LONDON: The Board of Trustees of the British Asian Trust has announced the appointment of Hitan Mehta OBE as its new chief executive.
Mehta succeeds Richard Hawkes OBE, who stepped down after 10 years of transformational leadership.
The Board expressed its gratitude to Hawkes for his decade of service. It said: “Under his leadership, the British Asian Trust has significantly expanded its scale and impact, improving the lives of more than 18 million people across South Asia. The board wishes him every success in the future.”
Mehta played a key role in establishing the British Asian Trust in 2007 as its first employee. For the past 18 years, he has worked closely with His Majesty King Charles III, including previously as Prince of Wales.
As a long-standing member of the British Asian Trust's senior leadership, he has worked closely with Hawkes to grow the organization into one of the most respected and innovative international charities working across South Asia.
Throughout his tenure, Mehta has been instrumental in the British Asian Trust's global expansion, helping to shape its growth in the UK, South Asia, the Gulf and, most recently, North America.
He has led the Trust's efforts to deepen engagement with the global South Asian diaspora, building influential networks in philanthropy, finance and business to strengthen the Trust's mission around the world.
Hawkes commented: “After 10 incredible years at the British Asian Trust, now is the right time to explore new challenges and pass the baton to Mehta, with whom I have worked closely over the last decade. I would like to thank the board for the privilege of being chief executive and wish the organization every success in the future.”
Expressing his reflections on the appointment, Mehta said: “It is an honor to take on this role at such a crucial time for the British Asian Trust. As we enter an important period of UK and global diaspora.”
