Professor Adeeba Malik CBE DL has made history as the first woman from an ethnic minority to be appointed High Sheriff for West Yorkshire.
In a historic appointment, Ms Malik took the declaration oath at a formal declaration ceremony presided over by High Court judge Sir Nicholas Hilliard at the High Court in Leeds on Monday 25 March. Adeeba,
The year-long royal appointment, which is non-political and unpaid, continues a tradition that stretches back more than 1,000 years. The office of the High Sheriff is the oldest secular office in the United Kingdom after the Crown and dates back to Saxon times.
The office of High Sheriff is exercised on an entirely voluntary basis. He is appointed by the Crown to represent King Charles in enforcing all matters relating to the judiciary and law and order.
Deputy Chief Executive of the QED Foundation, a Bradford-based national and ethnic minority-led charity, Ms Malik has been with QED for over 32 years, helping it become one of the most influential organizations of its kind in the UK.
Born in Bradford to Pakistani immigrants, she began working as a teacher in Bradford and Hull before dedicating her career to creating social and economic opportunities for disadvantaged communities across the country.
Ms Malik said: “It is a huge honor to take on this important role. I look forward to serving my home county and meeting the many different people who do so much good for West Yorkshire. We will be honored to support those who work so hard in crime prevention, as well as those in the public, private, community, charity and voluntary sectors who are making such a positive impact for the region.
She added: “West Yorkshire, like the rest of the UK, has faced many challenges over the decades. However, from my years of working in the county, I know that there is so much good work from so many different people, and I want to recognize that during my year as Chief Sheriff and champion those people who are doing great work across our country. community.”
As High Sheriff, Ms Malik’s more formal duties will include attending royal visits across West Yorkshire and supporting the judges of HM High Court.
Ms Malik has 27 years of experience in Whitehall, holding a number of ministerial and non-ministerial roles on various boards in Bradford, Yorkshire and nationally.
Some of these include Yorkshire Forward, The Waterways Trust, Ethnic Minority Business Forum, Sheffield Hallam University, British Waterways, The Cabinet Office Race Disparity Advisory Board and the Women and Work Commission.
From facilitating integration to shaping government policy, she has become a leading voice for the socially disadvantaged.
She is currently a board member of the Home Office’s Strategic Plants Advisory Committee, a director of the Bradford Culture Company, a member of the State Honors Committee and a member of the Nurture Academies Trust. She is Visiting Professor at York St John University and Deputy Lieutenant for West Yorkshire.
Ms Malik has received many awards and accolades over the years, including the Yorkshire Post’s 20 Most Influential Women in Yorkshire and the Northern Power’s 50 Best Women. In 2023, she won Woman and Home magazine’s Amazing Woman award.
She was awarded an MBE in 2004 and a CBE in 2015 for her services to major public bodies.
Dr Mohammed Ali OBE, Chief Executive of the QED Foundation, said: “When I founded QED 34 years ago, I set out a vision that ethnic minorities would play a full part in mainstream British social and economic life. I see this vision becoming a reality in all areas of life, which makes me very happy that we are on the right track.
The appointment of Adeeba as the first ethnic minority woman High Sherrif for Yorkshire is a great example of this. I am extremely proud of Adeeb and all her achievements and contribution to QED over the years. He is already a much-loved and respected force for good in our region and beyond.”
