Seven Dials Covent Garden is a unique quarter of London whose star-shaped layout remains as constructed in the early 1690s. It was brought back to life largely through the dedication of the Seven Dials Trust, working in partnership with the local authorities and landowners for nearly forty years.

Jamal’s family came from Bangladesh. His father lived in Gerrard Street before it became China Town, moving to Seven Dials in 1964. Jamal went to St James’ & St Peter’s Primary School in Soho then to the Bluebird High School in Bangladesh. He completed his further education at City of Westminster College and higher education at University College London. He first became involved with the Trust in his late teens. Jamal recalls that during his childhood when he heard from his dad that the area would be demolished and replaced with high-rise buildings, pedways and an underground ring-road, he was excited, especially about the underground road network. Today he is glad none of that happened. As Seven Dials was his playground, he remembers how it used to be and how the physical character and fabric of the area have been enhanced since. “The Trust has achieved the unachievable and made life in the Dials proudly liveable with all the former magnificence of the 1690s restored”, says Jamal. He and his wife balance bringing up their family with running a design house. They are both involved in the annual Mela (usually held in locations such as Regent’s Park, the British Museum, the British Library and the Coram's Fields) which celebrates the cultural diversity of Camden and Westminster showcasing the outcome of activities carried out throughout the year by the schoolchildren, their teachers and parents as well as the youth organisations and community centres of Central London.

He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce; a member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, the Royal Historical Society, Enfield Society and IEEE; and Governor at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Amanda has lived in Seven Dials for 20 years with her husband and, latterly, her daughter. Her professional experience is mainly in banking and corporate finance and she has acted as finance director for several growth companies over the past 15 years. But her personal interests are more arts orientated, so she says that serving on the Seven Dials Trust is a pleasure in terms of history, architecture and public realm aesthetics. Amanda’s other charitable activities include serving on the UK Board of HOPE Worldwide since 1995, and working to represent the local community as Vice-Chair and a trustee of the Covent Garden Community Association.

Mark is Director of IT at the Firmdale Hotel Group. Firmdale has the Covent Garden Hotel in Monmouth Street among its portfolio of well-known hotels in London and New York. Through Mark’s involvement and with the support of Tim Kemp, Group chairman, the Trust has received invaluable IT advice and support. Mark devised the Trust's QR codes for the People’s Plaques scheme.