Omar Rashid has been appointed as the new president along with a new executive committee at the annual general meeting of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce (ABCC).
Neelam Afzal, partner and employment law solicitor of Wildings Solicitors, and Sapreena Kumari, executive director for admissions and student recruitment at Staffordshire University, were appointed as vice presidents.
Other committee members include:
Omar is the owner and director of The HR Dept at Birmingham and Wolverhampton, and he has been on the ABCC executive board since 2019.
He said: “I look forward to what is going to be an exciting year ahead. I am delighted to have Neelam Afzal and Sapreena Kumari as vice-presidents. It is great to have community veterans like Aftab Chugthai and Fajli Bibi on the board, but I am also excited to work with the new members on the board that have just been announced.
“Together, we understand our responsibilities in being the voice of the Asian Business community. To ensure that we provide the very best platform Asian businesses can benefit from. As a board we will strive to ensure we maximise new partnerships and new opportunities ensuring we provide value for our members.”
Omar graduated from Coventry university in 2006 after acquiring a business management degree and a masters degree in human resource management. After working across public, private and third party sectors in HR and recruitment, he started his own HR Business in 2018 with The HR Dept. The business focuses on providing HR and Recruitment services to SMEs.
Omar is also a co-founder of The Networking Clubs and a radio presenter on Unity FM. His show ‘The Business Hour’ explores the challenges and themes within the business world.
He has been serving as co-president alongside Amina Hussain of SME Outsourcing since September, after Dr Jason Wouhra stepped down.
Henrietta Brealey, CEO of GBCC, said: “The ABCC is a dynamic part of our Chamber family as a leading network for, and gateway to engaging with, the region’s Asian business community.
“I am delighted welcome our new committee members and Presidents team. Together with ABCC director Anjum Khan, they bring a wide range of skills, industry experience and perspectives to the leadership of this influential organisation - it’s set to be an exciting year.
“I’d also like to thank our outgoing co-president, Amina Hussain and the committee members completing their terms this year.
“From providing free support to local SMEs during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, to championing local hospitality businesses and networking and connecting the Asian business community, they have all contributed a huge amount to the success of this organisation and of the local business community."
The ABCC has over 170 members and 1020 members from 230 businesses have attended ABCC events in the last year.
