First British Bangladeshi honoured with British Citizen Awards

Mansoor Ahmad, the first British Bangladeshi has been honoured with the British Citizen Awards (BCA) Roll of Honour January 2021. 

He received the BCAv – Medal of Honour for his extraordinary endeavours and incredible inspirational and voluntary contribution to the British Community. 

The BCA Medal Presentation Ceremony was scheduled to take place on the 28th January 2021, but due to the Coronavirus pandemic the ceremony has had to be postponed. 

Ahmad has received the British Citizen Award Medal, in addition to a prestigious virtual message of congratulations and gratitude by the committee. 

''It's a huge honour for me to receive this award and I am really happy that the British Citizen Awards recognised my voluntary contribution rendered selflessly towards the British community," said Ahmed.

"This honour and acknowledgement will certainly enthuse and motivate me to continue my efforts to the community in the future," he added.

He will also be invited to the UK Parliament at the Palace of Westminster to receive his Certificate of Honour when it is safe to do. 

Ahmed arrived in the UK from Bangladesh in February 2007 under the British Government Highly Skilled Migration Programme. 

He is committed to alleviating the suffering and hardship of those in his local community, applying his accountancy knowledge to offer free services to the members of the community and free business and consultancy advice for those on the fringes, encouraging them to embark on their own business.

Ahmed has volunteered as a school governor for 14 years, promoting cohesion and equality. To further promote cultural cohesion, he raises funds for national charities supporting education, integration and interfaith peace.

Previously, Ahmad was awarded the Mayor of London Borough of Merton's Covid-19 Award in December 2020 and he was also awarded with the House of Lords British Community Honours Award (BCHA) in October 2019, held at the UK Parliament, for his immense support towards British Society, having been presented with the Certificate of Recognition from  British Citizen Awards in January 2019 for exceptional contributions to society, and for being an encouraging example to other British citizens. 

Ahmed has been associated with several Schools of the Community, where he has been contributing towards the education of students, school development planning, and providing backing to the strategic discussion at governing board meetings. 

He has also been serving as a co-opted member for the Overview and Scrutiny Commission and Young Children People Overview & Scrutiny Panel under Merton Council. 

He has presently been serving as a Governor of Ricards Lodge Secondary School and St. John Fisher School, and is vigorously been attached with various school committees. 

During the challenging period of the Covid-19 pandemic, he generously supported the community by providing a telephone contact service for older civilians; providing medication, taking part in food bank projects, and offering advice on civilian welfare entitlements during the lockdown and encouraged universal support for the NHS.

Ahmed is also a member of the Commonwealth Journalists Association UK and has authored numerous articles published in prestigious national and international journals, magazines and newspapers. 

He is a qualified accountant currently serving as Manager of Accounts & Finance with Al Shirkatul Islamiyyah, one of the largest Charities in the UK. 

Mansoor served as Finance Manager with Chittagong Stock Exchange, Bangladesh for over 11 years. He also served as a visiting lecturer with University of Science & Technology (USTC), Preston University, Premier University, Southern University Bangladesh, Edward University & University of Honolulu (Chittagong Campus, Bangladesh) and taught at BBA, MBA and ACCA Levels.