Asda worker who helped employ thousands during the pandemic honoured by the Queen

Imran Rashid Davji, an HR administrator based at Asda Britannia House head office in Morley, is to be awarded an MBE.

When the COVID-19 crisis took hold in the UK, the retailer worked to keep shelves stocked and protect its vulnerable staff.

Mr Davji, 24, from Batley, played a “critical” role in recruiting around 25,000 temporary colleagues as part of Asda’s friends and family recruitment scheme.

He said “It was a pivotal time to ensure everything was close to perfect as we had a duty to ensure support was provided to everyone around the country.

“Myself and the team bought into the idea that this work would be accomplished by knowing conscientiousness would be imperative whilst working outside of process.

“Hard work and tenacity were the key ingredients of this success and gave impetus to this journey over the past few months. I would like to thank my manager and all my colleagues. Our success would not have been possible without your unwavering support and encouragement.”

In addition, seven Asda colleagues received a British Empire Medal for going above and beyond for their local communities.

From setting up regular phone calls to help those feeling isolated to delivering shopping to the most vulnerable in our communities and in their own time.

Roger Burnley, Asda CEO & President said ““I cannot express how proud we all are to have Imran recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. A key worker along with thousands of others, Imran has done an amazing job looking after our customers in phenomenally challenging circumstances.

"I want to extend my thanks and gratitude to him for the way in which he has risen to the challenges of the pandemic and played a vital role in feeding the nation."."