Bangladeshi entrepreneur Sheikh Aliur Rahman received an OBE

Adarshabarta Desk:

Young and talented British Bangladeshi business entrepreneur Sheikh Aliur Rahman has been awarded an Order of British Empire (OBE) by His Majesty King Charles III on the first New Year Honours List 2023. He has received this honour in recognition of his services to the Tea Industry and Young People. The list was officially published on 30 December 2022.

On receiving this award, Mr Rahman the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of London Tea Exchange said, “I am extremely humbled to have received an OBE on the first new year honours list by the King Charles III.”

He said, “I am indebted to so many people around me who have supported me over the years. To my family and all of you who have been there for me, a huge thank you for your encouragement, friendship and support.”

In reminiscing his childhood he said, “I remember how difficult it was growing up and this is why I have dedicated my efforts to help young people who are less fortunate via many of the charities I support including the Patchwork Foundation, Capital Kids Cricket and the British Bangladesh Fashion Council.”

He further said, “Many of you will be aware of the campaign I am working on to help tea workers to get fair pay. There are over 120 million people working in the tea industry (majority women) and I want to dedicate my honours to them. They are some of the hardest working people in the world yet are living in poverty.”

Outlining his future work he said, “It’s up to our generation who have a voice to raise the plight of the voiceless. I hope you can all join me in my campaign for Fair Pay and to build a fairer society globally!” He quoted Nelson Mandela saying, “As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality exist in our world, none of us can truly rest.”

Prior to joining the London Tea Exchange, he worked for a leading investment company and extensively travelled in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia. Throughout these travels, he has developed a passion for tea. In 2003, he founded the London Tea Exchange and invested a significant amount of his time in collecting some of the rarest teas in the world. Today, London Tea Exchange has one of the largest collections of rare and premium teas in the world and is renowned amongst tea connoisseurs and collectors from across the globe.

British born Mr Rahman’s parents are from North Dharmada (উত্তর ধর্মদা) village of Biswanath Upazila, Sylhet, Bangladesh. He is married and a father to a son and two daughters. He is currently residing with his family in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

S. A