British Bangladeshi Power 100 - 2012

Most of the forefathers of our Bangladeshi community were immigrants who arrived in UK from the 1950’s onwards. They came then and also after the liberation of Bangladesh, bringing with them large groups of their family, settling with their parents and spouses in the UK.

Ethnically the majority of British Asians come from specific locations in their home countries. For example over 90% of the people of Bangladeshi descent living in the UK come from the Sylhet district of Bangladesh. There are 153,893 Bangladeshis in London, which make up just over two per cent of the population and 55 per cent of all Bangladeshis in England and Wales.

In the present day the descendants of Bangladeshi immigrants are third and fourth generation British Bangladeshi people living in Great Britain. Most have fully integrated into mainstream society; in employment many have made a useful contribution to workplace diversity.

The British Bangladeshi Power 100 has been created and edited by Abdal Ullah and Ayesha Qureshi MBE. The British Bangladeshi Power 100 list represents 100 people whose ideas, example, talent, success or discoveries influence or positively highlight the British Bangladeshi community and/or improve the world we live in.

The list is divided into ten categories covering:

1.    Business Brand/Entrepreneur

2.    The Catering Industry

3.    Education Culture and Sports

4.    Community and Voluntary organisations

5.    Media

6.    Politics and Policy

7.    The Professions

8.    Religious and Community figures

9.    Women

10.  Emerging Influence.

Each category has 10 positions which are listed in rank order. The rankings have been determined by an advisory committee of leading Bangladeshi UK based newspaper editors headed by chief advisor, Mohammed Nobab Uddin, Editor, Janomot Bengali Newsweekly, the oldest ethnic newspaper. The list has also been consulted on widely amongst a selected group of leading figures in the community.

Abdal Ullah – Founder said:

“As we celebrate 40 years of Bangladeshi independence, it is time to recognise and celebrate the success of the Bangladeshi community in the UK. I strongly believe we have amongst us individuals and organisations with real influence that are making a difference to how the community is viewed by the wider public. This will be an annual publication and I will be seeking to build on its success year by year. My plan is that each person named on the list will have earned their place on merit and after we have had a confidential, impartial and thorough debate to ensure the list is respected and valued as a resource by the community.”

Nobab Uddin – Chief Advisor said:

“There is a small representation of British Bangladeshis in business and also local government politics, including nationally within the major political parties. But I must say that the Bangladeshi community is growing rapidly in the UK, and both third and fourth generation British Bangladeshis are contributing significantly in various sectors and professions.

As the community continues to grow this BBL100 list is long overdue and time to praise our achievement and share this with our own community living in the UK and around world and the wider British public. There are many hidden talents in our community who we hope to unearth for the 2013 BBPower 100.”

The 2012 list will be launched on the 24th January at a press conference hosted in Portcullis House, Westminster, London and will be published widely in the UK and Bangladesh Press.