In a time when fleeting achievements often dominate headlines, the story of Sanjib Bhattacharjee BEM stands as a glowing testament to purpose-driven dedication, social responsibility, and selfless service. Awarded the prestigious British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2025 New Year Honours, Sanjib has earned national recognition not just for his professional excellence as a driving instructor trainer in London, but for a lifetime devoted to community empowerment and road safety advocacy.
For over 25 years, Sanjib has made a deep and lasting impact across the London Boroughs of Newham, Redbridge, and Waltham Forest. His life journey is not just one of achievement but of meaningful contribution—a journey rooted in humility, built on compassion, and driven by a vision for safer roads and stronger communities.
Sanjib Bhattacharjee: A Legacy of Service that Began in India
Sanjib’s lifelong commitment to social good began during his student years in India. As a passionate youth volunteer with the Indian Red Cross Society and other charitable organisations, he played a vital role in grassroots initiatives—organising eye camps, coordinating flood relief, distributing essential medicines and food, and leading campaigns for road safety, tree preservation, and public health. These early experiences instilled in him an unwavering belief that even small acts of kindness can ripple into powerful change.
A New Beginning in the UK, the Same Commitment to Community
When Sanjib relocated to the UK in 1998, his mission didn’t waver. He became a Reading Volunteer, offered support to stroke patients, and immersed himself in a wide array of community development efforts. During his tenure in social housing, he encouraged residents to take pride in their neighbourhoods, inspiring them to become street and estate champions who would help build a culture of mutual respect and cooperation.
Sanjib Bhattacharjee: Empowering Through Education and Road Safety
In his professional role, Sanjib Bhattacharjee BEM is a Trainer and Mentor for Driving Instructors at the British School of Motoring (BSM) and the AA—two of the most respected names in UK motoring education. Since becoming an instructor in 2014 and progressing to instructor trainer by 2018, Sanjib has guided countless aspiring Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) through their rigorous three-part qualification journey. His work ensures that new instructors are not just qualified, but well-prepared to teach safe, responsible, and eco-conscious driving.
But Sanjib doesn’t stop there. His efforts extend far beyond the classroom and the steering wheel. His road safety campaigns are holistic and far-reaching. He promotes eco-safe driving practices, educates the public on fuel efficiency and emissions reduction, and conducts role-playing workshops to prepare individuals for unexpected road hazards. His efforts also focus on structural issues, like improving pedestrian crossings, repairing potholes, and enhancing road signage.
‘Connecting with Communities’—A Campaign for Culture Change
Sanjib’s flagship initiative, ‘Connecting with Communities’, is more than a campaign—it’s a movement. Through direct engagement with schools, local organisations, youth groups, and elders, he fosters a culture of empathy, responsibility, and safety on the roads. His sessions during National Volunteering Week go beyond road safety to address mental health, well-being, and understanding the Highway Code in evolving urban environments.
Each leaflet he distributes is not just paper—it’s a promise of practical guidance on vehicle maintenance, hazard anticipation, and efficient route planning. Every forum he leads becomes a platform for connection, learning, and the empowerment of future changemakers.
A Humbling Recognition—and a Message for the Future
When Sanjib received the envelope marked “On His Majesty’s Service”, the gravity of the moment left him speechless. Learning that the Prime Minister had recommended him for recognition by King Charles III was, in his own words, “a mixture of surprise and absolute joy.” Being awarded the British Empire Medal—the first for a London-based driving instructor trainer—was not just a personal milestone, but an invitation to inspire.
Sanjib humbly shared, “Receiving the BEM is not just a personal achievement but a chance to inspire others to get involved in their communities and make a positive difference.”
His participation in His Majesty The King’s press conference at the Tower of London offered him a rare platform to reflect on his journey and amplify the importance of road safety, volunteering, and grassroots activism.
A Voice for the Voiceless in a Growing Driving Test Crisis
While his accolades are well-earned, Sanjib continues to champion for others, especially as the UK grapples with a massive driving test backlog. With over 600,000 pending test bookings and wait times stretching up to 24 weeks, the consequences for learners and instructors alike have become dire.
Sanjib warns that this crisis is not just an inconvenience—it’s a risk. It impacts mental health, financial stability, and career progression. It encourages unethical shortcuts, threatens the quality of driver education, and may ultimately compromise road safety across Britain.
He urges the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to take urgent action, highlighting the need for higher examiner salaries, more robust recruitment, and better support for trainee instructors. Without intervention, he cautions, the UK risks losing its hard-won status as one of the safest nations for driving in the world.
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