Bradford charity CEO wins Rising Chief Executive Award at prestigious Third Sector Awards
Abbas Najib, CEO of Better Communities Bradford (BCB), has been awarded the Rising Charity Chief Executive Award at this year’s prestigious Third Sector Awards, held on Friday in London.
The award recognises Abbas as a standout rising leader whose vision, strategy, and tenacity have, in just five years, transformed BCB from a small grassroots charity into a cornerstone of community empowerment.
Under his leadership, BCB has significantly expanded its reach and impact, securing over £300,000 in grants in the past year alone — demonstrating a significant year on year growth — from national funders including the National Lottery, Henry Smith Foundation and Lloyds Bank Foundation.
Abbas has pioneered bold, community-led programmes such as Empowered Minds, which combines mental health counselling with employment and skills training for BAME women, and Project UNITY, a region-wide initiative tackling Anti-Muslim Hate through workshops and seminars in places of study and workplaces.
Despite sector-wide funding pressures, Abbas has ensured BCB’s financial resilience while driving innovation in service design. His work has created measurable improvements in mental health, employment, and community cohesion across Bradford and Yorkshire, while laying the foundations for sustainable, scalable change.
Abbas Najib, CEO of Better Communities Bradford, commented: “It’s an incredible honour to be recognised at the Third Sector Awards. This award isn’t just about me, it’s about the people and communities we serve, the dedicated team at BCB, and our partners who share our vision of equity and inclusion. Bradford and Yorkshire is full of potential, and this recognition shows what’s possible when communities are empowered to lead the change they want to see.”
Better Communities Bradford remains committed to bridging divides, promoting understanding, and ensuring that every member of the community has access to the resources, support, and opportunities they need to flourish. Its focus on educating against Anti-Muslim hate is a critical part of this mission, and they invite the wider community to stand with them in solidarity.