Testimonials

“I have known Safaraz for over seventeen years, and as a close colleague and friend, I have had the privilege of witnessing first-hand the impact he has had on countless individuals and communities. Safaraz has been instrumental in breaking down barriers within Birmingham and beyond since the beginning of the millennium. His dedication and commitment to changing lives through skills and work are second to none, and his work as a social entrepreneur and businessman will leave a lasting legacy for decades to come.”

“Safaraz has always been at the forefront of social change. For over twenty years he has championed equality for underrepresented groups and people disadvantaged by financial, health, and social exclusion.  He established Pathway Group in 2000 with the aim to support disadvantaged people to gain the necessary skills, training, and qualifications to achieve employment. Under Sarfaraz’s leadership Pathway Group has been able to grow from a small one-office operation into a nationally recognised company with an £11 million plus turnover, employing over 200 staff members across Birmingham, Manchester, London, West Yorkshire and D2N2. As a social enterprise Pathway Group works to raise aspirations, boosting young people’s and adult learners’ confidence through positive action and change.  Through Pathway Group Safaraz has been able to foster a community of like-minded people who oversee social mobility in action, with over 20,000 participants benefitting from Pathway’s intervention since its inception.”

“Moreover, Safaraz’s commitment to social mobility led him to establish the Thinkfest Events initiative, which prioritises running events with a purpose that creates a positive impact in the world. He has used Thinkfest as a platform to change the way many people view apprenticeships. In recent years, there has been a low uptake of apprenticeships, particularly amongst the BAME community, as a result of a negative perception towards training programmes. In 2016 following government reforms for vocational training and apprenticeships, Safaraz made a concentrated effort to challenge this negative opinion by setting up several initiatives including the Multicultural Apprenticeship Alliance, a network of employers dedicated to addressing apprenticeship diversity through policy, advocacy and conversation. He also created the Multicultural Apprentice Network and the Apprenticeships Diversity & Social Mobility Forum, both of which serve as platforms for peer support and thought leadership. Perhaps his most valuable contribution to changing negative stereotypes has been through what is now known as the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards, which was established to increase the uptake of apprenticeships by young people from BAME communities.”

“These efforts have led to tangible changes within the training sector. The Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards have created over 200 role models who have used their success as a platform to celebrate their achievements in their apprenticeships. To date, the awards have engaged with over 1000 apprentices from BAME backgrounds across the UK. The awards are also widely recognised throughout the sector, with over 500 individuals in attendance each year. They have been essential in creating future leaders and ambassadors for apprenticeships and have helped raise awareness of the need for more diversity within particular sectors.”

 “Through Thinkfest’s other ventures including the Business Book Awards and Pathway2Grow Business Networking, Safaraz has enabled over 4000 professional and personal connections annually.”

 “Safaraz is a tenaciously hard worker who has a strategic vision and passion for fighting for change across several sectors. His business portfolio has only continued to expand throughout my time working with him. His care for the most vulnerable in society also led him to co-found Nationwide Care Services, a service that has catered to the need for consistently safe, high-quality, reliable care, and support for people in their own homes. He also champions a range of causes through his various other roles, including his roles as a shareholder and board member at F5 Foster Care and Nationwide Care Pharmacy, and his role as Non-Executive Chair for Junior Academy of Birmingham Sports (JABS) which supports young people to improve their self-esteem, leadership skills, and health.”

 “Social mobility is in the DNA of Safaraz, his mission to promote accessibility and professional growth has led him to become a published author and gain a tremendous following on social media. Safaraz published his ‘Canny Bites’ series with the intention of encouraging life-long learning within the business community by creating something that is accessible to all. Social media has become another tool Safaraz has employed to connect with others, and he is a hugely influential figure across business sector media channels.”

 “Safaraz is a true leader who has committed his life’s work to help and inspire others to achieve their potential, he is a champion of learning, growth, and opportunity, and it is hard to imagine what the training sector would be like without his leadership. With his background, it would be difficult to say how many individuals and communities he has helped to shape for the better. I believe that Safaraz is a true change-maker and entrepreneur, and I cannot think of a more deserving individual who is worthy of the recognition of the Kings Award. His tireless work in the Skills and Employability arena, his commitment to improving social mobility and his unwavering dedication to celebrating diversity within the business sector make him a truly exceptional candidate. I do hope that these few words will give you an insight into the strength of this truly admirable individual.”

Alan Hill

Chairman of Board of Governors
Pathway Group.