If you’re an established leader facing any business challenge-lets talk. Seeking Foster Carers across Midlands region. BIO for Safaraz Ali MBE
Safaraz (Saf) Ali MBE is a social entrepreneur, having grown up in inner-city Birmingham, and he is proud of doing so too. Safaraz has been described as a driven individual with a sense of duty to change lives and do the right thing. Now, with over twenty-
two years' experience, Safaraz focuses relentlessly on adding value and delivering impact in all that he does. He started his journey as a social entrepreneur in 2000 by founding Pathway Group: an organisation committed to changing lives through skills and work. He has been Instrumental in Pathway Group delivering an extensive range of programmes starting as an ESOL provider then delivering the Train to Gain programme, Adult Community Learning, Youth Contract, Troubled families, the Innovation Fund. In addition to various European Social Fund activities, such as Skills Support for Workforce, Skills Support for Unemployed, Skills Support for Redundancy, Skills Support for Work Programme and English and Maths Qualifications to name a few along its 24 years plus journey. As the CEO of Pathway, Safaraz is committed to career development and progression through continual learning, reflected in all aspects of his ethos to business. Working within the Skills arena and the welfare sector, the group provides career opportunities through employability, and apprenticeships programmes. In 2012, Safaraz had the vision to be a leader of change within business networking. To achieve that goal, he founded Pathway2Grow: a networking entity with the concept of "Network, Learn and Grow". This vision was to serve business communities nationally. Safaraz did this by running free events alongside other business owners to raise personal and professional profiles to help grow businesses, the events are sub-branded as Chutney and Chat, Coffee and Natter, Samosa Saturday, Peer Meetup and Cereal Network and are run by
The vision became a reality when over one hundred events were held yearly in more than ten locations across the UK. Currently, there have been over ten thousand business connections established as a result of the events. In recognition of his position within the business and social entrepreneurial community, Safaraz has been invited to judge several awards.
• For the last seven years, Safaraz has been a judge for the Great British Entrepreneur Award
• He is presently the Head Judge for the Birmingham Awards
• A National and Regional Judge for the UK Government's National Apprenticeship Awards
• A Judge for Nachural - Signature Awards and the Summer Ball & Awards Entrepreneurship Awards. It gives Safaraz great pleasure to undertake these roles in an entirely voluntary capacity. Safaraz is inspired by the difference these events make in encouraging entrepreneurship and leadership development. Safaraz feels that he can be a role model for small businesses, encouraging wealth creation and growth. Safaraz is a co-founder and chair of Nationwide Care Services, a home care business working with NHS Trusts and Social services. Nationwide Care Services work on the hospital discharge, hospital prevention and various community care initiatives across both West Midlands and East Midlands with plans to grow organically and by acquisition if the opportunity arises. The Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards (previously known as BAME Apprenticeship Awards and prior to that the Asian Apprenticeship Awards) is probably Safaraz's most significant legacy. The work he has done towards the cause has laid the foundations for future generations. As part of this continued commitment, Safaraz is driving the Multicultural; Apprenticeship Alliance and Multicultural Apprentice Network brand setup to promote ethnic diversity within apprenticeships by sharing good practices and encouraging organisations to talk about the issues and possible solutions and signup to their DEI Pledge. Amongst other responsibilities, Safaraz also found time to become a published author. He actively writes "Canny Bites, " quick, informative, & impactful bites of business wisdom. His third book is titled 'Attract, Retain and Grow your team to grow your business and the fourth book is titled: Successfully Scale Up or Exit your Business.Many business owners and leaders alike have found his 'bites' genuine and refreshing, and with the growing popularity of his writing,
Safaraz now has his own Podcast titled 'Canny Conversations – compelling conversations with a cause'. Here is one of his episodes to get you started – reputation and brand: https://cannyconversationspodcast.co.uk/reputation-and-brand-podcast-by-safaraz-ali/
Safaraz has been volunteering and supporting grassroots community football academies as Ambassador and as a Non-Executive Chair and having a role as membership secretary for a bereavement service. Safaraz Ali is often called upon by media and local influencers to appear on podcasts, radio and local TV shows and write articles on topics ranging from leadership, people, entrepreneurship, and anything relating to diversity and BAME communities. Safaraz is active and a Social CEO and operates several other social media channels himself such as:
• https://twitter.com/SafarazAli
• linkedin.com/in/safaraz/
• https://www.youtube.com/user/safaraz/ over 800 videos – also see link below:
• https://cannyconversationspodcast.co.uk/cannybites-videos/
Opportunities:
OPEN to receiving invitations to be guest to support Local Digital media organisations, Podcasts and to submit an article for a business page or magazine. For recruitment related enquiries - find Safaraz Ali on Linkedin and also view bit.ly/TeamPathway
To read further: http://www/safaraz.co.uk
