Excellence in community services award

Safaraz Ali was Recognised in the British Asians Power 100 and was awarded the Excellence in Community Services Award

The Award Organiser Ms Rumessah Maria Saroya stated that “Safaraz Ali is a recognised leader in Britain’s social economy – a purpose-driven entrepreneur, author, investor, and community influencer whose work bridges business success with social progress. For over two decades, he has been committed to building enterprises and partnerships that empower individuals, strengthen communities, and drive sustainable, inclusive growth.”

Safaraz Ali: Championing Social Mobility, Community Impact, and Inclusive Growth

As Founder and CEO of the Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance, Safaraz has transformed a bold idea into a national movement. Established in 2017, the Alliance champions equity, diversity, and social mobility within the UK’s skills and employability landscape. Guided by his belief that “talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not,” the Alliance has grown into a network of over 100 employers, skills and employability providers, policymakers, and civic partners all united by a shared purpose: to make opportunity accessible to all.

Through initiatives such as the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards, more than 3,000 apprentices and 200 diverse role models have been celebrated, inspiring thousands more to pursue career progression and leadership. These awards have also influenced national conversations – encouraging employers and educators to build inclusion into design, not as an afterthought.

“Representation isn’t about tokenism; it’s about transformation. When people see someone like them succeed, it multiplies belief, ambition, and change.”
– Safaraz Ali

Driving a Social Economy that Works for All

Safaraz is widely known as the Co-Founder and CEO of Pathway Group, alongside Pathway, Safaraz leads ventures as a social impact investor, which together employ hundreds and deliver essential services across health, care, housing, skills and employability. Each business is built with a social purpose at its core – creating economic value while improving lives.

He describes this as the “multiplier effect”: the compounding power of doing good business well. Every individual supported into sustainable work, every home provided for someone in need, and every learner given a chance to progress creates ripples of prosperity that benefit families, neighbourhoods, and future generations.

Safaraz’s approach to impact investing focuses on measurable, long-term outcomes – from improved wellbeing and financial stability to community resilience and regeneration. His ventures demonstrate that success and social good are not opposites but partners in creating meaningful, sustainable change.

Influence, Governance, and Service

In addition to his social entrepreneurial portfolio, Safaraz plays a prominent role in shaping national inclusion and employability policy. He is the Co-Chair of the Equality Council UK, providing leadership on fairness, representation, and opportunity across business and public life.

He also contributes at board level to ERSA (Employment Related Services Association), where his insights influence how the UK supports people into work and develops the future workforce.

Over the last 25 years, Safaraz has held more than six voluntary board and trustee positions, serving on educational, charitable, and civic bodies. This includes his work with The Digbeth Trust, a cornerstone of Birmingham’s voluntary sector, where he helped to recognise unsung community heroes through local awards celebrating service, inclusion, and grassroots leadership.

For Safaraz, community service is not an afterthought – it is an extension of leadership. His civic work has focused on strengthening community infrastructure, amplifying local voices, and ensuring recognition for those who give selflessly to others.

“Leadership is service before status. True influence comes from helping others rise – not from standing above them.”
– Safaraz Ali

Sustainable Change and Measurable Impact

Across his ventures, Safaraz promotes a model of sustainable social change – one built on partnership, accountability, and innovation. He argues that inclusion and productivity are interdependent: the more we include, the stronger we grow.

His philosophy combines system thinking with community empathy: aligning public funding, employer engagement, and private investment to create lasting outcomes. It’s a blueprint that bridges the gap between policy and practice, ensuring that initiatives lead to tangible improvements in people’s lives.

This commitment has made him a sought-after voice in the fields of skills, social mobility, and inclusive enterprise. As Entrepreneur in Residence at The Open University, he advises on national strategy, inclusive innovation, and the future of work – helping shape an education system fit for a diverse, digital, and dynamic Britain.

Safaraz Ali’s leadership continues to inspire a generation of changemakers – proof that when business and purpose align, we can build an economy that truly works for everyone.