The British Asian Trust announced the appointment of Aatif Hassan, Khatun Sapnara, and Shonnel Malani to its Board of Trustees earlier this month. Their shared passion for the Trust’s work and unique expertise will play a pivotal role in overseeing the success of the organisation, driving impact and fulfilling its strategic objectives. The first person of Bangladeshi heritage to serve on the British Asian Trust’s Board, Her Honour Judge Khatun Sapnara, is an experienced Circuit Judge and Deputy High Court Judge with a remarkable 24-year career as a barrister. Her invaluable service extends to the expert government advisory body, the Family Justice Council, where she contributed to significant developments in the law. Khatun's dedication to charitable causes is evident in her long history of serving on the Boards of various charitable organisations. She currently holds the esteemed position of the Lord Chief Justice’s nominated Trustee of The Access To Justice Foundation. Shonnel Malani brings over two decades of leadership experience in the financial and private equity sectors.
Asian Voice spoke exclusively to Khatun Sapnara.
Please tell us about yourself, your background and your family.
I am a Circuit Judge and a Deputy High Court Judge following a 24-year career as a barrister. I have advised successive governments on legal issues including as an expert on the Family Justice Council, where I’ve contributed to significant developments in the law and the justice system.
I was born in rural Sylhet, Bangladesh. I came to England as a child, following the war which led to the creation of Bangladesh. Members of my family were freedom fighters. I was educated in state schools and read law at the London School of Economics (University of London).
My three brothers and I were raised by our late parents to have ambition for ourselves but to also do whatever we could to make a difference and to improve and empower the lives of those facing disadvantage, adversity and discrimination. I have endeavoured to instil similar values in my two sons. I have a keen interest and dedication to charitable causes and have served on the Boards of several charities including as the Lord Chief Justice’s nominated Trustee of The Access To Justice Foundation.
What are your objectives aligned with those of the British Asian Trust that will help you fulfil your role?
Our outlook is aligned, in that to have the greatest possible impact on the scale and complexity of the challenges in South Asia, we need to think differently about them. The British Asian Trust believes there is a need to disrupt the traditional development agenda and seek new, effective solutions. It works in partnership to design and deliver programmes, raise funds and convene partnerships that combine new social finance tools, philanthropy and technology to deliver impact at scale. Like my work, their work is people-focused, addressing inequalities and seeking to make real changes for the communities served.
- What aspect of the British Asian Trust appeals to you?
I admire the British Asian Trust’s drive to deliver tangible impact and reach as many vulnerable people as possible. The Trust is a leader in employing social finance to deliver impact at scale. For example, its Quality Education India Development Impact bond is the world’s largest education bond and has improved learning for 200,000 children in India so far. More recently the Trust set up its Skill Impact Bond which will support 50,000 young people and women in India with skills, training and access to wage employment.
Always ambitious, again something that resonates, the Trust also delivered an aid Match campaign with the UK Government, securing £4m to enable a major Livelihoods programme to create jobs for thousands of women in Pakistan.
The Trust’s most recent programme - The Climate Innovation Fund in Bangladesh excites me. It supports innovative local solutions working to mitigate the ongoing threats of climate change and enhance climate resilience in Bangladesh. I love how The British Asian Trust is looking for new solutions to solve existing problems.
- The Trust has time and again helped Asian countries in times of crisis and also celebrated the community. How would you like to move forward?
The British Asian Trust did a tremendous job, especially during the pandemic. Its India Oxygen Appeal and Recovery Fund raised over £9m and helped 2.3 million people. It was around the same time, that they also launched their British Asian Heroes campaign celebrating the terrific work British Asians were contributing to the community.
The British Asian Trust has continued to innovate in the way it raises funds and delivers programmes to transform the lives of vulnerable communities and individuals in South Asia. I look forward to working with the British Asian Trust as it rolls out its impressive plans to continue delivering its important work. Being a global pioneer in social finance, with a strong track record of driving successful collaborations and applying social finance approaches to solve social and economic challenges in South Asia, it is now building its portfolio even further. I am particularly excited about being a part of this.
- Why is the smooth functioning of such organisations imperative for Asians back home?
The Trust allows South Asian diaspora members to maintain emotional links to countries and give back to society. They can support the Trust confidently knowing that the agenda of the British Asian Trust is ensuring achieving the greatest impact using those funds. This is clearly established by the almost 12 million people the Trust has reached so far. My role as a Trustee for the charity is to offer guidance in the direction of a charity and to ensure its purpose is carried out. Organisations such as the British Asian Trust aid economic growth and social progress, contributing towards real progress in South Asian countries.
