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Meet the board: Humza Khan

Humza Khan has been on the Big Life board since October. We caught up with him to find out more about his day job, the contribution he makes to the group, and how being part of the Big Life family has shaped him…

What appealed to you about becoming a board member at The Big Life Group?

It started with values. I was looking to take on my first trustee role at an organisation where the work genuinely matched my own sense of fairness, responsibility and purpose. When I began learning about Big Life, I was struck by how wide‑ranging the work is, and how rooted it is in people’s real lives. It didn’t feel abstract. It felt practical, human and necessary; that really mattered to me.

What does your day job entail?

I work in corporate finance; I’m a director at a large accounting firm, specialising in mergers and acquisitions. It’s a demanding role, and quite a commercial one, but it gives you a broad perspective on how organisations function – from governance and risk to long‑term sustainability.

How do you think that experience will support your role at Big Life?

My job means that I’m used to stepping back and looking at the big picture. That’s been particularly helpful as part of the group’s Risk and Audit Committee. Big Life works in a complex, highly regulated environment, and strong governance really matters – not for its own sake, but because it protects services, staff and the people who rely on them.

This is your first trustee role. What’s that been like?

Very different, that’s one of the reasons I wanted to do it. Corporate finance can be very insular. Being part of Big Life has already given me a much wider perspective on the world and how different people experience it. It reminds you that decisions aren’t just financial or strategic; they affect real people, often at really important points in their lives.

Have there been any moments that really stayed with you?

Visiting the school and nursery was a big one. You can talk about services in board meetings, but seeing them first‑hand is something else entirely. It brings home the impact in a way that documents never can.

Are there particular areas of Big Life’s work that resonate most with you?

Children and education are probably the ones I am drawn to instinctively. As a parent, you see just how important early experiences are. Children come into education carrying all sorts of experiences with them – language barriers, trauma, displacement, inequality and more. Having safe, supportive spaces where they’re understood and encouraged can change the direction of a life.

What do you hope to learn from your time as a trustee?

A lot! This role is already challenging me to think differently, not just professionally, but personally too. Big Life offers a balance I really value; being financially sustainable while staying completely focused on people. Over the next few years, I want to keep learning from the organisation, from the communities it works with, and from the other trustees, while bringing my own experience where it’s helpful.

What does success look like for you at Big Life?

Getting the balance right. Being bold enough to talk about sustainability and growth, while always staying rooted in compassion, dignity and care. If Big Life can continue to do both — and help me grow in the process — that feels like success.