This year, my family marks its 50-year anniversary of living in this country. Originating from Punjab in northern India, my grandparents came to Britain in 1972 by way of East Africa. Having joined a workforce of economic migrants, they narrowly avoided getting caught up in a civil war when they were granted the right to apply for British Citizenship.
Their voices and experiences, like those of many in my community, shaped my early years. And their stories often reflected on the challenges they faced in settling into the UK, and on the race relations unrest of the 70s and 80s.
Inspired by them, I have pursued a 22-year career in post-14 education in which driving equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) forward has always been central. Today, I’m privileged to be leading the Education and Training Foundation’s (ETF) flagship leadership programmes and promoting a diverse talent pipeline in the further education and training sector.
