THE investment banker Jitesh Gadhia, who was given a peerage in David Cameron’s resignation honours list in 2016, has tried to use his privileged position to be a voice for moderation and common sense on key issues.

Still only 51, his is often the hidden hand behind numerous initiatives. Lord Gadhia will circulate his ideas on crucial issues – such as how to reopen the economy after the pandemic – to key thinkers in the British establishment. Occasionally, he will get in touch with influential figures in government and mentor those he considers talented for faster promotion.

In February 2022, he was selected as the new chair of the British Asian Trust, a charity close to Prince Charles’s heart. Founded in 2007 by the Prince of Wales and a group of visionary British Asian business leaders, it tackles development challenges and inequalities in education, mental health, anti-trafficking and conservation, benefiting 6.6 million people in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Gadhia was chosen by the charity’s trustees, “together with HRH”.

He said becoming chair was “a huge honour”, adding, “The charity is one of the pre-eminent organisations in its field, using innovative approaches such as social finance. The outgoing chair, Manoj Badale, has done an incredible job over the past 14 years. I would like to thank him for his service; he has expertly navigated the charity from inception. His shoes will be large ones to fill, but I am looking forward to the challenge.”

He said the trust “is important for three distinct reasons.

Firstly, it harnesses the power of the south Asian diaspora. This was clearly demonstrated during the Oxygen Crisis in India in 2021. Its oxygen appeal received tremendous support raising over £8m from over 30,000 supporters and has subsequently converted into an India Recovery Fund to