Built on Afghan expertise. Focused on systemic change.
Imtiaz Sharifi
Leading Afghan support infrastructure
Imtiaz Sharifi is the Founder and CEO of the Afghan British Council, a UK-based organisation dedicated to strengthening connection, coordination, and opportunity within the Afghan community.
Building on his earlier work with Capacity for Afghanistan, Imtiaz has focused on bringing together Afghan professionals, community leaders, local partners, and institutions to create a stronger support network for Afghans in the UK. His work sits at the intersection of community leadership, cultural integration, professional networking, education, and long-term diaspora development.
Through the Afghan British Council, Imtiaz is helping shape a platform that does more than host events. His vision is to create a trusted coordination layer for Afghan support, connecting people to the right opportunities, helping organisations work together more effectively, and ensuring the Afghan community has a stronger voice in civic, professional, and institutional spaces.
Driven by a belief in service, dignity, and collective progress, Imtiaz's mission is to help the Afghan diaspora contribute fully to British society while remaining connected to the heritage, talent, and future of Afghanistan.
Connecting Stories, Leaders &
the Afghan Diaspora
Through ABC × B&P, Hamza Hashime has helped create spaces where Afghan identity, business ambition, cultural pride and community leadership come together.
Hamza Hashime
Founder & Chief Growth Officer
Hamza Hashime is an entrepreneur, community builder and connector focused on bringing founders, leaders, creatives and diaspora communities together through meaningful events, strategic conversations and long-term community infrastructure.
A neutral convenor for the UK Afghan sector
Afghan support in the UK is delivered by hundreds of organisations, professionals, and community groups. The coordination between them barely exists. ABC fills that structural gap.
We don't replace specialist providers. We ensure they're connected, the sector is mapped, and no one organisation or individual, falls through the cracks.
Origin & trajectory
C4A Legacy
Building on coordination work established through the Council for Afghans — community-led infrastructure has roots here.
Incorporation
Afghan British Council incorporated as a private company limited by guarantee in England and Wales, April 2024.
Growing the Network
Expanding coordination infrastructure, events, and professional connections across the UK Afghan sector.
Coordination, not service delivery.
We don't take cases. We make sure cases don't fall through the cracks. ABC fills the gap left by the dissolution of BAAG — acting as backbone infrastructure for the UK Afghan sector.
Coordination Infrastructure
We are the connective layer — mapping the ecosystem, reducing fragmentation, and ensuring organisations work together rather than past each other.
Diaspora Network
Professionals, community leaders, and changemakers connected across the UK Afghan sector — sharing knowledge, opportunities, and influence.
Policy & Insight
Evidence-led roundtables, briefings, and public dialogue that bring institutional credibility to the challenges facing the Afghan sector.
Five Connected Forces
Our work is built as a connected system. Each pillar strengthens the next, creating a cycle of coordination, support, opportunity, and lasting impact.
Credibility
Evidence-based. We say what we know and acknowledge what we don't.
Coordination
We connect — not replace. The right routes for the right people.
Community
Afghan heritage, culture, and identity at the centre of everything.
Transparency
Open about who we are, how we're governed, and what we do.
Neutrality
A convenor, not a competitor. We work alongside the sector.
Credibility
Evidence-based. We say what we know and acknowledge what we don't.
Coordination
We connect — not replace. The right routes for the right people.
Community
Afghan heritage, culture, and identity at the centre of everything.
Transparency
Open about who we are, how we're governed, and what we do.
Neutrality
A convenor, not a competitor. We work alongside the sector.
Credibility
Evidence-based. We say what we know and acknowledge what we don't.
Coordination
We connect — not replace. The right routes for the right people.
Community
Afghan heritage, culture, and identity at the centre of everything.
Transparency
Open about who we are, how we're governed, and what we do.
Neutrality
A convenor, not a competitor. We work alongside the sector.
Transparency by design
Afghan British Council is registered as a private company limited by guarantee in England and Wales (incorporated April 2024). We are governed by a Board of Directors responsible for strategic direction and accountability.
We are transparent about our legal status and structure. As the organisation evolves, we will update our governance accordingly.
- Status
- Private company limited by guarantee
- Jurisdiction
- England & Wales
- Incorporated
- April 2024
- Governing body
- Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Imtiaz Sharifi
Chief Executive Officer
Hamza Hashime
Chief Growth Officer
Sadaf Durzad
Chairwoman
Sarina Asadi
Head of Marketing
Safiullah Hakimi
Director of Business Development