Governing Body
Governing Body
The Fahmida Foundation is guided by a diverse and dedicated governing body composed of visionary leaders, professionals, educators, and philanthropists. Each member brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the Foundation’s mission of social development, education, and community upliftment. Their collective expertise and passion ensure transparency, accountability, and strategic growth across all programs and initiatives. With backgrounds in healthcare, education, business, and charitable work, our board members play a crucial role in shaping the direction of our organization and driving impactful change in the lives of those we serve.
Dr. Sheikh Idris, a distinguished member of the CareTech family, brings a wealth of expertise with over 54 years of experience as a doctor and 25 years dedicated to supporting children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities. His vast knowledge spans across various domains, including special needs education, where he has made significant strides in improving the quality of care and support for those with unique challenges.
As the former Executive Director and Co-founder of CareTech Community Services in London, UK, Dr. Sheikh has played a pivotal role in shaping inclusive communities and advocating for improved services for individuals with disabilities. His legacy at CareTech reflects a lifelong commitment to enhancing the lives of vulnerable populations through compassionate care, innovative programs, and unwavering dedication. As the Co-founder, President, and Trustee of the Fahmida Begum Foundation, a COSARAF-funded charity organisation established in 2014 in Mehran Town, Korangi, Karachi, aimed at eradicating poverty and empowering the community to unleash its full potential, he continues to be a guiding force.
We are truly honored to have Dr. Sheikh as part of the Pakistan Special Education Initiative (PSEI). His expertise and passion have been instrumental from the very beginning, helping us shape a brighter, more inclusive future for children and adults with special needs in Pakistan. His leadership is invaluable, and his vision continues to inspire us every day. Thank you, Dr. Idris Sheikh, for being an exceptional advocate and mentor.
We look forward to achieving great milestones together!
Mrs. Rukhsana Sheikh serves as a Trustee and Board Member of the Fahmida Begum Foundation (FBF), contributing to its strategic direction and long-term vision. She actively guides and directs all projects, initiatives, programs, and key decisions, strengthening the Foundation’s growth and impact.
An accomplished philanthropist, she is committed to community development, women’s empowerment, and skill development, and serves as the chief sponsor of the COSARAF Foundation’s grant to FBF.
With diverse professional experience as a teacher, beauty therapist, medical secretary, Manager Accounts, and investor at CareTech Plc Community Services Ltd., she also brings over 10 years’ experience running and managing homes in the UK for children with moderate to severe learning disabilities. She continues to support FBF’s mission with dedication and integrity.
Haroon Sheikh with his brother Farouq personally founded CareTech PLC 26 years ago to provide high-quality specialist care.
As CareTech’s Group CEO Haroon today leads this London AIM-listed company which provides award-winning care to nearly 5,000 adults and children in England, Scotland and Wales in over 550 services, and employment for over 10,500 staff generating revenue of £430 million last year.
Haroon is innovating CareTech’s pathway approach with the expansion into tech solutions, such as the best in class Smartbox assistive technology and Purple, the thought leader at the forefront of changing the disability conversation. Purple was recipient of the Global Health Pioneers Awards in Dubai in 2019.
Haroon’s strong personal values are clear not just from CareTech’s purpose-led business approach but from his commitment to charitable causes. As a role model to those in Muslim communities and beyond, demonstrating clearly his commitment to the UK and the importance of integration and welcoming of diversity, Haroon’s commitment to charity is clear. Haroon was recently recognised in The Inspire List, an initiative to promote greater diversity amongst charity trustees. Haroon was instrumental in establishing the COSARAF Foundation (alongside the CareTech Foundation).
Haroon is a Gold Patron of Mosaic, HRH The Prince of Wales’ Muslim-led mentoring programme. Haroon has also supported the Prince’s Trust Enterprise Fellowship, supporting 17 young people a year to set up their own business and supported over 1000 vulnerable refugees with clothing, hot meals and personal items in London, through both funding and volunteer support.
Haroon is Patron and Enterprise Fellow of Prince’s Trust and former Vice Chair of the UK Advisory Council of the British Asian Trust under the patronage of HRH The Prince of Wales.
Haroon was winner of the highly-valued Coutts Family Business Prize, recognised for the quality and social integrity of the company he created, and CareTech has won a vast array of awards for its leading approach to social care.
Mr Farouq Sheikh OBE is one of the UK’s leading entrepreneurs, philanthropists and community figureheads. His business interests encompass healthcare, private equity and property investment and development.
Farouq, with his brother Haroon, are best known as co-founders of CareTech Holdings, a leading national provider of specialist care services to adults and children with learning disabilities, physical disabilities or mental health problems in the UK and the middle east. Founded as a single care home in 1993, Caretech has grown substantially, currently supporting around 5,000 adults and children with a wide range of complex needs in more than 550 schools, residential services, hospitals and day centres. CareTech employs more than 11,000 staff in the UK and internationally and has an emerging presence in digital technologies.
After initiating the successful equity investment in CareTech, Farouq and Haroon oversaw the subsequent exits of 3i Group PLC (in 1996 and 2002) and Barclays Private Equity (in 2002 and 2005) and successfully listed on AIM in 2005. Most recently, Farouq and his brother led a consortium to buy back CareTech in a deal valued at £1.1billion.
His other business interests include the Sheikh Holdings Group, which was created in 2011 to provide the next generation of the Sheikh family a platform for investments with a focus on real estate, private equity and other opportunities in healthcare, most recently Ruh Dental.
Farouq has been presented with a number of Entrepreneur of the Year awards by prestigious organisations including Laing and Buisson, Coutts Bank and Ernst & Young. He also presents widely at healthcare conferences, raising awareness of the learning disability sector. As Patron and Enterprise Fellow of the prestigious Prince’s Trust and as a member of the Mosaic National Advisory Board, Farouq supports young people by passing on his experience and expertise to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Farouq received an OBE for services to specialist care in The Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020.Along with his family, Farouq established the COSARAF Charitable Foundation. The charity, supports vital projects throughout the world alleviating hunger and distress as well as advancing education for less privileged children in developing countries and championing community based projects in the UK and abroad.
Akbar Sheikh is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and principal within the Sheikh Holdings Group.
He has over seven years of experience working in the Real Estate division, leading a team of professionals responsible for the strategic development and asset management of a diversified property portfolio.
Akbar has been instrumental in delivering over £120m worth of investment and development projects across multiple sectors including Residential, Commercial and Industrial-logistics. He was recognised by Ernst & Young as the Next Generation Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014 at their global awards in Monaco.
Prior to joining the Sheikh family office, Akbar worked for KPMG within their advisory business, specifically for the Corporate Finance and Transactions Services teams. Akbar completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Warwick, studying Engineering Business Management, and then completed further studies in Entrepreneurship at the Wharton Business School and the China Europe International Business School. Akbar is currently studying for a Master’s degree in Real Estate at Downing College, University of Cambridge.
Akbar takes a keen interest in philanthropic activities and works with many charities to deliver high-impact projects that have long-lasting social and economic benefits for communities, both in the UK and abroad. Akbar holds various positions within a number of charitable organisations, most notably as Enterprise Fellow for The Prince’s Trust.
Naureen Sheikh is a wife, mother, grandmother and a retired teacher. She completed her schooling in London and received her B Ed in Social Biology from the London University in 1983. She is married and has three children.
She currently resides in London after spending several memorable years living and travelling between Harare, Cape Town and London. As well as being a dedicated housewife, Naureen has been involved in many community projects and business enterprises.
Saba Sheikh, is a founder and trustee of the COSARAF Foundation and member of the Hardship Committee.
She is also the treasurer and member of the Fahmida Begum Foundation management committee.
Saba is married to Haroon and they share five children and three grandchildren.
Saba has a deep passion for working with charitable projects especially for widows ,orphans and empowering women to lead fulfilling and independent lives.
