Ambitious Batley lawyer scoops award at Yorkshire awards ceremony

Haris Rashid, 22, of Staincliffe, studies law at university in Liverpool and became the first South Asian president of the Student Union.

Haris, who has been at Liverpool Hope University for four years, said he was “over the moon” to win the award for achievement in education.

“The award is something to be really proud of,” he said. “I’m just a lad from Batley and I hope I can encourage and motivate other young people. If I can do it so can anyone else.”

Haris, who comes from a British-Kashmiri heritage, added: “It’s great to see people from black and ethnic minority communities achieving, and they are usually under-represented in professional roles.”

Haris, an only child, grew up on a Staincliffe council estate and attended Staincliffe Junior School and Batley Grammar School.

He demonstrated early academic promise by becoming the youngest national achiever of the OCR exam qualification, and was presented with the award by Lord Adonis.

He studied A-levels at Heckmondwike Grammar School and developed a passion for the law. He also achieved bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh awards.

Now in his final year he had a sabbatical last year after being elected president of the Student Union.

“I hope to go into commercial law and would love to set up my own practice - but one step at a time,” said Haris.

Asked if he would return to his hometown, he said: “Batley will always be my home and I never want to be too far away.

“I might move down south for a couple of years to meet new people but I’ll never forget my Batley roots.”

The announcement of the awards was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic and Haris admitted he was taken by surprise.

“I had entered before lockdown so I had forgotten about it,” he said. “When I received the call I was over the moon.”

Haris campaigned against the proposed closure of Batley Library and supported the late Batley & Spen MP Jo Cox when she was first elected to Parliament.