Adeeba Malik becomes West Yorkshire’s 1st Asian Female High Sheriff

Professor Adeeba Malik has been sworn in as West Yorkshire’s first Asian female High Sheriff during a ceremony.

Adeeba Malik becomes West Yorkshire's 1st Asian Female High Sheriff f

"I look forward to serving my home county"

Professor Adeeba Malik has been sworn in as West Yorkshire’s first Asian female High Sheriff.

Professor Malik, of Bradford, was appointed to the role during a ceremony at Leeds High Court on March 25, 2024.

After the Crown, the Office of High Sheriff is the oldest secular office in the UK and dates back to Saxon times.

Professor Malik’s duties will include attending royal visits in the county.

She said it was an “enormous honour” to take on the “important” year-long role.

Born in Bradford, her father taught himself English under a street light in Sialkot, Pakistan, before moving to Bradford in 1957, working in the mills.

Her mother moved to the city in 1966.

Professor Adeeba Malik began working as a teacher in Bradford and Hull.

For the past 32 years, she has been involved with the QED Foundation, which works to “improve the social and economic position of disadvantaged communities”.

In addition to QED, Professor Malik has held numerous ministerial and non-ministerial roles on various boards in Bradford, Yorkshire, and nationally.

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. 

She received an MBE in 2004 for her work with ethnic minorities and businesses.

In 2015, she was awarded a CBE for services to community cohesion.

Professor Malik said: “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 positive impact for the region.”

Dr Mohammed Ali OBE, CEO of the QED Foundation, said at the time of her announcement as High Sheriff:

“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.”

Dating back more than 1,300 years, the 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.

The role also involves recognising people making a positive difference in their community with awards.

Professor Malik added: “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.”

Lead Editor Dhiren is our news and content editor who loves all things football. He also has a passion for gaming and watching films. His motto is to "Live life one day at a time".




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