Youth group SLYNCS has welcomed three female key officers to its board.

Following elections at its AGM, SLYNCS has appointed Lubna Khan, Saima Bilal Zeb and Maryam Batan in the positions of Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer respectively, marking a notable female Asian presence in its hierarchy for the first time.

The AGM reflected on the organisations journey in 2015 as well as discussing plans to continue working across the North West and developing links and programmes across East Lancashire.

Founder Jaffer Hussain is particularly pleased with the new appointments, hoping that women holding positions of power within a prominent community organisation should help shape the future of Blackburn with Darwen.

Jaffer said, “For as long as I've been in the youth and community sector, I've never known an organisation to have the top three elected senior positions to be held by women.

“I think it's an incredible achievement for us as an organisation knowing that women are helping to shape the organisation moving forward.

“Lubna, Saima and Maryam are role models to many of our young girls in the organisation who now feel that they too can help shape the future of the town and indeed the country by just taking an active part.

“As CEO, I am incredibly lucky to have 3 people with such an in depth knowledge of the sector and the communities and I am really looking forward to working with them all.”

Lubna Khan said, “I am honoured and privileged to become the first female Chair of SLYNCS.

“When the top three positions in SLYNCS were announced as being those given to three females of different ethnic backgrounds it was apparent that SLYNCS was leading by example in terms of diversification and equal opportunities.

“Our young people inspire me daily in their commitment, passion and their leadership on social action campaigns to help make their communities and their county better and more prosperous.

“Their work at home and internationally is a credit to the organisation, themselves, their families and Blackburn.

“We want to give these young people more opportunities to develop and our aim for 2016 is to work closely as a board to help achieve this.”

Saima Bilal Zeb, who assumes the Vice Chair role is excited about the prospect of working with her newly appointed colleagues.

“SLYNCS is a well-known organisation for young people with a fantastic reputation. I am honoured to be Vice Chair of such an organisation.

“This is a great chance to give back to a community I have gained so much from.

“I look forward to working with Lubna and Maryam. As they say, women power!”

Maryam says she is immensely looking forward to working with her peers. “I am really pleased to be Treasurer at SLYNCS which is a young organisation that has had a fantastic journey.

“I know everyone involved will work together to ensure the organisation goes from strength to strength, building on the great work done with young people and communities at local, national and international levels.

“I am looking forward to working with Saima and Lubna as behind successful men are strong women, in the case of SLYNCS it is most fortunate to have 3!”