Project to create jobs in Bradford aims to gain support from 130 firms

AN initiative to bring jobs and investment to the heart of Bradford aims to have gained support from 130 small firms by 2025.
(Left to right) Imran Ali, Chief Creative Officer for Impact Hub Bradford , Kamran Rashid (Chief Executive Officer)  and Mandip Sahota (Chief Operating Officer)  Picture: Jon Eland(Left to right) Imran Ali, Chief Creative Officer for Impact Hub Bradford , Kamran Rashid (Chief Executive Officer)  and Mandip Sahota (Chief Operating Officer)  Picture: Jon Eland
(Left to right) Imran Ali, Chief Creative Officer for Impact Hub Bradford , Kamran Rashid (Chief Executive Officer) and Mandip Sahota (Chief Operating Officer) Picture: Jon Eland

Impact Hub Bradford, a community interest company, has been set up to promote social innovation, enterprise, ideas incubation and business development, by offering entrepreneurs the chance to collaborate.

Bradford is the third UK city with Impact Hub status, joining London and Inverness in providing access to a global network of more than 100 Impact Hubs across 50 countries.

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The bid for Impact Hub status was led by newly appointed chief executive, Kamran Rashid and co-founders Mandip Sahota and Imran Ali, who oversaw the work to support Bradford’s bid to join the global network.

Mr Rashid said: “We’ve been working towards bringing an Impact Hub to Bradford for more than three years and, as the world begins to emerge from the horrors and disruption of a global pandemic, the need to work differently, collaboratively, to change society for the better has never been more apparent.

“We’re excited to be introducing Bradford to an international network that uses the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals as a lens through which to view our impact in the world.

“We want Impact Hub Bradford to be a hopeful element in the city’s recovery and a sustainable model for the future.”

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Impact Hub Bradford will host a programme of events and offer a range of services to social enterprises, SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), microbusinesses, artists, performers, designers and makers who want to make a positive social impact.”

Impact Hub Bradford is funded through commercial contracts with clients and grants from foundations, as well as its membership fees and income from events and programmes.

The programme will also work with grant giving bodies to target funds toward local projects and entrepreneurs, as well as developing new co-designing grant programmes with other organisations.

A spokesman said: “Inside Impact Hub itself, there are currently three employees and we’re intending to expand up to seven or eight as we recruit a team to deliver coaching and support under the city’s Community Led Local Development programme.

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“Outside Impact Hub, we’re aiming for a membership of 130 members by 2025 and we expect a large proportion of these members to be SMEs creating jobs in their organisations with our support programmes.”

Kersten England, the chief executive of Bradford Council and a member of Impact Hub Bradford’s informal advisory board, said: “Bradford teems with energy, enterprise and ambition. The team at Impact Hub Bradford epitomise Bradford’s pioneering traditions.”

Kamran Rashid, the new CEO of Impact Hub Bradford, is also founder of The Socially Conscious Company, a private training and consultancy company, which specialises in youth culture and programmes linked to diversity and inclusion.

He holds a Masters degreee in International Politics, an undergraduate degree in Youth and Community work and has more than 20 years’ sector experience.

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The first Impact Hub event, a digital launch, will take place on 8th September. For further details visit: http://bradford.impacthub.net

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