A LOCAL businessman and co-founder of a social enterprise has developed another skill after being made an OBE – keeping secrets.
Anwar Ali received the accolade in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for services to social enterprise after helping found Upward Enterprise.
And the Ashton-born 35-year-old is ready for another challenging 12 months ahead after negotiating a period where he knew but could not tell anyone, not even his nearest and dearest.
Mr Ali said: “There was a secret that I kept quiet from everyone for a couple of weeks but finally it was with great pride and honour that I could confirm that I was included on the 2021 Queen’s New Year’s Honours List and awarded the OBE for Services to Social Enterprise.
“I was truly humbled and lost for words.”
Mr Ali helped establish Upturn – a multi award-winning social enterprise – in 2004.
Based in Hollinwood, Oldham, it has helped improve lives and create opportunities for people from disadvantaged communities and diverse groups.
But even though he ended 2020 on a high, he knows there is plenty of work to do in 2021.
He added: “I am immensely proud of this award which I am delighted to accept on behalf of the Upturn family, our partners, clients, key stakeholders and funders (past and present) who continue to believe and back the work we do.
“A special nod to Maria Williams, Upturn’s Co-Founder and Clive Hewson my mentor for everything they do. It is greatly appreciated by all of us.
“2021 is going to be a very challenging and difficult year for many people in our communities.
“I truly believe this is the year that all social entrepreneurs and social enterprises across the UK need to step forward, puff out our chests and start that real conversation on how we can work together/collaborate to deliver the real social change that is really needed in our country.
“Let us all build back better together and release the true potential of social enterprises.”
Mr Ali, who lives on Holden Clough Road, is described as having ‘more than 20 years management experience leading teams that make a difference to people, communities and business’.
He has run multi-functional teams, managed publicly funded projects and developed socially focused business programmes, transforming lives and communities across the north west and beyond.
He adds he is, ‘motivated by challenge and the desire to make a difference to people, supporting communities and delivering a commercial social offer to businesses’.