Mina was born in Kenya and moved to UK at the age of 8 years old and grew up in Harrow. Mina is the Director of Assured HR Solutions – an outsourced international recruitment company which specialises in supporting the NHS and Social Care providers and provides outsourced HR services to small and medium sized enterprises.
Following a racial attack during Diwali celebrations at a Hindu Temple, Mina helped form the Hindu Forum of Britain in 2003. This encouraged her to take a stand and thus began her political career.
In May 2022, Mina was elected for the third time as a Councillor in Belmont Ward, Harrow. She helped the Conservative Party overturn the Labour majority and is now a Member of the Cabinet and is a Portfolio Holder for Housing, working on regeneration plans, supporting Ukrainian refugees, ensuring the vulnerable and elderly in society are supported.
Mina has a strong passion for diversity particularly, the Indian culture and integration of the community, she was previously a Trustee for Age UK and remains actively involved with several charities.
1) Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
I feel most at home in a space occupied by people I love and being in a calm, and peaceful atmosphere. I feel most at home in Harrow where I live with my community who are very kind, empathic and supportive and we are always there for each other. Whenever I travel, I look forward to returning home where I have lived all my life, the place that I was raised and grew up.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
Raising my son up as a single parent whilst pursuing my career aspirations was challenging. My journey was tough but I stood by the values and principles my father instilled in me. I’m proud that my son is now a Consultant Geriatrician in a London Hospital.
I’m also very proud of my company Assured HR Solutions, which has expanded significantly over the last 2 years. We are now working to support Nurses across the globe to work in the NHS and Social Care in the UK. It’s a rewarding feeling helping people with a life changing opportunity to work in the UK.
3) What inspires you?
I’m inspired to support people get the opportunities they need in life so they can reach their full potential. We live in a world where inequalities are endemic, whether it’s job prospects, career progression or healthcare outcomes. I try to support people through my role as being a Councillor, my HR organisation and the philanthropic work I do.
4) What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
Being divorced with a child, at a young age, was a taboo in the Indian community and at times I felt ostracised. However, this ignited my passion to stand firm and achieve my ambitions. Despite financial constraints and isolation from the community, I was able to through sacrifice and hard work achieve a successful career.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
My father made sacrifices and worked hard to give my family the best opportunities in life. I learned the principles of hard work, determination, self-confidence and perseverance from my father. He was a humble and hard working man who did a lot of community service. He cultivated the values of Mahatma Gandhi in me of helping others and working for the community. I thank him for these values and he is always in my thoughts.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
As a single parent I had a fear of the cost of living at that time. And now I’m helping hundreds of vulnerable people, many of which would be homeless, have security and a comfortable place they can call home. Being the Portfolio Holder for Housing is an honour, as I was in a similar position to many of the residents I speak to and so I can relate to them through first-hand experience and support them through there difficulties and give them optimism of what can be achieved in life.
7) And the worst?
Due to shortage of properties in Harrow, keeping people in emergency or temporary accommodation is the worst feeling. However, through our regeneration programme we hope to be able to provide long term and secure housing for them.
8) What are your long term goals?
My biggest long term goal is to make Assured HR an established healthcare recruitment partner for the NHS and Social Care providers. There are currently over 165,000 vacancies in social care, and international recruitment is the only sustainable way we can solve the workforce crises. I also want to ensure we support the people of Harrow through our ambitious regeneration plans to build more affordable homes for Harrow residents.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
We have seen tumultuous times in the leadership of our country. I believe a corporate approach to management should be brought in. With my HR hat on, I would like to see performance managed with transparent key performance indicators, accountability for Cabinet members and a clear code of conduct. Government Ministers need to show better discipline and accountability for their roles to ensure manifesto commitments are stuck to. .
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why.
Mother Theresa, for being a representative of universalism. She also believed in universal brotherhood and she loved all religions and said everyone must become better human beings from their own religious back grounds by doing acts with LOVE. She served people not based on their country, religion or colour or gender but simply based on need.
