Ghulam Shabbir is a retired Manager, and father of five who has lived in Peterborough since August 1974. He has had a varied career ranging from Area Fleet Sales Manager in Perkins Engines, Road Safety Officer and then Home School Liaison Officer in Cambridgeshire County Council Education Welfare Service, Team Manager for Sure Start Gladstone, Youth Inclusion Project Manager in YMCA and finally as Community Engagement Officer for Gladstone Connect Ltd.

What your role is as part of the board of trustees?

Ghulam is a board member representing the Pakistan Community Association of Peterborough.

Why you joined the board of trustees?

Ghulam has been involved with GC for over 30 years both as an employee and as Chair of PCA. Both organisations have worked together on various projects including Sure Start Gladstone, a government-funded project that brought over six million pounds in investment for the local community, the result which was three buildings, Veranda Centre, Allama Iqbal Centre and a Crèche at the rear of GLADCA. The project served the local community for over 20 years. His aim is to aid GC in providing services that are useful for the local community.

​What do you hope to achieve as part of the team?

To assist the board members with my extensive community knowledge, influence and expertise in identifying and delivering services that meet GC objectives.

​What skills and areas of expertise do you bring to the charity?

As a confident public speaker, Ghulam has extensive knowledge of the local community and experience in engaging the BME communities of Peterborough. He is a multilingual person fluent in Urdu, Punjabi, and Mirpuri as well as a good understanding of Gujarati. Ghulam is also a qualified Interpreter and Translator. He has close links with local Afghan, Shia Khoja and Pakistani Punjabi Shia communities. He has many years experience of presenting on Radio Ramadhan and Salaam Radio and has participated in regional, local and national TV and Radio programmes as a representative of the local Pakistani Community.

Ghulam has many years of Youth Work experience both paid and voluntary. He is also qualified to teach adults.