British Indian philanthropy specialist Hitan Mehta has been appointed the new chief executive of the British Asian Trust, an influential charity created by King Charles to address inequality, poverty and systemic challenges across South Asia. His appointment marks a significant milestone for the organization, which has expanded steadily since its founding in 2007, when King Charles—then the Prince of Wales—launched the charity to support transformative development efforts in the region.
Mehta, who received an OBE in the King’s 2023 New Year Honours List for his longstanding service to Britain’s South Asian community, was one of the earliest architects of the Trust. As the first-ever employee of the charity, he helped shape the organization from the ground up and has worked closely with King Charles over the past 18 years as the Trust evolved from a small initiative into a global development force.
Calling it a “privilege” to assume leadership at a critical moment for the organization, Mehta said he is grateful for the trust placed in him by the board, the royal patron, and the charity’s partners worldwide. Previously serving as Executive Director, he emphasized the importance of the next phase, which will focus heavily on engaging the global South Asian diaspora and strengthening collaboration across countries where the Trust works.
Mehta succeeds Richard Hawkes, who led the British Asian Trust for a decade. Under Hawkes’ leadership, the charity expanded its reach and claims to have improved the lives of more than 18 million people in countries across South Asia. Mehta expressed appreciation for Hawkes’ contributions, noting that the organization now stands on a strong foundation built through years of strategic partnerships and impactful programs.
Looking ahead, Mehta said he aims to broaden the Trust’s international visibility, deepen innovation-driven initiatives, and continue scaling programs that create sustainable, long-term change. The Trust highlighted Mehta’s central role in its global growth, crediting him with expanding operations across the UK, South Asia, the Gulf, and recently North America. He is also recognized for mobilizing influential networks across philanthropy, finance, and business to support development efforts across the region.
Lord Jitesh Gadhia, Chair of the Board of Trustees, praised Mehta as one of the organization’s foundational leaders. He noted that Mehta’s deep understanding of South Asia, strong credibility in the global philanthropy community, and trusted standing within the British Asian diaspora make him the ideal person to lead the Trust into its next era, building on Hawkes’ transformative legacy.
