Jennings Group owner and managing director Nas Khan has been honoured for his charity work and contribution to the economy with an OBE in the Queen’s New Year's Honours list.

Khan, owner and managing director of North East-based Jennings Motor Group, which operates Ford, Kia, Mazda, Seat and Mitsubishi franchises, in addition to two Harley-Davidson dealerships and a Subway store, is founder of the Emaan Foundation charity.

The charity was founded in 2010 to rebuild the lives of people from his native land in Pakistan, following devastating floods in the region, raising £120,000 to deliver life-saving aid and finance the construction of a new village consisting of 60 homes.

In 2015 the Emaan Foundation led a second project to develop a health centre for the people of the village and has so far raised a further £20,000 towards the scheme.

Despite his effort, Khan said that he did not expect an inclusion in the New Year’s Honours list. He said: “I am very humbled and honoured. I really didn’t expect it.

“I’m extremely grateful for the recognition, but that isn’t why I do what I do.

“I’ve had a wonderful life and achieved much more than I ever thought I could.  I think people in the North East are very generous, there are so many people who have helped me.”

In addition to raising funds for the Emaan Foundation, Khan is also committed to the local community and charities. 

For the past 18 years, the Salvation Army has received support with its annual Christmas Present Appeal, as well as Teesside Hospice and the Great North Air Ambulance being the company’s nominated charities.