Three South Asian women have been named as West Yorkshire’s newest Deputy Lieutenants.
A visiting Associate Professor of midwifery at the University of Leeds, Dr Kuldip Kaur Bharj OBE, chief executive of QED Foundation, Adeeba Malik CBE, and retired law partner and governor at Leeds Trinity University, Roohi Sultana Collins, have been announced as one of six new Deputy Lieutenants.
Chief Constable John Robins QPM, HH Roger Thomas QC, and Suzanne Watson have also been announced as Deputy Lieutenant.
Deputy Lieutenants are appointed by the Lord-Lieutenant and come from all walks of life, from across the county and serve until the age of 75.
Deputy Lieutenants assist the Lord-Lieutenant in conducting his role as The Queen’s representative.
Out of 69 of the current Deputy Lieutenants, less than 10% of women were of South Asian heritage.
Current female South Asian DLs include Sofia Buncy MBE, Amina Hasan, Dr Nima Poovaya-Smith, and Wahida Shaffi.
Dr Bharj is a British midwife and academic, currently employed as a maternity investigator by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch and is a Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Leeds. She is also a trustee of the Foundation of Nursing Studies.
Dr Bharj said: “I am humbled and at the same time honoured to be appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant for West Yorkshire.
“I look forward to serving the community, the Queen, and the Lord-Lieutenant.
“I am thrilled to undertake this role and I am encouraged to have been provided with an opportunity to continue my commitment to work with communities and make a difference to the community and society as a whole.”
Roohi Collins is a retired partner at DAC Beachcroft, where she worked for 30 years, specialising in professional indemnity, education-related matters and the recruitment, training and mentoring of new solicitors.
She is a trustee at Leeds Community Foundation and a governor at Leeds Trinity University.
Ms Collins said: “I am honoured to be appointed as a DL and deeply grateful to the Lord Lieutenant for thinking of me.
“I look forward to supporting him in raising aspirations and connecting with the diverse communities of West Yorkshire.”
Adeeba Malik was awarded an MBE for her work with ethnic minorities and businesses and the CBE for services to community cohesion.
Ms Malik is governor of Sheffield Hallam University and director of Northern Ballet.
Currently, she is on the board of The Race Advisory Group at the Home Office, board member of the Bradford 2025 City of Culture Bid, trustee of the York Museum Trust and Carers Resource, Ambassador for Trinity College London, and member of an Honours Committee at the Cabinet Office.
Ms Malik said: “I am honoured to be appointed as DL for West Yorkshire, a place I have worked in for over 30 years.
“I look forward to supporting the Lord-Lieutenant and working with other colleagues, many of whom I know, and have the opportunity to see the wonderful work taking place in our communities.”
Ed Anderson, Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, said: “Many congratulations to my six new Deputy Lieutenants. I look forward to working with you all.”
