Councillor Anwar was first elected as a Burnley Borough Councillor in 2018 and was appointed Leader of the Council in May 2021 having previously held the Community and Environmental Services portfolio.

His career job is with Lancashire County Council, where he has been employed since 2012 as a Manager in the Education Improvement Service, and has had a varied career, including time as a Consular Assistant at the American Embassy; sports development roles at Hyndburn Borough Council, Burnley Borough Council and Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic College; and as the Faith Coordinator at the Burnley & Pendle Faith Centre.

Councillor Anwar grew up in Burnley and has spent the whole of his adult life living and working in the Burnley area.  Committed to raising aspirations and community engagement, he is currently Chair of Governors at Barden Primary School; Building Bridges in Burnley; and a long serving Trustee at Burnley Ghausia Mosque.  Amongst other commitments he has recently taken on a role of Trustee at Burnley FC in the community.  In 2018 Councillor Anwar was awarded an MBE for services to Burnley in Her Majesty the Queens New Years Honours List.

Councillor Anwar’s administration is focussed on economic recovery from the effects of the COVID-19, ensuring Burnley gets the investment it needs for a more secure future, job retention and supporting our children and young people.