A visit to Buckingham Palace was on the agenda for a philanthropic North East businessman when he officially received his OBE from HRH The Prince of Wales.
Pakistan-born Nas Khan, Owner and Managing Director of Jennings Motor Group, was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his charity work and contribution to the economy.
Nas said: “It’s a tremendous honour to receive such an award I am very humbled and extremely honoured.
“The day was very exciting and it was great meeting other award recipients at the ceremony.
“I was also thrilled that members of my family were able to share such a momentous occasion with me – given the support they have given over the years.”
As an individual, Nas has always actively supported both local and national charities, but the most poignant and challenging came about in 2010, when he wanted to help save and rebuild lives of people in Pakistan, following devastating floods. An appeal was set up through his own registered charity, The Emaan Foundation.
Raising £120,000 not only provided essential life-saving aid in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, but it also financed the construction of a new village. A total of 60 new homes were built for people in the village of Rahim Yar Khan, with livestock and fresh water also being provided.
On completion of the village, which has officially been named The Emaan Village’ after the charity, Nas launched a second appeal with the aim to build a health centre for the village community and surrounding areas. To date, funds are in excess of £20,000.
Nas’s career with Jennings began as a graduate at the age of 23 when he was appointed as a sales executive at the group’s Ford dealership on Yarm Road in Stockton. The next decade saw a number of promotions to business manager, assistant sales manager and group sales/marketing manager.
He has been involved in three successful management buyouts, the first of which, resulted in another promotion to sales and marketing director, prior to taking over as managing director and later becoming sole proprietor of the company.
As managing director of Jennings Motor Group, Nas is responsible for 524 members of staff across the company’s Ford, Kia, Mazda, SEAT and Mitsubishi branches located from Tyneside to Teesside, in addition to recently adding Harley-Davidson® dealerships in Leeds and Gateshead, as well as a SUBWAY® store in Stockton, Teesside, to the business portfolio.
In addition to being awarded an OBE, Nas has also been the recipient of Ford Motor Company’s Salute to Dealers’ global award, as well as being awarded Teesside Business Executive of the Year at the North East Business Awards.
Over the years, the company has focused heavily on supporting the local community and a variety of charities.
For the past 18 years, the Salvation Army has received on-going support with its annual Christmas Present Appeal, as well as Teesside Hospice and the Great North Air Ambulance being the company’s nominated charities.