Ranjit came to the UK on a scholarship and graduated in Theoretical Physics in 1972 from the University of Birmingham, but set aside a career in the sciences to engage in community and public service. He founded the Asian Resource Centre in Handsworth, Birmingham in 1976. He was Senior Lecturer in Community and Youth Studies at University of Birmingham Westhill from 1985 to 2005.
He has served on a number of regional and national regulatory and governing bodies, including Vice Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, Board Member of the Independent Broadcasting Authority, Board Member of the Radio Authority, Chairman of the Refugee Employment, Training and Education Forum, Member of the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct, Governor of the BBC with special responsibility for England, Trustee of the National Gallery, Board Member of the Tenants’ Services Authority, Chairman of the Heart of Birmingham Primary Care Trust, Vice Chairman of Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group, Commissioner of the Civil Service Commission, Commissioner of the Judicial Appointments Commission, Commissioner of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, Member of the Queen’s Counsel Selection Panel, Member of Counsel of the University of Birmingham, Chairman of Sampad South Asian Arts and Heritage, Trustee of Citizens UK, and Board Member of the Professional Conduct Committee of the Bar Standards Board.
He is currently a Board Member of Guide Dogs for the Blind, Trustee of the Nishkam Health Project at Soho Road Sikh Temple, Trustee of Hope Projects for destitute asylum seekers in Birmingham, Senior Independent Director of the Black Country Integrated Care Board, Associate Non-Executive Director at University Hospitals Birmingham, and Trustee of the Canal and River Trust.
When asked about his motivation in activism, Ranjit Sondhi says:
“Whether I’m working outside the system or working from inside the system, it has been one of my driving forces in life to oppose any kind of exploitation and discrimination.”
