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Hitan Mehta to lead British Asian Trust
He was selected for his deep knowledge of South Asia, his credibility across international philanthropy, and his trusted relationships within the British Asian community.
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Staff Reporter - Wed, 03, Dec 2025
- 12:22 EST
- 8
British Indian expert Hitan Mehta, new chief executive of the British Asian Trust / Courtesy: British Asian Trust
The British Asian Trust on Dec 3 named British Indian expert Hitan Mehta as its new chief executive.
Mehta will succeed Richard Hawkes, who is stepping down after a decade-long tenure.
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Mehta, the Trust’s first employee in 2007, has played a central role in the charity’s development for 18 years, working closely with King Charles III, both in his current role and previously as the Prince of Wales.
He has been part of the senior leadership team alongside Hawkes during a period of expansion across the UK, South Asia, the Gulf, and, more recently, North America.
Reflecting on his appointment, Mehta said, “It is an honor to step into this role at such a pivotal moment for the British Asian Trust. As we enter an important period of global and UK diaspora engagement, I am deeply grateful to our Trustees, our Royal Founding Patron, and our valued partners and supporters for their continued confidence in our mission.”
“I am committed to building on the strong foundations that we have created. Together with our exceptional team, I look forward to advancing our global footprint, driving innovation, and continuing to deliver meaningful and lasting change for communities across South Asia,” he added.
The board of trustees said Hawkes’ leadership helped grow the organization’s scale and reach, improving the lives of more than 18 million people across South Asia.
In his remarks, Hawkes said, “After an amazing 10 years at the British Asian Trust, now is the right moment for me to explore new challenges and pass on the baton to Hitan, who I have worked with closely for the last decade. I would like to thank the Board for the privilege of being CEO and wish the organization every success in the future.”
Board chair Jitesh Gadhia said Mehta’s long involvement with the Trust and his relationships across the diaspora position him well for the role. “As a founding leader of the British Asian Trust, Hitan has shaped the organization’s values, networks, and global impact from its earliest days,” he said.
“His deep knowledge of South Asia, his credibility across international philanthropy, and his trusted relationships within the British Asian community make him uniquely placed to guide the Trust into its next chapter, building on Richard’s decade of transformational leadership,” he added.
Founded in 2007 by King Charles III and British Asian business leaders, the Trust supports programs in mental health, education, livelihoods, child protection, and conservation across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
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