Babbasa, the Bristol-based social enterprise dedicated to supporting young people from ethnically diverse and underrepresented backgrounds into meaningful careers, has announced the appointment of Paul Hassan as its new Managing Director.
A respected social entrepreneur and community leader with more than three decades of experience working across youth development, social justice, employment, housing and community engagement, Hassan joins Babbasa at a pivotal moment as the organisation continues to drive forward its ambitious mission to create a fairer and more inclusive city.
Born in Cardiff’s multicultural Tiger Bay community and having spent much of his professional life working across Bristol, Hassan has built a career focused on championing the aspirations of young people, underrepresented communities and those facing social and economic barriers.
His experience spans workforce development, employability programmes, social housing governance, community leadership and refugee integration, most recently through his work at ACH, where he helped advance opportunities and positive narratives around refugee communities.
Throughout his career, Hassan has remained committed to connecting marginalised communities with opportunities, helping individuals build confidence, access employment and realise their potential. His appointment reflects Babbasa’s continued commitment to ensuring that talent, regardless of background, can thrive and contribute to Bristol’s future.
Paul Hassan, Managing Director of Babbasa, said: “Babbasa’s mission aligns completely with the values that have driven my career for more than 30 years. I’ve seen first-hand the resilience, ambition and talent that exists within communities that are too often overlooked, and I believe our role is to unlock opportunities, remove barriers and create the connections that allow people to thrive.
“What excites me most about Babbasa is its potential to be a catalyst for long-term systemic change. We have an opportunity not only to support more young people into meaningful, optimised careers, but also to help shape how employers think about talent, inclusion and social mobility. With Babbasa’s strong reputation, talented team and network of partners, I am confident we can build on that legacy, strengthen our impact and play an even greater role in creating a city
where every young person can fulfil their potential.”
The appointment comes as Babbasa continues to advance
OurCity2030, its city-wide movement focused on connecting 2,030 young people from ethnically diverse backgrounds with meaningful employment opportunities by 2030. Under Hassan’s leadership, the organisation will continue working alongside employers, educators, civic leaders and community partners to tackle barriers to social mobility and create more inclusive talent pathways.
Poku Osei, Founder and Board Member of Babbasa, said: “Paul brings an exceptional combination of leadership, partnership-building expertise and a deep understanding of the communities we serve. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to creating opportunities for young people, tackling inequality and bringing people together around a common purpose.
“I am delighted to welcome Paul to Babbasa and excited about what his appointment means for the future of the organisation. His experience across employment, housing, community development and refugee integration complements our mission perfectly. As we continue to grow the impact of OurCity2030, Paul’s leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our partnerships, expanding our influence and ensuring that more young people can access the opportunities they deserve.”
Founded in Bristol, Babbasa works with young people, employers and partners across the city to address barriers to employment and progression, helping diverse talent access sustainable career opportunities and creating a more inclusive regional economy.
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