More than £1 million raised as the charity marks a milestone year, having reached over 18.8 million people across South Asia.
His Majesty The King, Royal Founding Patron of the British Asian Trust, joined more than 300 guests at the charity’s Annual Dinner and Reception at The Peninsula London, celebrating nearly two decades of impact across South Asia.
Founded by His Majesty in 2007, the British Asian Trust has worked alongside local partners to tackle some of the region’s most pressing social challenges, supporting more than 18.8 million people through programmes focused on child protection, education, livelihoods, mental health and conservation.
An Evening Celebrating Purpose and Progress
The evening brought together leaders from business, philanthropy, entertainment and the British Asian community to reflect on the Trust’s journey and the difference its work continues to make.
Guests watched a specially produced film looking back at the origins of the British Asian Trust, inspired by the landmark 2007 India-Pakistan charity cricket match that helped spark the organisation’s creation. Following the screening, His Majesty was presented with a framed photograph from the event, featuring himself alongside the two team captains.
The annual gala was hosted by Sanjeev Bhaskar OBE and attended by a number of well-known figures, including: Dame Meera Syal, Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, Konnie Huq, Kunal Nayyar, Preeya Kalidas, Gurinder Chadha, Naughty Boy & Nihal Arthanayake.
The celebrations also included an exclusive live performance from international recording artist Jay Sean.
Royal Support That Continues to Inspire
Speaking during the event, British Asian Trust CEO Hitan Mehta OBE said:
“We are grateful for the continued interest our Royal Founding Patron, His Majesty The King, takes in the Trust’s work. His deep and longstanding support for the British Asian Trust is a source of inspiration for our ambitions.
Tonight, we also celebrate the extraordinary impact being delivered across South Asia, made possible by the commitment and generosity of the British Asian diaspora and our wider partners.”
More Than £1 Million Raised
Sponsored by Westcombe Group, OakNorth and Godwit Travel, the annual gala raised more than £1 million to support the Trust’s ongoing work across South Asia.
The funds will help expand programmes that create lasting social change, with a focus on innovative solutions and partnerships that deliver measurable outcomes.
Driving Innovation Across South Asia
The past year has seen the British Asian Trust deliver several significant milestones:
Transforming Employment Opportunities in Pakistan
A PKR 1 billion government guarantee was approved for the Pakistan Skills Impact Bond, with endorsement from the Prime Minister. The initiative represents the country’s first outcomes-based financing programme for employment and marks a major step forward for social finance in the region.
Supporting India’s Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
The Trust launched the USD 4 million Nano Entrepreneurship Sustainability & Transformation (NEST) Outcomes Facility — India’s first outcomes-based finance initiative designed to accelerate income growth for nano entrepreneurs.
Protecting Communities and Wildlife
Conservation programmes supported by the Trust have achieved a 98% reduction in human and elephant casualtieslinked to human-wildlife conflict across project areas, demonstrating the impact of community-led conservation efforts.
Nearly Two Decades of Impact
Since 2007, the British Asian Trust has partnered with marginalised communities across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, working to create opportunities and improve lives through sustainable, locally driven solutions.
The Annual Dinner and Reception served not only as a celebration of the organisation’s achievements but also as a reminder of the power of collaboration between philanthropy, business and communities to deliver lasting change across South Asia.
Key Facts
- 18.8 million+ people reached since 2007
- £1 million+ raised at the 2026 Annual Dinner
- 300+ guests attended the event
- Programmes active across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
- Focus areas include child protection, education, livelihoods, mental health and conservation
