Shamim Miah from Beeston has been recognised as one of the top 100 British Bangladeshis in the UK at an awards ceremony in London last month.
The event highlights talented and successful individuals in sectors such as business, politics, law and sports.
Shamim was nominated for his work within local politics and community work in Leeds, where he has worked to empower and enrich opportunities of young people through his many community roles.
Whilst still at college, he was elected to the UK Youth Parliament representing 180,000 young people in Leeds and speaking in the House of Commons.
Shamim was one of the youngest school governors in the UK, taking the position at 19. He has most recently advanced his passion for education, by being appointed as a Trustee of the Cockburn Multi Academy Trust. During this tenure as a Trustee of the five schools, Shamim has helped facilitate improvements in education and soften the impact of Covid by making work experience more accessible.
Shamim is a big supporter and advocate of giving back to his roots and community. Alongside members of his family, he co-founded a youth club for British Bangladeshi’s called “The Bangla Square Youth Club”. This project aims to provide young people within the community access to extracurricular activities to improve their skill sets, culture capital, and experiences as British citizens looking to contribute to the wider society.
Holding a Master’s in Law, he is now finalising his qualification as a corporate finance lawyer at a Top 40 Law firm, Shoosmiths. Utilising his network, he regularly hosts work experience days for students who have an interest in pursuing law.
Combined with his community work, this has led to him becoming a multi award winner. He was named the British Muslim Young Achiever of the Year, the Yorkshire Young Achiever of the Year and received a Princess Diana Award for his role as a community leader.
Speaking about the award, Shamim commented:
“To be publicised in the Top 100 most influential British Bangladeshis in the UK is not only a great honour, but an even prouder achievement to represent my community here in Leeds.
“There’s a lot of great work being done within the Bangladeshi community in Leeds, and this is just one success story of many. I hope that this story inspires the next generation of change makers, and shows that hard work and reliance pays off!
“British Bangladeshis are 1% of the population in the UK, but the publication celebrates prominent Bangladeshi MPs, entrepreneurs and other successful members who have shown leadership and true Bangladeshi spirit to contribute positively to the wider society.”
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