Praise for QED

Speaking at their annual meeting yesterday, Patricia Hewitt said the charity had played a key role in transforming many Asian business from small-scale projects serving their own community into major regional operators.

She told more than 250 local businessmen, dignitaries and private sector workers: "The work being done by QED is immensely important in Bradford. It gives the South Asian community a sense of opportunity, ambition and worth.

"We are seeing significant changes taking place in Asian businesses and QED is at the forefront."

The agency was founded 11 years ago by Dr Mohammed Ali, with funding from local businesses, to support the needs of the South Asian community.

It now works with thousands of people across the country mentoring young businesses, teaching the unemployed work skills and training businesses in ethnic diversity issues.

QED's work was officially recognised last summer when chief executive Dr Ali was awarded an OBE.

Adeeba Malik, the agency's deputy chief executive, said: "We have taken great strides over recent years.

"In the early days QED catered for the special needs of smaller businesses who needed a lot of help with issues such as languages. Now we are keen to ensure that many third and fourth generations go on and break through into the mainstream marketplace."

Dr Ali said: "We didn't plan for QED to be in business 11 years after it was founded. We thought it would have worked itself out of a job.

"However, despite all the progress that has been made, there is still much to be done. Many from the south Asian community are doing extremely well and deserve recognition, but many still need help."

Co-speakers at the event, held at the Hanover International Hotel in Mayo Avenue, included Steve Cranshaw, deputy chief executive of Bradford & Bingley plc, and Ram Gidoomal CBE, author and chairman of the South Asian Development Partnership.