LONDON (Diya TV) — Hitan Mehta, a British Indian philanthropist, has been named the new chief executive of the British Asian Trust, the charity he helped establish with King Charles III nearly two decades ago.

Mehta, who became the Trust’s first employee in 2007, will succeed Richard Hawkes, who is stepping down after a decade of leading the organization. Under Hawkes’ leadership, the charity claims to have improved the lives of more than 18 million people across South Asia.

The British Asian Trust was founded in 2007 by King Charles III and British Asian business leaders. The charity focuses on tackling poverty, inequality, and injustice in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Its programs cover education, health, livelihoods, child protection, and conservation.

Mehta has been a central figure in the Trust’s growth for 18 years. He worked closely with Hawkes as part of the senior leadership team during a period of expansion across the UK, South Asia, the Gulf, and North America. Mehta has also collaborated with King Charles III in his current role and previously as the Prince of Wales.

Board chair Jitesh Gadhia highlighted Mehta’s long-standing role in the charity. “As a founding leader of the British Asian Trust, Hitan has shaped the organization’s values, networks, and global impact from its earliest days,” Gadhia said. He added that Mehta’s deep knowledge of South Asia and credibility in international philanthropy position him well to guide the Trust into its next chapter.

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.”

He pledged to build on the strong foundations laid by Hawkes. “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,” Mehta said.

Over the years, Mehta has been instrumental in strengthening networks across philanthropy, finance, and business. He has worked to connect the British Asian community with global initiatives and has been central to the Trust’s expansion into new regions.

Mehta received an OBE in the King’s 2023 New Year Honours List for his service to Britain’s South Asian community. He credited his mentors at the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha temple in Neasden, London, where he has volunteered for 28 years, working on initiatives including vaccine promotion, interfaith relations, and support for Ukrainian refugees.

Hawkes expressed confidence in Mehta’s leadership. “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, with whom I have worked closely for the last decade,” Hawkes said.

With Mehta at the helm, the British Asian Trust aims to expand its impact globally while continuing to address challenges across South Asia. The charity’s programs in mental health, education, livelihoods, child protection, and conservation remain central to its mission.

As the organization enters a new phase of growth and engagement with the diaspora, Mehta’s experience, vision, and long-standing commitment to the charity position him to lead the Trust toward lasting change.