Tariq Sheikh, a British-Pakistani entrepreneur, has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious civic honours, in recognition of his contributions to the UK halal meat industry, his entrepreneurial achievements, and his philanthropic efforts.
The award, dating back to 1237, has previously been bestowed upon notable figures including Princess Elizabeth, Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Stephen Hawking, and Bill Gates.
Sheikh received the honour at the Guildhall, describing it as “one of the proudest moments” of his life. He reflected on his journey from arriving in London at the age of four from Jhelum, Pakistan, to building a thriving business.
He emphasized that the recognition represents the hard work of his entire 400-strong team and the legacy of quality initiated by his father in 1965. Sheikh noted that his family has always believed halal meat should exemplify the highest standards of hygiene, quality, and service.
Under Sheikh’s leadership, Tariq Halal Meat has grown from a single shop into a leading industry provider with over 30 outlets across the UK. He highlighted that the halal meat sector is now worth £1.7 billion, accounting for approximately 15% of the total UK meat and poultry market, and also serving Kosher and other niche markets.
Beyond his business success, Sheikh is committed to philanthropy and community support. He has facilitated the relocation and settlement of over 70 butchers from Pakistan in the UK and actively supports major charities, including the Prince of Wales’s British Asian Trust, the British Heart Foundation, and the Cancer Foundation.
Many of these initiatives extend to South Asian countries such as Pakistan. Sheikh also invests in educational and entrepreneurial programs aimed at empowering young individuals from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.
The award recognizes both Sheikh’s transformative impact on the halal meat industry and his dedication to giving back to the community, cementing his reputation as a business leader and philanthropist in the UK.
