founders of Converging World charity

Beacon Award for Pioneering Philanthropy 

  • Richard Bradbury CBE – Fundamental supporter of the charity Scope
  • Stephen Dawson OBE – Co-founder of Impetus Trust
  • Michael Norton OBE – Founder of over 40 charities including Youthbank and http://www.buzzbnk.org
  • Marcelle Speller OBE – founder of Localgiving.com

Four special awards for the highest standards of philanthropy in the UK 

  • Sir Vernon Ellis 
  • Harvey McGrath – Chair of the education charity, the Prince’s Teaching Institute
  • J.K. Rowling OBE 
  • John Stone 

– See more at: https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/harry-potter-author-among-33-receiving-philanthropy-honours.html#sthash.PAz6Gkc1.dpuf

Philanthropy in 2013: Can Anybody Play?

We’re not in the business of telling people to give up their money, but we do promote the idea that anyone can be a philanthropist. The word philanthropist isn’t just defined by the Bill and Melinda Gates of the world.

Original article published on 19/02/2013 Mark Greer Philanthropy Director, UK Community Foundations

Nobody would argue that philanthropy is a bad thing. But it’s understandable that in a time of austerity, some may question their ability to give, and the charity sector’s right to ask.

We’re not in the business of telling people to give up their money, but we do promote the idea that anyone can be a philanthropist. The word philanthropist isn’t just defined by the Bill and Melinda Gates of the world. It is also the person who gives smaller amounts in a thoughtful and strategic way. As UK Community Foundations, we’re familiar with helping people who want to give to charity at all levels – from people with average incomes to millionaires, and we find it encouraging that many people are still giving even in today’s tough economic climate. But as we learnt from the 2012 World Giving Index compiled by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), the charity sector has been suffering from its own double dip, and giving is down worldwide. So while we believe anybody can give, we know we have a job to inspire people to do so.

Earlier this month we held the 2013 Beacon Awards, which celebrated a group of outstanding philanthropists who were awarded Beacon Fellowships. Outstanding not necessarily for what they gave but for how, and where, they gave. The fellows demonstrated great diversity of giving: from Harry Potter writer J.K. Rowling to ARK Schools co-founder Paul Marshall, putting their energy and resources into fields such as health, the environment, education, culture, third world sanitation and more. We feel the Beacon Awards provide a useful marker for where philanthropy is headed. And looking at this year’s fellows, that means it is still going strong, but it is evolving. The 2013 Beacon Fellows show that good philanthropy is targeted at a clearly defined cause, and can also be ambitious and experimental.

The awards are not about congratulating a small group of elite people. They are intended to celebrate and, crucially, to promote philanthropy. Each Beacon Fellow has taken a different path to giving, and we hope their personal stories will inspire others to consider how they too can give at a level appropriate to them.

The fact that UK Community Foundations – an alliance of philanthropic organisations which connects donors with local causes – manages the Beacon Awards programme is significant. We do so because we believe that while it is important to celebrate the philanthropy superstars, they can also play a role in inspiring giving at any level. Zac Goldsmith MP, himself a previous Beacon Award winner, has said “it is not what you’ve got, but what you do with what you’ve got.” We also believe that philanthropy is not just about giving from personal fortunes. One of this year’s Beacon Fellows, Harris Bokhari, received a fellowship because he has achieved outstanding fundraising success – raising over £750,000 in the last year entirely on his own time. He has helped Asian business owners support neighbourhood charities, and he raised more than half of the £300,000 target for the Pakistan Recovery Fund.

This year’s Beacon Awards also celebrated where people give. Angila Chada and Michael McKibbin, who won fellowships in the Philanthropy Advocate category, are involved in philanthropy in Northern Ireland. Their willingness to talk publicly about their own giving has helped inspire a community in which, historically, philanthropy has not been something people wanted to shout about. Angila Chada set up the Raj Darshna foundation in honour of her parents. It is the Community Foundation of Northern Ireland’s first ever gradual growth endowment fund. Angila is an advocate for philanthropy not being exclusive to High Net Worth individuals. She gives a portion of her own salary, but also encourages her friends and families to invest.

What all these people -Paul Marshall working to provide excellent education for children in disadvantaged communities, Angila Chada setting up a family trust in Northern Ireland, J.K. Rowling investing in neurological research – have in common is the desire to give something up to help another person. Philanthropy in the UK is alive and well and we hope that the 2013 Beacon Fellows will inspire others to give to causes they feel strongly about.