Syima Aslam is the CEO & Artistic Director of the Bradford Literature Festival (BLF), which she established in 2014. A 10-day literary and cultural celebration, BLF welcomes more than 100,000 visitors to Bradford annually and is celebrated as Europe’s most diverse literature festival. BLF is a global cultural exchange with international partners. Over the last 10 years BLF has attracted over 550,000 visitors from 30 countries, and hosted artists from 72 countries. A thoughtful festival, with a point of view and sense of place, BLF reflects contemporary Britain and the world. BLF is hailed as ‘one of the most innovative and inspirational festivals in the UK’, bringing together literature from all genres, promoting intercultural fluency, providing a platform for marginalised voices, and reflecting the changing face of contemporary Britain through a programme which celebrates diversity, empathy, and artistic excellence. Syima Aslam remains the driving force behind the festival. An economist by background, with extensive experience across a range of sectors including inward investment & regeneration, education, and data & marketing solutions, her ambition is to create real and lasting change. Her commitment to young people and passionate belief that education has the ability to change lives, is the inspiration behind everything she has achieved with the festival. Syima Aslam's remarkable journey and contributions in the world of literature and cultural exchange resonate deeply, as such she has been made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bradford. In 2022, she became a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of her achievements to date for services to literature. In 2024, Syima was recognised in the Muslim 500 list as one of The 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World.