Social Mobility Champion
1916. Haris Kiani
Haris Kiani, from London, has been dedicated from a young age to championing social mobility opportunities for other young people from low-income backgrounds and underrepresented communities, including through his own social enterprise 'Jaago', a Microfinancing Fund in Pakistan enabling women from marginalised communities with the means and support to kickstart their own businesses.
Haris started ‘Jaago’ at the age of 16, which has so far supported over 500 women from disadvantaged areas in Pakistan. He also helped establish ‘Bubl’, which operates both as a digital platform and as a physical venture studio based in Pearson College, London, and is designed to support and grow entrepreneurs, student projects and early-stage start-ups that are attempting to make a wider difference to the community. Haris is also a board member and trustee for multiple organisations, including Greater London Authority Young People’s Recovery Mission, ‘EY Foundation’, the V&A Museum, the Mayor’s Fund for London, and ‘Al Quds Foundation for Medical Schools’, and has collectively helped lead fundraising appeals for charity totalling over £250,000.
In a personal letter to Haris, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“I was inspired to learn about your work, both in the UK and overseas, to support budding entrepreneurs. I was particularly impressed by your platform ‘Jaago’ which has helped over five hundred women in Pakistan to develop new skills and start their own businesses.
This award is a thank you on behalf of the whole country, in recognition of your exceptional service in giving young people the chance to grow.”
Haris said:
“I’m incredibly proud and humbled to be receiving this honour which is dedicated to all the exceptional people I’ve had the pleasure to actively work together to shift the needle and make our contributions across our communities.”