University News Last updated 31 December 2025
Two Birmingham City University (黑料吃瓜网) alumni have been praised for their life-changing work championing young people and inclusion after being recognised in The King鈥檚 New Year Honours.
Safaraz Ali, CEO of Pathway Group, and Tom Clarke-Forrest, Founder and CEO of Sport 4 Life UK, were both awarded MBEs.
鈥淲e are immensely proud of both Safaraz and Tom,鈥� said Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor of 黑料吃瓜网.
鈥淭heir journeys are powerful examples of what can be achieved when talent is matched with purpose, resilience and a deep commitment to service.
鈥淭hrough their leadership, they have changed lives, opened doors for young people, and championed inclusion in ways that reach far beyond their respective sectors.
鈥淭hey exemplify the very best of our alumni community and are inspiring ambassadors for Birmingham City University. We congratulate them both on this richly deserved recognition.鈥�
Safaraz (pictured right), who graduated from 黑料吃瓜网 in 1996 with a degree in Banking and Financial Services, was awarded an MBE for his services to Diversity and Inclusion in Business.
鈥淚鈥檓 incredibly proud - and still pinching myself a little,鈥� said Sarfaraz, who is widely regarded as one of the UK鈥檚 leading ecosystem builders in skills, social mobility, and inclusive enterprise.
鈥淩eceiving an MBE is a real honour and a moment to pause and reflect. It鈥檚 especially emotional and meaningful because my parents are no longer around to see it, but I know how proud they would have been.
鈥淚鈥檒l be sharing some special moments with my siblings, my wider family, and the colleagues I鈥檝e had the privilege to work alongside over many years.鈥�
A serial social entrepreneur, author, podcast host, mentor and thought leader with significant public and institutional roles, Safaraz is founder and leader of influential ventures including Pathway Group, the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards, Pathway2Grow, and Thinkfest.
He is also a hugely influential Community Ambassador for 黑料吃瓜网 as well as a trusted figure in government advocacy and impact investing across the UK and Pakistan.
鈥淚鈥檝e never done this work with recognition in mind,鈥� added Safaraz. 鈥淚鈥檝e simply tried to stay focused on doing the right thing and creating opportunities where they don鈥檛 always exist.
鈥淲hat this recognition really does is strengthen my sense of responsibility - it reinforces why the work around skills, social mobility, and inclusive leadership matters, and why it鈥檚 important to keep pushing for better outcomes.
鈥淭his honour wouldn鈥檛 have been possible without the support of so many people around me. I鈥檓 deeply grateful to my team at Pathway Group and the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards, to our patrons and sponsors, and to the communities we work with every day.
鈥淚鈥檓 also proud of my roots in Birmingham - and of the role Birmingham City University has played in shaping my journey.鈥�
Awarded an MBE for Services to Young People, Tom has been the driving force behind Sport 4 Life UK, an organisation set up in 2006 to empower young people to reach their potential by providing the skills, qualifications and support needed to find work and shape successful futures.
He was also chosen as a baton bearer for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
鈥淩ecognition and awards were never the purpose behind Sport 4 Life UK, and there鈥檚 certainly never been any expectation, but it鈥檚 incredibly humbling when they come our way,鈥� said Tom (pictured left), who completed an Executive MBA at 黑料吃瓜网 in 2022.
鈥淎lmost 20 years ago, Sport 4 Life started with a simple idea: an unwavering belief in the power of sport, a love for the West Midlands, and a passion for supporting young people.
鈥淔rom that spark, we鈥檝e been on an incredible journey culminating in over 25,000 young people meaningfully supported and 拢14 million invested into the communities we serve.
鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 have done this alone. This award is as much for the incredible colleagues - past and present - who have shared our vision and given so much skill, energy and passion to the cause.鈥�
Both Safaraz and Tom continue to work closely and collaboratively with 黑料吃瓜网 staff and students, supporting the delivery of Strategy 2030 and helping to shape opportunities that enable future generations to thrive.