Taryn Khanam

Taryn Akhtar, BEM (Bengali: তারেন আরো; née Khanam; Bengali: খানাম) is a British civil servant, Director and co-founder of BritBangla, and a policy advisor for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

Khanam has a master's degree in Environmental Science and a Diploma in Public Relations.

In April 2003, Khanam co-founded BritBangla with Shirin Hussain. BritBangla is a social and professional networking organisation set up specifically to highlight the achievements of British Bengalis. It provides a platform for Bengali people to voice their views and aspirations, and it also brings together like-minded people through social and charitable events. Khanam organises social, educational and fund-raising events, as well as promoting BritBangla by establishing links with businesses, NGOs, government, education, arts and media.

Khanam was employed by the Department of Health (DH) as a policy adviser. She was invited by the US Embassy in London to participate in their International Visitors Leadership Programme aimed at fostering greater understanding between foreign nations and the people of the United States. She travelled to the US as part of a European regional project for Muslim leaders, and explored the impact of diversity on political, social and educational policies, issues and institutions, including youth leadership. Khanam now works for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

Khanam is also the communications officer for The John Adams Society, an alumni association for US Embassy exchange programs for England and Wales.

In June 2015, Khanam was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2015 Birthday Honours for services to Diversity in Government and the Bengali community in East London.