15/08/2025
We finish our celebration of South Asian Heritage Month with Raz Mohammed, Divisional Operations Lead & Head of Communities.
“From the villages of Punjab to the green hills of Yorkshire – my family’s story is one of courage, sacrifice, and unshakable values.
In the early 1970s, my parents left the warm villages of Punjab for the crisp, rolling hills of Yorkshire. They were barely out of their teens, yet they made the life-altering decision to travel thousands of miles in search of opportunity. Back then, communities across South Asia were moving to the UK, answering the call for labour in the textile mills.
For my parents, it was a leap into the unknown. The sights, the weather, the language—everything was different. But they adapted quickly, working hard to create a better life for the family they would raise here. My father found steady work, while my mother, with unwavering patience, took on the greatest responsibility of all: raising a growing family.
There were nine of us children in total. Nine! Yet my father still made time for us outside of work, and for the community he loved so deeply. He was instrumental in setting up several places of worship in our town, leading fundraising efforts and inspiring others to get involved.
My parents’ commitment to education was relentless. Whether it was reading the Quran in Arabic, writing stories, or slogging through homework, they made sure we understood the value of learning. They passed on more than just academic discipline—they gave us languages, culture, and pride in our heritage. I speak two languages fluently, and it remains a core part of my identity.
Their sacrifices shaped us. Out of nine children, all earned university degrees. Two became doctors, one a lawyer, two CEOs, and others senior leaders or entrepreneurs in London, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and our hometown. The foundations of our success rest firmly on my parents’ values: spirituality, strong family ties, community service, and hard work.
Today, I carry that legacy forward. I’m a leader, a husband, a father of two young boys, and an active community member. My work allows me to influence strategy, how we grow as a company, how services are delivered, set high standards, and measure the difference we make. Across the country, my teams help transform lives!
One story stays with me. I was recently speaking at a to***co control alliance, sharing how many people we’ve supported to quit smoking. Among them was a 60-year-old woman who had smoked for 48 years. She had never been abroad—most of her money went on ci******es and supporting her family. After nine months of support from one of our advisors, she had saved enough to take her grandchild on their first ever holiday. She remains smoke-free to this day.
It’s moments like these that make it easy to get out of bed in the morning. Every journey I take across the country for work is a chance to live out my parents’ lesson: help others, and everything else will follow.”
