Neghat Khan, Chair
Neghat was born and raised in a diverse and social deprived area in Nottingham. Neghat has been a Nottingham City Councillor and represented the Dales ward for over 8 years and a member of the Executive for over 6 years, holding different portfolios including Education, Employment and currently Neighbourhoods, Safety and Inclusion. When Neghat was elected in 2013, she was the first female British Pakistani Councillor in Nottingham. Neghat joined politics to make a difference. Inspired by her dad’s life as a miner at Gedling colliery, the battles and experience he faced, shaped her and her understanding that a better life is possible for everyone. Since Brexit, Covid-19 and the cost of living crisis, now is the time that communities need our help the most. Having worked with many diverse organisations throughout her life, her experience and know how as a women of colour inspires Neghat’s passion for communities and having inclusive and accessible services for all.
Marsha Brown, Co-Chair
Marsha Brown is the co-chair at Nottingham Muslim Women Network. She is a specialist within domestic abuse with nearly 2 decades of experience supporting women and children to live free from domestic abuse and violence. She has carried out various roles within this sector including refuge outreach sanctuary management and was involved in developing the R2C service which supports women with multiple disadvantages. She has also been delivering training to clinician and medical practitioners. Marsha is a feminist and campaigns for women to live far from violence.
Dr Sobia Qazi, Treasurer
Dr. Sobia has been serving as a Lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, UK, for more than three years. She has obtained her PhD in Civil Engineering in 2016 on Schlumberger Faculty for the Future (FFTF) Fellowship. She has been a lifetime fellow of FFTF since 2010, she was among 33 fellows who were selected to pursue PhD under this programme among 300 applicants. Under this umbrella, she has been working for the promotion of women’s participation and achievement in STEM and mentoring them to cope with any of the difficulties and hurdles in pursuing engineering education and careers. She has joined Nottingham Muslim Women Network Committee in early 2020 to extend her contribution towards the women who are the victims of domestic abuse and violence.
In her current role, besides teaching, Sobia also provides pastoral support to her students. Her passion and interest to contribute towards student welfare and wellbeing brought her to the role of Deputy Warden in 2019. In this role, she actively dealt with students’ wellbeing, mental health and safeguarding issues. She is also one of the BAME Champions for the Faculty of Engineering, UoN, being a part of the BAME Staff Network Committee. Her role is to offer friendship, support and solidarity with BAME staff in all job families and from all backgrounds, to understand the unique challenges they all face in the workplace. She also hopes to support all faculty members to be aware and proactive about issues affecting BAME staff.
Dr Nayab Patel, Trustee
Dr. Nayab Patel has a PHD in English Language and Literature and is a published writer. A teacher by profession she has over 18 years of teaching experience at various levels. She currently works for Inspire, Culture, Libraries and Learning. She is also a councillor for Sherwood. She has a huge amount of experience of working in the community and has been supporting people in various communities. Nayab was born in Mumbai, India and her interests include Yoga and Reading.
Maxine Cockett, Trustee
Shagufta Khan, Trustee
I have worked as a teacher for over 15 years and qualified in 2002 from Nottingham Trent University with a BA (hons) in Primary Education. Since then, I have continuously updated my skills through school-based training. My area of specialism is teaching children with English as additional language.
In addition to teaching, I work with young people with special needs, facilitating opportunities to access the community around them and work toward achieving their goals. I believe all children should access an education hat meets their needs and have the opportunity to feel a sense of accomplishment. I am proud to be part of such a rewarding career that inspires children to aim high and fulfil their dreams!
Apart from teaching, I am passionate about volunteering in the community! It has taught me many skills and given me an opportunity to meet people from a range of backgrounds.
I have worked closely within the Muslim community supporting and empowering women to make positive contributions to the community, through volunteering. In the past, I have set up monthly support groups and community events such as Eid parties, fayres and charity events.
I have also worked closely with young refugees.
I live by the motto of trying everything once! One of my biggest achievements so far, has been climbing Mount Snowden and Ben Nevis in the same year!
I am terrified of heights so it was great to reach the summit but even better to be on the ground! In my spare time, I am a keen poet and self-published my own poetry book a few years ago.
I have been working on the next one, so watch this space!
Simah Hussain, Trustee
Simah was born and raised Nottingham, attended the local inner city schools and served as a parent Governor at a Nottinghamshire primary school. I live close to family and friends that are my trusted support network.
With over 15 years of expertise in Recruitment and HR, I am a results-focused individual with having worked in the private sector and more recently joined the NHS as a HR Business Partner. She is passionate about advising and guiding the employer so that they have a workforce that feels valued and supported.
Over the years, Simah has held various positions within Human Resources and progressively increasing responsibilities. The scope of my expertise includes playing a key role in the employee journey from onboarding new starters, delivering policy training, conducting grievance/ disciplinary, sickness management and mediations. Having demonstrated where HR can determine the value to the organisation through supporting stakeholders such as Heads of departments, Senior Leadership Teams and HR Business Partners.
Simah creates a robust culture that promotes continuous business growth and cultivate customer loyalty by empowering and motivating employees to realise their full potential and bring their best to the job. Where appropriate she is able to utilise her skills and knowledge to support the role as a Trustee with the Nottingham Muslims Women’s Network.