Portsmouth entrepreneur whose work blends cultural heritage, innovation and global humanitarian impact
Nadia Arab’s acclaimed cookbook The Road From Karachi – a project she developed over 4.5 years – is now taught in schools, stocked in Waitrose Southsea, and available on Waterstones.com.
Rooted in her mother’s lost recipes, the book fuels her mission to provide clean water worldwide. The proceeds have funded the installation of over 177 clean water pumps in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Gaza, Sri Lanka and Kenya, with more than 100 proudly carrying the Portsmouth crest.
Her entrepreneurial creativity is unmistakable. She founded Ummi Mix, delivers high‑energy live cookery demonstrations, teaches at the Southsea Deli, and leads workshops that preserve food heritage for new generations. She also created Beariyani, her signature mascot celebrating the flavours and spirit of Karachi.
Nadia’s story reached national audiences through her appearance on BBC’s The Repair Shop. Her impact has earned major recognition, including winning the Business Emerging category at the Inspirational Woman of Portsmouth Awards 2025 and the Extraordinary Achievers Award for Outstanding Humanitarian in London (2026). She was also a runner-up in the Women in IT Awards 2018.
Beyond entrepreneurship, Nadia is a role model in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). As an IT lecturer at Havant and South Downs College, she breaks stereotypes in computer hardware teaching.
Also working as a fitness trainer committed to community wellbeing, Nadia’s blend of innovation, leadership and global service defines her as an exceptional changemaker.
