GOVERNANCE

Paul Sabapathy, CVO  CBE born in Chennai and educated at Lawrence School, Lovedale (http://www.thelawrenceschool.org/) and Madras Christian College (http://www.mcc.edu.in/). I came here to study fifty years ago. Having completed a Masters at Aston University I joined ICI as its first non-white management trainee and held senior positions at IMI plc over a 28-year period. Subsequently I have been Chief Executive and Chairman in the NHS. I have served on many boards including on the Boards of Black Country and Birmingham Development Corporations and was honoured with an OBE in 1995 for my work in urban regeneration.

I have been richly blessed and had the honour of being the first non-white person to hold many high offices starting as President of a Chamber of Commerce (Walsall in 1988), Chairman of British University (Birmingham City University in 2001. In 2004 I was immensely honoured with a CBE for my contribution to Higher Education and Business.

I mention all of this to say this is a great country, which gives our Tamil people huge opportunities to succeed. I am a good example of someone who has succeeded having been nurtured and imbibing the Tamil values of hard work, modesty, integrity, valuing education and above all seeking, God’s blessings.

I am delighted to become a Patron of British Carnatic Choir. As someone born in Chennai I believe Carnatic music will greatly enrich the cultural experience of British audiences in the UK.

Cllr Muhammed Afzal , originally from Pakistan, s a Science Graduate from the Punjab University. He came to England in 1969 and settled in Birmingham with his wife Tazeem.

A passionate believer in education, the Councillor was the Chair of the Governing Body of Anglesey Primary School for over 30 years. He was also the Director of Birmingham Settlement a major Birmingham charity offering a wide range of services to Birmingham’s residents to help people gain the skills and confidence they need to overcome life’s challenges and bring about positive change.

Lord Mayor has a lifelong interest in sport which meant he was happy to Chair the Birmingham Pakistan Sports Forum, be a Member of Racial Equality Advisory ‘Group of the English Sports Council and become Vice-Chair of the National Kabaddi Association. He thinks it is particularly important to engage young people in sporting activities for their health and wellbeing. With that in mind he became a founding member of the Lozells Recreation Group.

Councillor Afzal was also a founding member of Birmingham Central Mosque and was involved during the construction of this Mosque as its Treasurer. Since then, he has been serving the Mosque in different capacities including as the Secretary, and as Chairman from 2014 to 2019. He is also a member of the Birmingham Faith Leader’s Group.

He has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for public services by former Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs, David Miliband in recognition of everything he has done for the City.

He was also awarded the Community Service Award by the Right Reverend Jessie Jackson (American Senator) for his long services to the community in Birmingham.

Sri Neyveli Santhanagopalan is an acclaimed senior musician steeped in traditional classicism. A recipient of Sangeet Natak Academy award, he is renowned for rendering effective concerts couched in ‘Bhakthi’ (devotion) and ‘Bhava’ (emotion), he skillfully elevates music to the pedestal of divine life philosophy. His excellent theoretical depth with extensive research of the best approaches makes him a distinctive musicologist. This multifaceted and versatile singer is also proficient at playing the veena and percussion instruments with strengths in ‘laya’ exposition.

​ Sri Neyveli Santhanagopalan hails from a culturally strong family, and was initiated into music by his mother Smt. Jayalakshmi Ammal. He obtained his early guidance from reputed gurus like Sri.Chembai C.S.Ananthamani Bhagavathar and Sri Srirangam R.Ranganathan. His hard work and passion towards music combined with the rigorous gurukulam training under Madurai Sri. T.N.Seshagopalan turned his musical abilities into a front ranking musician.