- Friday, February 28, 2025
Harris has mentored over 200 change-makers from disadvantaged communities, raised £2m for charities and emerged as a highly influential youth leader.
By: Shubham Ghosh
HARRIS Bokhari OBE has been appointed as the new chair of NCS (National Citizen Service) Trust for three years by the Privy Council, following a selection process led by the department for culture, media and sport (DCMS). He will play a key role in implementing the trust’s new strategy, offering more options and opportunities for young people and supporting the government’s youth guarantee.
Bokhari will succeed current chair Brett Wigdortz, whose term since 2018 concluded on Tuesday (11).
I'm honoured and excited to join @NCSTrust as their Board Chair. NCS has been a catalyst for profound change in the lives of countless young people and I'm eager to contribute my efforts in enabling more teenagers to unlock their full potential, irrespective of their background. https://t.co/BruX7dpnPC
— Harris Bokhari OBE (@HarrisBokhari) July 11, 2023
NCS is designed to support young people to overcome and combat the challenges they face. It enables young people to become world ready and work ready, have greater confidence, resilience and wellbeing and to have a greater impact on the world.
Bokhari, 46, has joined the trust as an internationally acclaimed youth leader, having founded Patchwork Foundation in 2010. A social entrepreneur, public engagement advisor and chartered accountant, Bokhari’s wide range of roles include serving on the board of the Natural History Museum (the chairing and audit risk committee), the Royal Parks and the Prince’s Trust Mosaic Initiative. He is also an elected council member of the trust.
Recognised with an OBE in 2015 for his work with young people and interfaith relations, Bokhari is an independent member of various prestigious committees such as the King’s Award for Voluntary Service Committee. Working on supporting young people from an early age, Harris has mentored over 200 change-makers from disadvantaged communities, raised £2m for charities, and emerged as a highly influential youth leader, bridging government and grassroots organisations to empower countless young individuals globally.
Speaking on his appointment, Bokhari said, “I am honoured and excited to assume the role of chair at NCS
Trust. To date, NCS has been a catalyst for profound change in the lives of countless young people. I am eager to contribute my efforts in enabling many more teenagers to unlock their full potential, irrespective of their background. There has never been a more important time for NCS to give young people confidence and skills,” a release from NCS Trust said.
“Alongside Mark (Gifford, CEO of NCS Trust), I embrace the opportunity of guiding NCS Trust on its path of empowering young people and realising their ambitious vision and mission,” he added.
Gifford said, “We are delighted to have the honour of welcoming such a prominent figure in the fields of education, social justice and community activism to NCS. As the new chair of NCS Trust, Harris brings an extensive range of expertise derived from his accomplished professional and philanthropic journey.
“Harris’ dedication to promoting the inclusion of underprivileged and underserved communities within civil society aligns perfectly with our vision of fostering a country of connected citizens benefiting from transformative experiences that bridge social divides.
“With Harris’s invaluable support, I am confident that we will achieve this vision and work diligently towards equipping young people with the inspiration and skills needed to thrive as they become work ready and world ready.
“As an organisation we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to learn and grow from Harris’ wealth of experience.”
Lucy Frazer MP, secretary of state for the DCMS, said, “Supporting young people, particularly those at risk, is a key priority of mine and I am looking forward to working with Harris Bokhari to make our joint vision come to life. Harris’s experience of social enterprise and championing young people’s engagement in their communities will serve him well as the new Chair, leading the NCS Trust in its continued transformation and its new strategy.
She also thanked Wigdortz for his services as the NCS Trust’s chair for the last five years.
“I am very grateful to Brett for his leadership during a particularly challenging period,” she said.
Since 2009, NCS has engaged over 800,000 young people, fostering 18 million hours of community action and providing invaluable life experiences. The program ensures inclusivity by offering bursaries and support to those in need, including families on Universal Credit and individuals with special educational needs. NCS demonstrates excellent value for money, generating £3.05 of societal benefits for every £1 spent. Even during lockdown, NCS maintained strong connections with over 1.7 million teenagers through its ‘Staying Connected’ hub.
