A British Muslim Woman Recognized for Her Tenacious Leadership

Ishtiaq Ahmed

London: Professor Adeeba Malik CBE DL is the first Asian Muslim Woman of Pakistani heritage to become  the High Sheriff of West Yorkshire for 2024-25.

She was formally inaugurated into the role on Monday 25 March 2024 at a special ceremony held at the Leeds High Court.

The office of the High Sheriff is rooted in history. It is an independent non-political Royal appointment for a single year. 

Its Origin dates back to Saxon times, when the High Sheriff was responsible to the king for the maintenance of law and order and for the collection and return of taxes due to the Crown.  Over the time, the role has evolved to assume a symbolic significance but nonetheless it remains highly prestigious . 

Presently , there are 55 High Sheriffs serving the counties of England and Wales involved in supporting the Crown in all aspects of law and order.

They take a special interest in the work of agencies such as the Police, the Prison Service,  the Probation Service and the community-led voluntary efforts dedicated to improving law and crime prevention. It is a service to the crown and community undertaken voluntarily without remuneration.

The role is trusted to Professor Adeeba Malik in recognition of her tenacious life long service to the community , a journey that echoes steadfast commitment to fostering social and economic opportunities for marginalized communities. 

Adeeba will fulfil her High Sheriff’s prestigious role alongside being the Deputy Chief Executive of award-winning Bradford based QED Foundation, a national organization that aims to improve the economic and social circumstances of minority/ disadvantaged communities by delivering programmes and influencing decision makers. 

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/refusing-to-be-held-back/

 Over the last 25 years, Adeeba has held numerous ministerial and non-ministerial roles on various boards in Bradford, Yorkshire, and nationally, working across Whitehall.

 Some of these include, Yorkshire Forward (RDA), Spirit of Bradford, Northern Ballet, British Waterways, Women and Work Commission, Lapage Primary School, National Ethnic Minority Business Forum, National Clinical Assessment Authority, The Waterways Trust, York Museum Trust, Century Radio, Sheffield Hallam University, Bradford University, Green Deal Advisory Board, National Muslim Women’s Advisory Board, The Home Office Advisory Board for Naturalisation and Immigration, Bradford Opportunity Area, Carers Resource and the Cabinet Office Race Disparity Advisory Group. 

Currently, Adeeba is a Board Member of the Home Office Strategic Race Board, Member of a State Honors Committee, Director of the Bradford Culture Company (2025 City of Culture), Co- Chair of Hollyn’s Wellbeing Patient Group and Member of Nurture Academies Trust.

Adeeba has won many accolades and awards for her work over the years, including the Yorkshire Post Top 20 Influential Women of Yorkshire, Top 50 Northern Power List for Women. In 2023, she was the recipient of Woman and Home Magazine’s “Amazing Woman Award”.

She was awarded the MBE in 2004 and the CBE in 2015. In 2022, Adeeba was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for West Yorkshire Lieutenancy and a Visiting Professor at York St John University. 

Despite her enormous nationwide overloaded schedule, she continues to enjoy her love of music, theater, cinema and walking.

 Expressing her profound sense of honor, Adeeba remarked, “It is an enormous 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. It will be a privilege to support those who work so hard in crime prevention, as well as those from the public, private, community, charity, and voluntary sectors, who create such a positive impact for the region.”

She added: “West Yorkshire, like the rest of the UK, has faced many challenges over decades. However, through my years of work in the county, I know there is so much good work taking place by so many different people, and I want to acknowledge that in my year as High Sheriff, and champion those people who do great work across our communities.”