Biography

 Mrs. Yasmin Umarji

Mrs Yasmin Umarji was born and brought up in the Seychelles and went to England in 1979 to pursue a university education. In 1984, she graduated from Kingston University with a Bachelor of Education, got married and moved to Bolton. She has two children and four grandchildren. 

Mrs Umarji’s career progressed from working as a primary teacher in inner city schools in Bolton to the Strategic Manager for School Improvement in Bradford and working as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Council for Children (NCC) since August 2020. Under her leadership, NCC has strengthened its role in the safeguarding and protection of children and therapeutic services, while amplifying children’s voices through creative and community-based initiatives.

A passionate advocate for innovation in child welfare, Mrs Umarji introduced programmes such as the annual Children’s Festival, live press conference with the President, Children’s Safeguarding Conferences and Parenting Education programmes for the more vulnerable members of society. Her vision for NCC focuses on ensuring that every child in Seychelles grows up safe, supported and empowered to achieve and perform to the best of their ability. 

Yasmin’s passion and strive for justice and equality resulted in her receiving a Bolton Diversity Award in 2005 in recognition of her contribution towards promoting diversity in the borough of Bolton. 

As an active Soroptimist, Mrs Umarji is deeply committed to the empowerment of girls and women, particularly through education and leadership development. Her work reflects a lifelong belief that every child deserves access to quality education, safety and the opportunity to share their views and opinions.

Her hobbies include reading books written by authors from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, walking and travelling.