‘Community Oscar’ for pioneering Luton woman
Dr Nazia Khanum OBE DL of Luton, a pioneering academic turned international human rights advocate, has been honoured by the UK Bangladeshi Caterers Association (BCA) at their 19th Annual Gala Awards Dinner, a glittering event held at the Westminster Bridge Park Plaza Hotel in London on 1 November 2026, attended by over 1,000 dignitaries and guests from across the United Kingdom. Dr Khanum was the first ethnic minority person in Bedfordshire to receive an OBE from the late Queen, Bedfordshire’s first ethnic minority female Deputy Lieutenant and the first ethnic minority woman to receive the freedom of the Borough of Luton. With 36 awards recognising her achievements which include ground-breaking work on promoting equality, dealing with bullying and harassment in educational institutions, tackling forced marriage and honour-based violence, and mentoring for diversity, the BCA proudly presented Dr Khanum with a special honours trophy and a certificate of recognition for her inspiring work in the community over many decades.
Dr Khanum commended the work of the BCA in empowering the Bangladeshi community to deliver top quality catering services which have transformed British culinary culture and make a substantial contribution to the UK economy. Many speakers commented that there is a serious shortage of qualified chefs from Bangladesh due to visa restrictions. Dr Khanum firmly believes that the BCA’s commendable support in encouraging women to come forward as chefs will help to resolve this challenge. Welcoming female chefs will give powerful encouragement to aspiring women leaders in the catering industry.
Dr Khanum says: ‘I am humbled by BCA’s prestigious award - it feels like receiving an Oscar for my work on community empowerment!’