Safaraz Ali is a social entrepreneur, having grown up in inner city of Alum Rock in Birmingham. He is a driven individual with a sense of duty to change lives and do the right thing. 

Safaraz was first introduced to the health and social care in 1998 when he joined Sandwell Council in a Budget Support role at a time where there was tremendous change in adult social services where there was more commercial procurement taking place and in the early days of personalised budgets implementation. Safaraz often talks about how memorable and inspiring this time was and the respect that he had for his then manager – Harjinder Mangat, a humble and inspiring local commissioner.

Safaraz vividly recalls that this was more or less the beginning of a multi-agency working and collaboration approach that was becoming the norm and the introduction of innovative working such as Hospital Discharge and Hospital Admission Prevention programmes which laid the bedrock for future procurement and commissioning strategies.

Safaraz states that he holds all who work in the Social care and caring arena with the utmost respect and high esteem – often it’s not a job or a career, it is their life and a lesson in responsibility and there is relentless optimism. This was a moment when Safaraz was constantly forced to question himself and reflect on his work, his values, and his life. 

Safaraz met with his business partner and friend of over 20 years – Waheed and they have been on the journey together playing to each other’s strengths and have scaled the Pathway Group of companies and Amington holdings. 

Safaraz believes that all their businesses are dependent on people in all aspects and their biggest challenge is always about attracting, retaining and growing the right people and creating great teams of high performers that have the knowledge, skills and behaviours that make a continuous difference. Safaraz Ali is often called upon by media and local influencers to appear on podcasts, radio and local TV shows as well as to write articles on topics ranging from leadership, people, entrepreneurship as well as anything relating to the diversity and BAME communities.