Huddersfield investigative journalist and filmmaker Mobeen Azhar has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Leeds Trinity University for his exceptional achievements and contribution to journalism.  

Mobeen, who studied Broadcast Journalism at Leeds Trinity and graduated in 2005, has just had his latest documentary ‘Scam Land: Money, Mayhem and Maseratis’ air on TV.  

In his latest series, Mobeen puts his investigative journalist skills to use and delves deep into the story and lavish lifestyle of Gurvin Singh, a 20-year-old medical student who went from handing out cash to strangers to being at the centre of an alleged multi-million-pound scam. The hard-hitting five-part series aired on BBC Three in August and is now available on BBC iPlayer.   

Mobeen’s specialist areas include religion, drugs, addiction, extremism, and counter extremism. He has produced and presented content across BBC Television, Radio and Online for almost 20 years. He is a BAFTA, Grierson, Amnesty and Royal Television Society award-winner.  

He has fronted documentaries for the BBC, including ‘Secrets of an ISIS Smartphone’; ‘The Battle for Britney: Fans, Cash, and a Conservatorship’; ‘The Best Pakistani Transgender Retirement Home’; and multiple editions of the flagship current affairs series Panorama.  

The 42-year-old was thrust into the spotlight following his investigation into the fatal police shooting of Huddersfield drug dealer Yassar Yaqub. The six-part series won an award at the Royal Television Society Awards in 2020.   

Mobeen is a Yorkshireman proud of his roots. Brought up in Birkby, Mobeen is one of four siblings. He is the son of a bus driver and a store owner who immigrated to the United Kingdom from Sialkot, a small village in Kashmir, Pakistan.  

During his moving speech at the ceremony, Mobeen thanked his parents for helping him through his studies and encouraging him to follow his dreams as well as his love of the artist Prince – who is one of Mobeen’ biggest influences in life. He went on to thank his husband for “putting up with his story chasing and lack of boundaries when it comes to work.”

Commenting on his time at Leeds Trinity, his career and the Honorary Fellowship, Mobeen said: “The time I spent at Leeds Trinity was by far the most fun in education I’ve ever had, and it certainly prepared me for a career in journalism.”

Leeds Trinity University alumni relations officer Brett Arnall said: “Mobeen is an incredible role model who not only shows passion and commitment to his trade but incredible bravery in everything he does.”

Fans can see and hear Mobeen’s latest work via his BBC World Service show ‘Outlook’, BBC Radio 4, BBC 5 Live, and watch his latest documentary series ‘Scam Land: Money, Mayhem and Maseratis ’ on BBC iPlayer.