Duke of Edinburgh Award ‘giant’ receives knighthood
A BRITISH ASIAN charity supporter and IT chief was awarded a knighthood in recognition of his work for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Sir Ashok J Rabheru, 70, was born in Tanzania in 1952 and came to the UK in the late 1960s. He went on to study for a BSc in Physics at University College London. He later obtained his MPhil in applied mathematics at Royal Holloway and a post graduate diploma in computing at London University.
Rabheru founded the Genisys Group of IT service companies in 1985 with only five employees. It now has offices in three continents and employs more than 1,100 people.
He also served as a trustee of the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) UK Award from 2000 until December 2010, and was a prominent member of the steering group for planning and fundraising for the award’s 50th anniversary in 2006.
Since 2010, he has been chairman of the DofE UK and international joint funding board.
“I am flattered to receive this personal award from Her Majesty. I am constantly humbled by the efforts that so many volunteers put in to enable the DofE Award to function and grow,” said Rabheru.
Recently, he worked to mark the centenary of Prince Phillip, in particular celebrating all that the royal did to champion the potential of young people.
Currently, Rabheru is assisting Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, with the launch of the Founder’s 100 Legacy Fund, a three-year campaign to raise awareness of the importance of non-formal education and learning for young people around the world.
“It has been a privilege to participate, and I have enjoyed myself immensely. This honour may be undeserved but is greatly appreciated,” said Rabheru.
In addition to his DofE work, Rabheru has supported a range of charities, including Heart of Bucks and medical research institutions such as University College London and Imperial College London.
He also works with war veterans’ charity Combat Stress and eyesight charity Debra.
Rabheru is also keen to help improve opportunities for underprivileged communities in education and health.
“I am privileged and proud to have worked with Ashok for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for over 20 years,” said Lord Graham Kirkham KCVO.
“He is a determined, vigorous, passionate giant in all his efforts to do good, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has been a massive beneficiary of his guidance, commitment, relentless work, energy, generosity and sound entrepreneurial judgement.”
Rabheru was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by the Queen in 2011. That year, he was also appointed a deputy lieutenant of Buckinghamshire. He currently lives in Buckinghamshire with his wife Harshida, with whom he has three adult triplets – Nikita, Rishi and Shayan.
“The award could not have a more passionate, resolute or effective supporter, advocate and ambassador. Ashok richly deserves this personal honour that I know he accepts with great gratitude, humility and pride. I offer him my heartfelt congratulations,” said Kirkham.