Ahmad, Tariq - Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, United Nations and the Commonwealth - ACOBA advice
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-10)

Advice to Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon KCMG , former Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, United Nations and the Commonwealth, on  business appointments after leaving Crown service

Lord Ahmad left his role at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in July 2024.

Co-Chair, World Humanitarian Forum

Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon KCMG sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with World Humanitarian Forum. The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68b1b6f9b0a373a01819fc73/Advice_letter_-_Tariq_Ahmad__Co-Chair__World_Humanitarian_Forum.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in August 2025 and the appointment was taken up in September 2025. An accessible version of the letter is available here. (https://draft-origin.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/publications/ahmad-tariq-minister-of-state-for-the-middle-east-north-africa-south-asia-united-nations-and-the-commonwealth-acoba-advice/advice-letter-tariq-ahmad-co-chair-world-humanitarian-forum?preview=8822781)

Board Advisor, Hinduja Automotive Ltd

Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon KCMG sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with Hinduja Automotive Ltd. The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67fe6669b73354468d135498/Advice_letter_-_Tariq_Ahmad__Board_Advisor__Hinduja_Automotive_Ltd.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in March 2025 and the appointment was taken up later that month. An accessible version of the letter is available here. (https://draft-origin.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/publications/ahmad-tariq-minister-of-state-for-the-middle-east-north-africa-south-asia-united-nations-and-the-commonwealth-acoba-advice/advice-letter-tariq-ahmad-board-advisor-hinduja-automotive-ltd?preview=8559769)

Advisor, King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence

Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon KCMG sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence. The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67d066720c485ba007779ff9/Advice_Letter_-_Tariq_Ahmad__Advisor__King_Hamad_Global_Center_for_Peaceful_Coexistence.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in January 2025; and the appointment was taken up later that month.* An accessible version of the letter is available here. (https://draft-origin.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/publications/ahmad-tariq-minister-of-state-for-the-middle-east-north-africa-south-asia-united-nations-and-the-commonwealth-acoba-advice/advice-letter-tariq-ahmad-advisor-king-hamad-global-center-for-peaceful-coexistence?preview=8509163)

*Subsequent to the publication of this advice, ACOBA was notified that Lord Ahmad had met with a group of trustees of the King Hamad Centre for Peaceful Coexistence (KHC) as part of a ministerial overseas trip to Bahrain in February 2023. Lord Ahmad said this meeting was incidental and took place on a ministerial visit to the Isa Cultural Centre which also houses the KHC. His former department, the FCDO, said this new information did not change its views on the risks in this appointment. ACOBA agrees, and its original advice remains appropriate.

Non Executive Director, Asian Media Group

Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon KCMG sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with Asian Media Group. The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67cb18eeade26736dbfa0078/Adivce_Letter-_Tariq_Ahmad__Non_Executive_Director__Asian_Media_Group.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in January 2025; and the appointment was taken up later that month. An accessible version of the letter is available here. (https://draft-origin.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/publications/ahmad-tariq-minister-of-state-for-the-middle-east-north-africa-south-asia-united-nations-and-the-commonwealth-acoba-advice/advice-letter-tariq-ahmad-non-executive-director-asian-media-group?preview=8503097)

Chairman of the Advisory Board, International Communities Organisation

Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon KCMG sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with International Communities Organisation. The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67ceb975a615dc906880c54b/Advice_Letter_-_Tariq_Ahmad__Chairman_of_the_Advisory_Board__International_Communities_Organisation.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in January 2025; and the appointment was taken up later that month. An accessible version of the letter is available here. (https://draft-origin.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/publications/ahmad-tariq-minister-of-state-for-the-middle-east-north-africa-south-asia-united-nations-and-the-commonwealth-acoba-advice/advice-letter-tariq-ahmadchairman-of-the-advisory-board-international-communities-organisation?preview=8503144)

Advisor, Arab Ambassadors Council

Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon KCMG sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with Arab Ambassadors Council. The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67d04091ad017430364eeef4/Advice_Letter_-_Tariq_Ahmad__Advisor__Arab_Ambassadors_Council.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in January 2025; and the appointment was taken up later that month. An accessible version of the letter is available here. (https://draft-origin.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/publications/ahmad-tariq-minister-of-state-for-the-middle-east-north-africa-south-asia-united-nations-and-the-commonwealth-acoba-advice/advice-letter-tariq-ahmad-advisor-arab-ambassadors-council?preview=8505463)