About Us
The Better Community Business Network (BCBN) is a Muslim-led grant-giving organisation with over 15 years’ experience supporting communities across the UK.
We identify social challenges, partner with credible organisations, and create projects with clear timelines and measurable outcomes. Our work is delivered through three core areas: Flagship Programmes, where we support large-scale initiatives with trusted partners; Incubation, where we develop new ideas in response to gaps in provision; and our BCBN Grant Initiative, which provides small grants to grassroots organisations addressing urgent local needs.
Since its inception, BCBN has raised over £1.4 million to support community causes across the UK. Our approach is rooted in community insight and research, ensuring that the work we support is evidence-led, practical, and able to contribute to wider change.
Whilst we remain politically engaged across the spectrum, we are not affiliated with any political group. Our aim is to ensure community-led initiatives are recognised, supported, and reflected in wider society, demonstrating the value and contribution of UK Muslim communities.
BCBN brings together businesses, philanthropists, and community partners to support meaningful causes. Our funding is secured through CSR partnerships, sponsorships, and community fundraising. As a founding principle, BCBN’s overheads are paid by its Trustees, meaning all funds raised go directly to the projects we support.
Trustees
Tariq Usmani MBE
Co-founder and Chief Executive of Lock Terrace Ltd, Tariq is responsible for formulating strategy for the business and ensuring its effective implementation. He manages direct reports from the main areas of the business and leads on banking relationships and on ensuring the company ethos remains at the heart of the business. Charity is a key focus of the company and Tariq leads in this area. Tariq is Chair of the West London Islamic Centre, and Chair of the Feltham Community Chaplaincy Trust (a registered charity working out of Feltham Young Offenders’ Institution providing mentoring and support towards reducing re-offending rates). Tariq was awarded an MBE in the 2017 New Year’s Honours list for his services in community cohesion. In a personal capacity, Tariq has always taken a keen interest in supporting young offenders, and has helped mentor several over the last decade. He has facilitated numbers of employment opportunities for young ex-offenders within his companies and through his extensive business contacts.
Kashif Usmani
Co-founder and Projects Director of Lock Terrace Ltd. Alongside his Board duties, Kashif is specifically responsible for the project delivery area of the business. His involvement includes design team management, oversight of build programmes, and management of legacy assets.
Dr Allyah Abbas-Hanif
Dr Allyah Abbas-Hanif is a clinical scientist and cardiology physician, with an interest in maternal and women’s health. Allyah has over a decade of proficiency in clinical development both in academia and industry. She trained at the University of Birmingham and Yale University and is an Honorary Senior Lecturer in the Department of Primary Care & Public Health at Imperial College London. Allyah supports several philanthropic projects, she has a led cardiology and emergency medical relief projects for displaced people for international NGOs, the Syrian American Medical Society and MedGlobal.
Sabah Gilani OBE
Sabah is the Chief Executive of the Better Community Business Network (BCBN), a grant-giving charity which has distributed 1.4 million to over 70 charities across the UK. She has led various initiatives through BCBN, including an ex-offender housing project, launching the Muslim Fostering Network and founding the Muslim Mind collaborative. Sabah hosts the Muslim Mind podcast series which provides key learning and insights for system leaders and commissioners of mental health services. She advises various organisations on faith and culture sensitive approaches to engaging with Muslim communities. Sabah received an OBE in 2020 for her work with Muslim youth.