Q MBE
Qamar Khan MBE, known as ‘Q’, is a philanthropic entrepreneur. His two passions, property and cricket, have led Q to building Hamro Plc, a leading property part-exchange company, and developing the Hamro Foundation, a charity providing young people in Essex and London with the opportunity to play Q’s first love, cricket. Additionally, in 2020, Q acquired the Sri Lanka LPL T20 team, Dambulla Giants. These endeavours led to Q being awarded an MBE for Services to Charity and Cricket in 2022.
Q moved to the UK from Pakistan in 1977 and left home four years later, aged 16, after studying Business Studies at Debden College. Q worked through management training placements and as a finance manager before founding Eastway Property Services in 1992. Q went on to found Hamro Plc, a specialist part exchange provider for the new homes sector, in 2004 and built the company up to a thriving business working with leading housebuilders such as McCarthy and Stone, Miller Homes and Jones Homes.
Q has a strong belief that being able to share success and touch the lives of others is key to a happier life. Following Q’s success in business, he decided to give back to the community through his main passion of cricket and set up the Hamro Foundation in 2017. Additionally, to continue to support the growth of domestic and international cricket, Q purchased the Dambulla Giants franchise, a Sri Lanka LPL T20 cricket team.
Philanthropy
The Hamro Foundation aims to provide young people with the chance to play cricket and learn teamwork, discipline, and respect through playing the game. The foundation is looking to take cricket and sport to various places around London and the UK and use it to ignite new passions, teach vital skills, unite diverse groups, and educate young people. The Hamro Foundation has worked with organisations such as the Lords Taverners in the Wicketz Programme and other cricketing bodies.
Alongside his work with the Hamro Foundation, Q has provided funding to a variety of organisations and projects, including Essex Cricket Foundation, Surrey Foundation, National Fast Bowling Academy, and the MCC Foundation. With both the Essex and Surrey Foundations, Q helped fund projects working with school children to deliver cricketing activities such as tournaments, skills sessions and equipment.
The MCC Foundation funding helped run 54 cricket Hubs across the UK and, in 2020, Q and Hamro Plc became the major sponsor of the MCCs historic tour to Pakistan, bringing professional cricket back into the country for the first time since the 2009 terrorist attacks.
Dambulla Giants
In 2013 Q was diagnosed with Dystonia, a neurological disorder that is estimated to affect 100,000 people in the UK. Dystonia can impact the body in various ways, including painful muscle spasms and nerve damage. Dystonia is a lifelong condition that currently doesn’t have a cure. Charities such as Dystonia UK are supporting those with the condition.
The diagnosis limited Q’s ability to play cricket, so he decided to focus on supporting the game through the Hamro Foundation and in 2021 he purchased the Dambulla Giants, a Sri Lankan T20 cricket team playing in the Lanka Premier League (LPL). The LPL celebrated its inaugural season in 2020 and looks to build the presence of domestic cricket in Sri Lanka. Working with the Sri Lankan High Commission in London, the British consulate in Sri Lanka, and the Dambulla Giants, Q hopes to support Sri Lankan communities and use to medium of cricket to teach English, life skills, and provide the opportunity to play high-level cricket.
"Life is about being real, being humble, being strong and being able to share ourselves and touch the lives of others. Its only then we can have a full, happy and contented life."