Profiles of some of our ambitious BritBangla members who are excelling in the professional and business world, ranging from budding entrepreneurs to talented aspiring artists. They are sharing their stories that are an inspiration to us all.

Abdul Ahad - Astronomy

Kamran Ahmed - Business

Monshur Alam - Filmmaker

Mashfiqul Alam - Student/community worker

Naz Hassan Choudhury - Business

Zia Choudhury - Humanitarian & Development

Shamim Chowdhury - Journalist

Saj Chowdhury - Media

Dishad Husain – Writer/ Director

Nurul Islam - Business

Perveen Kashem - Scientist

Raza Miah

Mary Rahman - Media

Zafreen M Rahman : Artist

NAZ HASSAN CHOUDHURY: Managing Director, Spice Kitchen Retail Ltd & Real Burger World

Burger bars can be found on every High Street across the country. Whether they be part of a vast, international chain of restaurants or a one-off independent fast-food joint, the menu will nearly always be the same; an assortment of meat patties smothered in condiments and snuggled inside a bun, fries, milk-shakes, and possibly a few other accompaniments thrown in for the adventurous among us who want a bit of variety.
The food is expected to live up to its reputation; quick, safe, familiar, comforting… and unhealthy.
But need fast food really be junk food? Does it necessarily have to mean obesity, acne and nutrient-deficiency?
This was the question I asked myself when I first toyed with the idea of opening my own burger joint. I was perfectly comfortable with all the other characteristics of fast food; I didn’t want my customers to wait too long for their meal; and it went without saying that whatever was on offer should be comforting and familiar.
But unhealthy? Now, that was something I just could not accept…
Enter Real Burger World. Situated on Clapham Junction, this joint serves up the juiciest, most flavoursome burgers, the tastiest fries and the creamiest shakes anywhere south of the Thames. Or north of it for that matter.
And guess what? Not an additive, preservative or drop of food colouring in sight. What’s more, the meat patties for the burgers are made up fresh every morning and the fries are made from organic potatoes. Not so much as a whiff of anything frozen.
Real Burger World is my very own creation and has been up and running for around a year. Through it, my team and I intend to turn the fast-food industry on its head and give it the shake-up that has been long overdue.
So far we have been working like the proverbial Trojans to make it a success and already we are seeing some really positive signs. We’ve even had rave reviews from the national press!
Before venturing out on my own I had worked as a management consultant, having completed an MBA from Cranfield School of Management some years back. As well as lecturing on entrepreneurship I acted as a consultant to Virgin Money, Monster.com, Cisco Systems and McDonald's Restaurants.
During my MBA I led a team into two competitions; we came first in the Oxford Venture Fest 2001 Business Plan of the year, beating 40 other competitors and we got to the final stages of The European Business Plan of the Year competition 2001.
Going back even further, I initially graduated in civil engineering from Salford University and worked for a number of years in that field. Some of my bigger projects included working as a project manager for Thames Water Engineering, working on the Jubilee Line Extension Tunnelling Project and working on London's Bank Side Regeneration, which included the Millennium Bridge and the Tate Modern Gallery.
As far as Real Burger World is concerned, I guess the food business is in the blood. My family have owned and ran a number of very successful restaurants across London since the 1950’s, including Hunza in Earls Court and Nazmin’s in Earlsfield.
My goal now is to establish the first nationally recognised fast-food chain serving fast food with real, natural and wholesome ingredients with prompt service and an inviting ambience.
But hey, don’t just take my word for it. As they say, the proof is in the pudding - or in this case the spicy lamb quarter-pounder - so why not drop in, take a bite of a Real Burger and judge for yourself!

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SHAMIM CHOWDHURY: Deputy Foreign News Editor, Sky News

A Fascination with the written word, a passion for current affairs and a shameless nosy nature were the personality traits that drew me to journalism in the first place.
I was a late starter by normal standards. While other aspiring columnists, news-readers and war correspondents were spending their formative years on local papers and hospital radio stations, I was busy strutting around in a white lab-coat, tapping away on a calculator and pouring iridescent, pungent-smelling liquids from one test-tube to another as I swotted, first for my science A' levels, and later for my chemistry degree.
But even in those days, over a decade ago, something was stirring inside me, pulling me towards a certain direction. I remember during Freshers' Week tentatively approaching the editor of Cub, the college magazine, in the hope of writing something. Sadly, due to that tragic combination of lack of confidence and sheer laziness, I took it no further.
After university came an internship in New York; six glorious months away from the folks and a blissful taste of politics, international relations, interviewing, writing, editing, re-writing and re-editing until I was well and truly hooked.
"I'm going to be a journalist!" I declared triumphantly to my friends as we sat in Burger King on Tottenham Court Road a few days after my return.
Instead I ended up at the Home Office. The Immigration Service to be precise - for five long, miserable almost soul-destroying years. Yet, as the years rolled on, the stirring wouldn't leave me.
Eventually I began to take some definite steps. I completed an A’level in English Literature (I figured this would be a good way to spruce up my writing skills as well as train my brain to think academically again) and started working for free on a local newspaper. Within a few months I was writing its entire arts and entertainments page.
Some time later, clutching a handful of cuttings, I marched up to City University and demanded a place on its coveted Newspaper Journalism course (well, not quite. I
applied in the normal manner and duly got an interview).
I got into City, got out of the Home Office and finally, after all this time, started getting the life I had wanted all along.
A year later, with City University done and dusted and under my belt, I went to The Daily Express, where I wrote my way through numerous sections of the paper, from
travel to personal finance to the gossip column to the news section.
Next came an opportunity to train in broadcast journalism. It wasn’t something I had planned – print journalism was, and always will be, my true passion - but it would be, I figured, another string to my bow. And so I broke off my relatively short love-affair with newspapers in May 2001 for a nine-month traineeship at London Tonight.
I have been working as a broadcast journalist ever since, mostly on a freelance basis.
I'm currently at Sky News working as a deputy foreign news editor, where among other duties I monitor stories of the day, brief and liaise with overseas correspondents and am responsible for incoming satellite feeds.
It's not quite where I thought I'd end up when I dreamt of being a journalist all those
years back, but it is exciting and challenging and, as the old adage goes, no two days are ever the same. So for now it suits me fine.
One paper it sounds so easy, but the truth is if I go into the number of times I have wanted to dig my nails deep into my palms and draw blood through sheer frustration due to the stress of hard work, long hours and lack of money, I’d end up putting off anyone else from ever entering the profession.
Suffice to say in spite of all the obstacles I’ve had to face over the years, if I had to do it all over again, I would. Without a moment’s hesitation.

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DISHAD HUSAIN – Writer/ Director

Directing was never my intended career goal. My earliest ambition was to be a Cinematographer and I started early by filming Theatre productions for my school video production unit when I was sixteen. After school I went on to University College London to study Physics to please the family but did a lot of student television on the side. Some of the shows I produced won awards at a National Student Awards and so I was lucky enough to take a good show reel to the National Film and Television School. There I studied Directing and was inspired by an amazing tutor who was an eccentric Aussie Television Director who had worked for the BBC.

They warn you at film school that life in the industry is harsh and I considered myself lucky to land jobs in low budget television as a researcher who had really good camera skills. I have worked on everything from Pop promos to Cop Shows and Documentaries on video games and eventually got promoted to Assistant Producer.

However most of the jobs were in factual entertainment and my real interest is in fiction. So I then took a big calculated risk by spending a big amount of my own money on a short film in the hope I could break into writing and directing drama. It seems to have paid off as I have won several film awards and have taken my film “Holly – Bolly’ across the world to film festivals in Toronto to Melbourne. The film is streaming from my own production company website www.imotion.com.

Next up for me is short comedy film specially commissioned by BBC films which will be shown early next year. Together with two pop promos and three factual entertainment shows I have a busy few months ahead but still have a little time left for my big project a comedy feature film script which I hope to start shooting next year…well, that’s the plan…

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SAJ CHOWDHURY: Journalist, BBC

I began working at the BBC in June 1999 as a broadcast assistant for sport section of the BBC News website. I did some writing but essentially it was cutting audio and pictures for the stories the journalists wrote. Somebody had to do it. When I started it was just work experience - I didn't get paid. It was a risk, but a risk worth taking. The boss, for some bizarre reason, liked me
and eventually I got a staff contract.

In 2000, the BBC launched their own Sport website; and the rest, as they say, is history. Because I trained as a journalist, my aim was to eventually step up to broadcast journalist level. I did so soon after the launch and have since covered a variety of sports, including Wimbledon, Commonwealth Games and the World Snooker Championship. But day-to-day I usually work on the football desk. I've been lucky enough to interview the likes of Paula Radcliffe, Cathy Freeman, Michael Owen, Zara Phillips, Boris Becker, Venus Williams and Steve Waugh. As cool as you try to be, it's still an honour, and an often nervy experience talking to some of these athletes who I class as my sporting
heroes.

My training was at Leeds Trinity and All Saints College which is part of Leeds University. The course ensured that each student did two six-week placements at media organisation. I worked at a big student newspaper and a local newspaper in the North East (which, is where I'm from). I have also worked at Galaxy Radio, helping out with the news bulletins.

You could have a first from Oxford, but a lot of media organisations, especially newspapers/news websites would rather employ someone who has experienced a newsroom environment.

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PERVEEN KASHEM: Scientist/Researcher

Well ever since I was a child science was my favourite subject at school - it was great, made perfect sense! My intention at the start was to pursue a career in medicine, when I didn’t get the A’ level grades I needed, my teachers suggested that a degree in Biochemistry/Biology related discipline would be a good means to enter medical research. I was determined to pursue my aims to study a science subject and work in the science industry. I was quite lucky, as I didn’t really have that many barriers only that my parents preferred me not to study away, so I decided to do a degree at Oxford Brookes University in my hometown Oxford. At the time of studying, there were very few British Bangladeshi girls going this direction, parents were reluctant, and I know my father did ask if I wanted to marry - I said I wanted to study first before I settled down, so I was lucky enough to be given the chance that many did not get and I had my parents support.

I graduated in 1994 with a BSc in Cell and Molecular Biology. I did enjoy my degree, and then I sought a job in research, unfortunately the ideal job for a fresh graduate is not always there, a year after graduating I worked for a DNA testing company based in Oxfordshire and I was there for 6 and half years. After gaining some valuable experience I decided to leave for pastures new and now I am working at Medi Sense (Abbot Laboratories), a company that makes blood glucose monitoring systems for diabetic people. My role involves researching the effect of common drugs (paracetamol and vitamin C) on the products. I have been with this company for the past two years.
The thing to note about diabetes, the blood glucose market is likely to expand because the government estimate diabetes to double - they are driving to get people to get healthier lifestyles, so I suppose science makes people aware of issues around this. The recent findings say that the NHS could be bankrupt in 20 years time, and the Americans think that their heath insurance companies will also be bankrupt given the rate of increase in diabetics. So diabetes is a serious issue and a lot of money will go into preventing it in the future.

My ambition is be successful but also help people at the same time. My true dream job would be to do something in cancer research and in my current role I am indirectly helping diabetic people. The thing to realise is, although I did not get what I initially wanted but I still pursued something that I have an interest in. That’s not to say you still should not aim high, I think anything is still possible if you are passionate and motivated enough.

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MARY RAHMAN: Public Relations, MR - PR

I completed my MSc in Media and Communications at the London School of Economics in 2001 and began my career as Press Officer of Theatre Royal Stratford East. I worked on a variety of culturally diverse shows such as Aladdin, black comedy Shoot 2Win, hip hop musical Aeroplane Man and Indian musical Baiju Bawra and discovered how much I loved working within the media, combining this with my love of the arts. Previously I worked as a PR Officer for ND Music Company working with clients such as The Dreem Teem and girl group Mis-teeq and whilst a student managed to secure placements across a variety of media from Sky News Room, Sky News Radio, The Guardian Newspaper, Kiss FM Breakfast Show with Bam Bam, Asian Women Magazine, BBC 1Xtra's Desi Beats and B Fashion Magazine.

In 2004 I launched MR PR, being Asian I wanted to do it myself! I currently have an extensive list of clients from the arts, film and music sector and have been lucky enough to work on some amazing projects with some of the most talented artists within the industry, eg A R Rahman, Shobna Gulati [ Coronation Street], Panjabi Hit Squad [ BBC 1Xtra]. To make a successful PR, you have to be a good networker and be able to spot a good story and although there are days when no one is interested and the press are sick of speaking to PR's. when you break a big story, it can be an extremely satisfying experience.

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ZAFREEN RAHMAN: Dance tutor, Thames Valley University

My earliest memory of performing was when I was 8 years old. I was literally thrown in front of a 200-member audience and was ordered to act out a comedy sketch by the famous Bangladeshi comedian Hanif Shonket. I remember I couldn’t see anyone’s faces except the whiteness of the audience’s teeth as they laughed seeing a plump, bob haired 8 year old girl telling adult jokes.
After immigrating to England in 1990 my dad started working for the Bangladesh Welfare Association in Hounslow, where, along with his colleagues, he would arrange a few shows. And guess what, I was there again, this time with my sister as my side-kick! I performed folk dance, sketches and singing. Later on my interest shifted from Asian to Western dancing. When I moved out for university I was able to gain more experience within the dancing and performing scene. I went to a few clubs and some university parties and I realised that maybe I could have something special. Then, a Bengali girl called Neha asked me to join her in arranging a fashion and dance show. She designed and I choreographed and the show was a success. Someone from the Duke of Edinburgh ceremony who was present encouraged us to audition, and consequently, in December 2000, we performed at the Barbican for the coveted ceremony. After that I performed in small shows. I also worked as an extra in the Bollywood film “Indian Babu” and as a choreographer/performer at a National Women's Day event in the East End of London in January 2001.

After university I was asked to perform the classic Indian dance kathak at a show celebrating the anniversary of the radio station, Betar Bangla. I had never performed kathak but the choreographer was friendly and I realised I was not too bad at it.
The show took place last November at Queen Mary’s University in East London. Ten minutes before curtain time I was told that I had to improvise a dance combining Asian and Western styles. I realised this was an opportunity to show people what I could do, but I knew that since there was no preparation time it would not be my best work. Still, I would give it my best shot. Unfortunately I made a very big mistake. I forgot to perform one of the dances! Apparently the audience went mental. I felt so bad. Extra pressure mounted to reconcile my mistake. I went on stage and tried to make it my own. The musicians would not stop playing even though I was telling them I was getting tired and running out of dance moves. I can’t remember what I danced or how I did it. All I remember was people approaching me congratulating me afterwards. That show was a milestone for me. I was repeatedly approached by Betar Bangla to act in short films. I also was offered shows from other organisations. I have accepted an offer to teach dance at Thames Valley. Everything is now gradually falling into place. The only tragedy of all this is that my parents do not know anything about it. Coming from a Muslim background, performing is far from an ideal. This is the contradiction in my life. I consider myself as a Muslim but this drive I have to entertain is inconsistent with my beliefs.
I thrive on stage. I know I have something special that needs to be polished. I am 23 years old now and I hope my time is not running out. At the moment I am actively seeking opportunities. Meanwhile, I’ll keep practising new dance moves, getting bruised up and
thank Allah for the inspiration.

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MONSHUR ALAM: Filmmaker

I am a filmmaker, born and brought up in Britain from a 100% Bengali background, one can say a true BRITBANGLA. I make it clear to anybody I meet, that anybody can be a filmmaker, as long as you can tell a good story, because essentially to me, filmmakers are great storytellers. I have had no formal training in filmmaking, I have not been to film school, I do not hail from the Spielberg family nor would I want to (ok, I’m sorry, I said I’d be nice). I am a merely a guy that wants to tell a story, a story that I have been writing since I was 15, and a story that has been developed and now is a film that is being made…But I’ll talk about that in a bit.

My second short film was shown at the National Film Theatre, making me the youngest Bengali filmmaker to have a film shown there. After two short films I decided to do the impossible and make a full length feature movie, and put everything that a young British Bengali guy would want in it, and I have done that…well let me know what you guys think when it comes out! It is a film that is executive produced by Peter Ellis, formerly of the Bill, and now a Director, having directed numerous programmes in America and on our shores, well known programmes such as The Bill, Eastenders and Casualty. The film will be coming out in the next few months, and it is called ‘Movies’, look out for it! (www.alambrothers.co.uk)

How did I get into filmmaking,well…A question I have been asked many times…its got to a point, where I have had to create some weird and bizarre reason to just justify the buzz and suspense. Nah, I’m just joking, but there is a good story to it, well I think its good, don’t know about you.

Ok, I walked into a bookshop and I don’t know what it was, but this book caught my attention. I don’t know why I picked it up, but I did, it was a book on Quentin Tarantino. I didn’t have a clue who this guy was, all I knew was that he was labeled as ‘Hollywood’s wildchild’ as it said on the front cover, I brought the book, and it changed my life.

I remember watching a movie called ‘The Hurricane’ starring Denzel Washington, and this character said the line, “Sometimes, some books choose us”, wow, that quote summed up what happened to me. Ultimately after reading that book, I knew what I wanted to spend my life doing…making movies!!!!! My way, and only my way.

The book was an inspiration, here was a guy with no formal training, no film education, barely a college education, who had written and directed his way into becoming one of the hottest players in Hollywood. If he could do it, then why couldn’t I.

Now come along and watch my movie, and let me know what you think. But remember, I made this film with absolute no funding, because nobody is prepared to give money to a 20 year old, with the most minimal but highly talented crew consisting of Jonaid Jilani, Quinn Pohl, ashraf Islam, and the support of my two wonderful brothers, Mohibul and Joy.

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KAMRAN AHMED: Business Development Manager for QS (Quacquarelly Symmonds Ltd)

Graduated with a marketing and business degree, I am now an Editorial Manager and Business Development Manager for QS (Quacquarelly Symmonds Ltd). My roles are, to run and manage international MBA (World MBA Tour) and Postgraduate (World Grad School Tour) education fairs, and to oversee the whole publishing process of The MBA Career Guide, a publication for international MBA students.

I started my career at Qs as a Business Manager where I liaised with US clients to develop new business. I then helped to develop a new product for the company now known as the World Grad School Tour. My success in these roles paved the way to my current position within the company.
The education fairs are organised in over 40 cities around the world to help international postgraduate and MBA schools to meet and recruit international MBA and postgraduate candidates. Travelling is a major part of my career where I would be required to run events in major finance based cities in various parts of the world.

Outside of work, music plays a big role in my life. I enjoy singing, song writing and performing in Hindi, Bengali and English. I have been singing from a very young age and my very first performance was at the age of 17. My musical tastes vary depending on the songs. My future ambitions are to release an album and to be successful in my career.

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MASHFIQUL ALAM: Student/Advisory board executive (Haringey Police Advisory Board)

I'm a British Bangladeshi born and brought up in the UK. I am presently studying my Bachelors of Arts degree in Politics at the University of London. I currently hold membership with numerous local and national organisation- As a Equality and Human Rights activist - I support and champion various political causes both nationally and internationally. As a British Bangladeshi, I am eager to see a greater degree of political engagement of Bangladeshis in the British political process.


I became the first British/Bengali youth to be elected onto the executive committee of the Haringey Community and Police Consultative group, an (Independent Police/community advisory committee). During his time with HCPCG, I held a position as Vice-Chair of the (Haringey Youth Consultation Conference Planning Steering Group), which was chaired by Dr Samuel Wynter. I served also as a sub-committee member before being democratically elected at the HCPCG AGM to become (Executive Member with full responsibility for Youth/Young people’s involvement and recruitment).

I am a member of the Conservative Party and have been an active activist within the local Wood Green and Hornsey Conservative Party. In addition, I am a member of many of the party’s internal groups, specifically the Conservative Friends of Bangladesh.

In my spare time, I am a trustee with various national and regional charities, including one of the largest LGBT charities in the United Kingdom. I am a trustee with Stonewall Housing, which provides secured housing and accommodation to young people from LGBT communities. In addition, I am involved as a trustee with Galop, which is London's largest Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community safety charity.

Furthermore, I take experience in other areas including mental health, young people, the aged population and minority communities in the United Kingdom. Over several years, I have sat on various boards, panels and community groups, enabling me to better understanding people from different communities. Furthermore, I have been a trustee with a local Citizens Advice Bureau.
I am actively involved in the World Congress of Faiths that brings together individuals from all faith communities- who are committed to building bridges between faith communities in Great Britain. In 2005, I sent official open letters to Britain’s Muslim and Jewish leaders- both Sir Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary General and Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks (Chief Rabbi) United Synagogues of Great Britain to urge them to work together to build vital bridges between Britain’s Muslim and Jewish community. My commitment to building bridges with Britain’s Jewish community.

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ABDUL AHAD: Astronomer/Space Science Researcher

I was born in the Sylhet district of Bangladesh on 15 December 1968 but then moved to the UK with my family when I was 9 years old. My interests in astronomy took off in the early 1980s at the age of 12, when I showed a notable leaning toward mathematical astronomy. When I was just 15, at the dawn of the present era of home computers, I compiled my own celestial mechanics algorithms for the precise computation of positions of planets, comets and minor planets from orbital elements.

My scientific interests later branched out into such fields as space technology, spaceflight simulations and models, space science missions and robotics. In January 2002, I founded the 'AA Institute of Space Science & Technology', a conceptual research institute dedicated to my own research projects. I have since undertaken a NASA-inspired program of self funded, self initiated pursuits in areas like rocketry and aerospace and remote sensing via tele-robotics. In August 2002, I joined the Planetary Society to further my participation in and advocation of global space exploration.

I am a member of the British Astronomical Association and my spare time interests include astrometric measurements of binary stars and proper motions of nearby stars, observation of deep sky objects and study of variable stars. In 2004, I was the first in scientific history to define an approximation of the cosmic night sky's total integrated flux ("Ahad's constant" of circa 1/300th of a Full Moon). I put forward a hypothetical human interstellar spaceflight proposal for reaching Alpha Centauri, by relying on the safety of Oort cloud objects for possible mining/refuelling. I conceptualised the mechanics for interior habitation of an asteroid - the "Celestial Titanic" - which would initially serve as a permanent Earth-orbiting colony that could subsequently be also used as a propelled platform for long term Solar System-wide, and even interstellar, exploration.

My first piece of fictional writing "First Ark to Alpha Centauri" was a motion picture screenplay, which proved popular in the world's internet sci-fi communities, and was viewed across over 50 countries.

I am the first person in scientific history to draw an imaginary sphere around the Sun of approximate radius 11,500 AUs (known as the "Ahad Radius" of "Ahad's Sphere of Solar Illuminance") which marks a boundary of equilibrium between solar flux and the net integrated flux produced by the surrounding cosmic night sky.

I have determined a net magnitude of -5.0 for the Milky Way's glow stretching across the night sky. I have derived a magnitude model for estimating the visual brightness of an extra-solar planet shining in the habitable zone around its parent star. I am also the first person to demonstrate how a particulate ring system around planet Earth could not possibly remain stable in the complex Earth-Moon-Sun gravity environment - quashing previous world opinions to the contrary.

My full details are on www.astroscience.org

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ZIA CHOUDHURY - Humanitarian & Development, NGO in Geneva

After gaining degrees in Geography and Management at the Universities of London and Manchester, I spent two years as a Sub Saharan horticultural trade researcher and part-time lecturer in development geography.

I then worked for four years as a manager of humanitarian relief programmes in Asia, Africa and the Balkans, mainly for Action Aid and Oxfam, but also with smaller local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). I have managed teams of upto 250 people, providing water, sanitation, food, clothing, housing and other basic services to affected populations of between 5,000 and 500,000 people.

More recently, I have spent three years based in Thailand as the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator of Oxfam's Asia programmes. There I was responsible for programmes including protection of refugees, disaster preparedeness, and rapid response for people affected and displaced by natural disasters and conflict.

I have conducted much media and advocacy work, representing the British aid sector.

I have managed humanitarian programmes in Bangladesh, India, Eritrea, Kosovo, Macedonia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Phillipines, East Timor, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Mongolia.

Currently, I work with a Geneva based membership organisation that supports humanitarian NGOs to make their work more accountable to beneficiaries of aid. I have most recently been advising aid agencies woking in Tsuanmi affected areas and Sudan.

British Asians are currently very under represented in the UK humanitarian and development sector. The reasons for this are diverse, including misconceptions such as "asian people won't be recruited", "the work is voluntary, they don't pay you wages", "it is not a proper career". I have heard all this and more. And of course, many of the first generation Asians (our parents), don't recognise the work as 'professional'. Well, I would debate that strongly.

The humanitarian and development sector is growing rapidly, as the number of people sufferring from the effects of war and natural disaster increases each year. This is the unfortunate reality, and as the NGO sector expands to meet demand, I would like to see more representation from Asian and Black people from Britain.

The work is meaningful, varied, challenging and can involve much travel and exposure to different cultures and countries. For many of us British Asians, we even have inherent advantages, if we choose to work in places of our ethnic origin (language, cultural understanding, acceptance etc). Most important for me, working in this sector means taking up an active role in protecting the Human Rights of people who are sufferring, because their Rights are being actively denied or because they are just simply being ignored.

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RAZA MIAH - Business entrepreneur (Barik Miah Investments)

1 of 9 children I was born in Bangladesh and came to the UK as a toddler in the mid 1970s. My father, whom has been in England for over 50 years, was one of the first Bangladeshi residents to settle in Northamptonshire. He came to this country with simply the clothes on his back, originally working in the steel industry and moving onto British Rail working as a railway trackman. I am not embarrassed to admit that from the tender age of 13 after school I worked in restaurant kitchens washing dishes, moving onto front of house in later years serving as a waiter. My father was made redundant in the early 80s from British Rail, worried about his future and without the security of employment, my father started to purchase run down properties with the view of selling them on for a small profit.
Yes, you guessed it; he had entered into what is now known as the 80s Property Boom.
After leaving school I was guided into the restaurant business by my brother Goyas who is 4 years older than me, opening The Raj our first restaurant in Kettering, Northamptonshire.
Due to my fathers building skills obviously our costs for the restaurant were exceptionally low. I decided to further my education as well as work in the family business in the evenings. With encouragement from my family this was all made possible. After my college years I even attended university, but this was indeed very brief, a few months in total, I think?
I continued in the restaurant business opening another in the small village of Long Buckby, a few miles from the resting place of the late Lady Diana.

Although the businesses were successful, I always had a soft spot for property investing and had always kept a close eye on the market for exceptional deals. I carried on purchasing the freehold investments of other food outlets dealing mainly with the Chinese and Indian sector of the industry. I even opened a further 2 Indian takeaways which I now lease.
I realised that it was important for me to continue my father's footsteps and for this reason I opted out of the food business and became a full time property investor, adding residential properties to my existing portfolio. I consider myself lucky for having a supportive family, all of whom encouraged me in my ambitions. Indeed I still miss the food business mainly because I worked as a chef for many years and I enjoyed the creativity in the kitchens.
It is my intention in coming years, to perhaps open a small restaurant or takeaway to fulfil the passion I have acquired for Indian cooking. I truly believe this is a great art.
I am very proud of my family all of whom are successful in business, and my brother Anawar Babul Miah who is a barrister. My parents are now retired and without their hard work and blessing none of this would have been possible.
I simply cannot imagine where I would be today if my father had not come to England when he did all those years ago.
Perhaps riding a rickshaw!

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