ABOUT BCA
British Bangladeshi Catering industry voice in the UK since 1960
WELCOME TO BCA
BCA is the umbrella organization of approximately
12,000 British-Bangladeshi restaurants and
Takeaways across the UK. It was established in
1960 to represent the Catering Industry run by
the ethnic Bangladeshis. At present, the industry
employs more than 100,000 people, mostly
Bangladeshi origin, with an estimated yearly
turnover of over £4.2 billion. BCA organises
various activities to promote all aspects of
Bangladeshi culture with priority on Bangladeshi
cuisine in Great Britain as well as in Europe.
Over the years BCA has established itself as the
herald of Bangladeshi Community by facilitating,
advocating and promoting the interests of the
curry industry. With the passage of time BCA has
grown its capacity to be able to generate huge
business potentials for all suppliers, be it small
cash & Carry or a giant trade body like Cobra,
Kingfisher or Coca-cola.
BCA is a democratically run nonprofit making
organisation having an elected executive
committee taking control every 2 years. The
present National Executive Council (NEC)
was elected to office on 21st May 2017. The
NEC is the highest forum within the BCA and
three key personnel, i.e. President, Secretary
General and the Chief Treasurer, run the day-today
activities under the overall supervision and
monitoring of NEC. Current office bearers are,
President- Mr Mohammed Mustafa Kamal Yakub
Secretary General- Mr Oli Khan
Chief Treasurer- Mr Saidur Rahman Bipul.
BCA has been representing the Bangladeshi curry
industry for the last 57 years. The Association
exists to ensure that the views of the Bangladeshi
Curry industry are represented in a forceful,
coherent and co-ordinated way to government
and policy makers in the UK and internationally.
As the national trade association for Bangladeshi
caterers, our primary role is to lobby with the
local and central government across the UK,
representing the views of the curry industry. Over
the past few years BCA has remained engaged
in many activities, some of them are listed below:
When the sector based pilot scheme was started,
BCA was consulted by the Home Office as stake holders. There were a series of meetings
with Immigration policy makers and as a result
thousands of our caterers were able to bring
over unskilled workers from Bangladesh under
the ‘Sector Based Scheme’. But unfortunately the
scheme did not continue and later Points based
Scheme was introduced.
We have fought immigration issues and adverse
government regulation on our industry.
We provide a range of professional services to
benefit our members.
We have rewarded and recognised the best
Chefs and Caterers in the industry.
BCA has successfully organised annual awards
events, road shows and seminars throughout the
country, extending good publicity and expertise
to all our members and the public.
BCA was awarded Best Ethnic Organisation for
2011/12.
With seven other catering organisations, BCA
successfully lead the demonstration at Trafalgar
Square in 2008 to protest against staff shortage
issues. Following this and an extensive research
report by BCA, Bangladesh was included in the
‘shortage occupation list’ of the points based
system.
BCA has played a key role in the formation of
APPG (All party Parliamentary Group) for Curry
Industry.
BCA has successfully persuaded MPs to join Early
Day Motions in the House of Commons to discuss
immigration issues.
We have developed a collective leadership
culture within the BCA by empowering regional
leaders.
Finally, the success of BCA does not depend
on the executive council alone. It’s the members
who make it strong. In other words, to make
representations caterers who are not already
members should join BCA and make our voices
noisier. This way we may have more probability
to bring about legislative changes in our favour.
May BCA go from strength to strength.
President
Mr. M.A. Munin
It will now be our aim to take BCA to a new height.
Secretary General
Mr. Mithu Chowdhury
I have the passion and with everyone’s collective support hope to drive the BCA to the next level,
Treasurer
SAIDUR RAHMAN (BIPUL)
If we continue to carry out the fundamental tasks positive results will follow.