ABOUT US We are a non-profit, apolitical, areligious membership body, financed entirely through membership subscriptions, sponsorships and donations by members. We are independent from any governments or organisation. We are focused on bringing together the British Iranian businessmen, businesswomen and professionals from all sectors of the British Iranian community in the UK. Our platform aims to create relationships, deepen ties and create new business and growth potential of our members. The prevailing narrative about our community cannot be determined by political news but should be driven by our contributions to society we live in and beyond. We believe this mission is worth pursuing beyond the benefits of networking and by getting together as a group we can amplify our impact beyond individual actions and expertise. Together we enhance the success of our community as a whole and in particular we hope the younger generations of Iranians can benefit enormously from membership by tapping into mentorship and guidance from established business leaders. We hope giving back to the community by this involvement of minds and generations is not only rewarding for all but allows us to pass on cultural values through our generations. To this aim, the cornerstone of Anjoman activities consists of regular events with invited distinguished speakers who are the leaders and experts in their fields of activity to share their insights and experience. Our events are open to both members, member's guests and non-members. |
A BRIEF HISTORY Anjoman (also known as the British Iranian Business and Professional Society), was founded in 1996 by a group of British Iranian businessmen and professionals who believed that the British Iranian community needed a professional networking forum for the benefit of individual members as well as the business and professional community as a whole. A Constitution was drafted and approved which reflected the shared vision of the founding members for a networking forum that would be open to all eligible businessmen and women as well as professionals engaged in all sectors of the economy. That vision included a strong belief in the establishment of a not-for-profit, non-political, professional, membership entity that would be dedicated solely to the promotion of British Iranian businesses and the success of its individual members in their professional lives. That shared vision remains at the heart of all our endeavours today. A Board of Management, composed of five members, was elected initially for a one-year term of office. Since 1996 over 50 members of Anjoman have volunteered to serve and were elected to the Board of Management. They have dedicated time and effort, on a voluntary basis, towards the delivery of that vision and the further promotion of the community. During the early years of Anjoman, the Monthly Business Meetings, which always included a formal dinner, became the focal point for networking activities for the benefit of members and their guests and business contacts. The format of these meetings has evolved over the years, but the constant has been the presence of a distinguished guest speaker who would address the meeting on a topic of relevance and importance to members. On other occasions a panel of experts would be invited to comment on and discuss a business-related topic. Anjoman has held, and continues to hold, other larger social events to celebrate festive occasions such as Norouz, the Iranian New Year. With such larger social events, partners and friends of members and other guests from the wider community are also invited. Each new Board of Management has initiated additional activities and programmes that were deemed beneficial for the promotion of the professional profile and standing of members. Since its inception in 1996, Anjoman has held well over 200 networking or business development events. A partial list of guest speakers and expert panellists invited to address these events can be found below. |