A BRADFORD woman has been nominated as the new High Sheriff of West Yorkshire for 2024-5.

It is yet another moment of success for Prof Adeeba Malik CBE DL, who has worked with the Bradford ethnic minority-led charity, QED Foundation, for more than 32 years.

The deputy chief executive has helped QED Foundation become one of the most influential organisations of its kind in the UK.

Now, she will take office at the High Sheriff Declarations ceremony in March 2024.

Born in Bradford, her father was a Pakistani immigrant who taught himself English under a street light in the city of Sialkot before emigrating to Bradford in 1957, working in the mills. 

Her mother came to Bradford in 1966.

Adeeba began as a teacher in Bradford and Hull, and has dedicated her career to creating social and economic opportunity for minority ethnic groups in the UK in the face of prejudice. 

In addition to her role at QED, Adeeba has held numerous ministerial and non-ministerial roles on various boards in Bradford, Yorkshire, and nationally over the last 25 years, working across Whitehall.

Some of these include Yorkshire Forward, The Waterways Trust, Ethnic Minority Business Taskforce, Sheffield Hallam University, Carer’s Resource, 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 Strategic Race Advisory Board, director of the Bradford Culture Company, member of a State Honours Committee, and member of Nurture Academies Trust.  She is a visiting professor at York St John University and a deputy lieutenant for West Yorkshire.

Adeeba has won many accolades and awards over the years and was named on the Top 50 Northern Power List for Women. 

In 2023, she was the recipient of Woman and Home magazine’s, Amazing Woman Award.

Adeeba received the MBE in 2004, and a CBE in 2015 for her contribution to mainstream public bodies.

 he Office of High Sheriff is carried out on a wholly voluntary basis. It is a non-political one-year role appointed by The Crown that represents the King in West Yorkshire in upholding all matters related to the judiciary and law and order. 

Dr Mohammed Ali OBE, CEO of the QED Foundation, said: “I’m immensely proud of Adeeba and all her achievements over the years. This nomination is testament to her passion, integrity and dedication; qualities that have played a vital role over the years helping to make QED the force of good it is today.” 

Adeeba said: “I’m deeply honoured to be nominated for this prestigious role.”