Our Trustees

Lancashire BME Network has a board of trustees from across Lancashire. Each trustee brings their own skills and expertise to the board to drive the direction of the organisation.

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Cllr Azhar Ali OBE

Chair

Cllr Ali, from Brierfield, started his political career as the leader of the Students Union at Nelson and Colne College before he went to university.

At 24, he joined Pendle Council, working his way up to leader from 2000 to 2003.

Whilst leader of Pendle Council, he was voted by other council leaders to be Chairman of the North West Regional Assembly.

I have been active in community work since the age of 17 and I always wanted the opportunity to serve people and help others.

Cllr Ali had a five year stint in as a government advisor, serving under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

In 2013, he became a county councillor before taking position as Labour leader for Lancashire County Council.

Cllr Nweeda Khan

Vice-Chair

Nweeda is a Councillor in Preston and is Cabinet Member for Communities and Social Justice. She also has an extensive history in Social Work.

Christine Blythe

Treasurer

Christine is the Chief Officer of Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Council for Voluntary Services. She also sits on the Lancashire Association of Councils for Voluntary Service.

Saba

Iftikhar

Secretary

Saba works for Pennine Oaks and takes part in a lot of voluntary work in Lancashire. She has a particular interest in refugee work.

Ishwer Tailor MBE JP DL

Trustee

Ishwer spent 25 years working in Business Development for Lancashire County Council’s economic arm. He was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Central Lancashire in 2005.

Sadar

Uddin

Trustee

Sadar has a background in housing and now helps run the Bangladeshi Welfare Association. He also has a knowledge of business development.