Celebrating Britain's 101 Most Influential Asians 2021

In association with edwardian hotel

© Asian Media Group - 2024

#GG2PowerList

Lord Kamlesh Patel


winners

LORD Kamlesh Patel of Bradford – from humble roots to being peerless in effecting change.

He is much in demand, and my Lord Patel of Bradford, rarely says no to a request which would make the world a better place.

Even on New Year’s Day 2021, at 11.57pm, this professorial fellow of mental and public health, engaged with the GG2 Power List. When we asked why he was still working at this time of night when most of us are in bed asleep, he responded “Old habits…!”

After 40 years of public service, anyone else would be thinking of retiring. Not Baron Kamlesh Kumar Patel of Bradford. You just have to read his back story to understand why.

2020 was a big milestone, in many ways. This humble Yorkshireman, and he is fiercely proud of his county, turned 60. He stepped down as deputy-chair and senior independent director of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB); celebrated his first term as chair of Social Work England (SWE); and took on some influential roles in the health and mental health sector, on top of being a much sought-after change management consultant and academic, as well as having duties as a working lifetime peer.

We must also not forget he loves his movies, so being the deputy chair of the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) may be more of a passion than a job? And he is patron to dozens of charities. Finally, he is an active hands-on grandfather.

While most of us will spend seven hours a day in our job, this former ambulanceman and social worker will undertake regular 12-hour shifts. He admits to easing up – it used to be 18 hours a day. Some concession.

“Hard work has never been an issue. That’s come from my mum

To continue reading, please register

REGISTER REGISTER
Already register? Login