Business leaders, entertainers, sporting figures and community champions gathered in London for the 24th Asian Achievers Awards, celebrating the achievements and contributions of British Asians across business, culture, sport and wider society.
The ceremony, one of the UK’s longest-running celebrations of British Asian achievement, drew messages of support from political leaders including Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey.
Burnham said the awards had, for more than two decades, celebrated the “outstanding contribution of British Asians”, describing the ceremony as “such an important occasion in the calendar”.
Badenoch said, “Britain succeeds when hard work, ambition and contribution are rewarded. I am delighted to see that celebrated tonight.”
Davey said the awards provided “a vital way of celebrating” how South Asians in Britain had demonstrated “resilience, innovation and foresight” in addressing economic and societal challenges.
Among this year’s winners were Batra Group executive chairman Rajiv Batra, Scottish Parliament’s first Indian Sikh woman elected member Dr Pam Gosal MBE, Sandea Wholesale founder Sanjeet Manek, Bennett, Coleman & Co chief creative officer Nonita Kalra, former Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Liverpool sports medicine chief Dr Zafar Iqbal, runVT founder Balvinder Singh Sanghera, art collector Gaurav Khullar, Curium Biopharma CEO Chaitanya Tatineni, human rights and gender justice professor Sunita Toor, multicultural marketing specialist Manish Tiwari, and Rifco Theatre founder and CEO Pravesh Kumar MBE.
Actor Nitin Ganatra OBE hosted the evening, which also featured performances from Asian-R&B fusion pioneer Rishi Rich, who appeared alongside Ustad Rafaqat Ali Khan, known for his work on Krrish, Dhokha and Coke Studio. BBC’s Man Like Mobeen star Tez Ilyas provided a stand-up comedy performance.
Pratik Dattani, managing director of advisory firm EPG, which organised the awards, said the event had particular significance amid Britain’s cost-of-living pressures, political changes and debates around immigration.
“At a time when Britain is facing a continued cost-of-living crisis, frequent changes in government and an anti-immigrant sentiment, our Awards showcase the very best of what our community has to offer,” he said. “I’m so proud that this event is considered the leading one of its kind in the UK, even after 24 years.”
The event was supported by State Bank of India (UK), charity partner Pardada Pardadi, AI firm Lorefully, Entrepreneur Asia Pacific magazine, Fortnum & Mason Concierge, Bridge India, Kingfisher Drinks and Indri whisky, with Asian Voice and LycaRadio as media partners.
Pardada Pardadi works to socially uplift and economically empower girls and women in Uttar Pradesh through education, health and hygiene, community development and economic empowerment.
The achievers who took centre stage
Achievement in Art and Culture
- WINNER - Pravesh Kumar MBE, Founder and CEO, Rifco Theatre
- Anjana Vasan, BAFTA award-winning theatre and TV actress
- Neelam Gill, Model
- Nikita Pathakji, Winner, Great British Menu
- Saurav Dutt, Author
Achievement in Community Service
- WINNER - Dr Pam Gosal MBE, Former MSP and Deputy Chair, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Mesba Ahmed MBE, CEO, London Tigers
- Nazim Ali, Charity Fundraiser, Ramadan Runner
- Sujan Katuwal MBE, Founder, Panas Gurkha Restaurant
Achievement in Media
- WINNER - Balvinder Singh Sanghera, Founder and CEO, runVT
- Tommy Nagra, Former Director of Content, BBC Children in Need
- Aaron Paul, Football Commentator
- Sarita Sabharwal, Presenter, LycaRadio
Sports Personality of the Year
- WINNER - Dr Zafar Iqbal, Former Medical Director, Arsenal FC
- Aaron Rai, Golfer, US PGA Championship Winner
- Mariam Mahmood, Footballer, Pakistan Women’s National Team, Wrexham AFC Women
- Sanjeev Sharma, Owner and Director, Southall Football Club
Business Person of the Year
- WINNER - Rajiv Batra, Executive Chairman, Batra Group
- Abbas Esufally, Deputy Chairman, Hemas Holdings plc
- Des Gunawardena, Founder, D3 Collective Limited
- Kamal Pankhania, CEO, Westcombe Group
- Priyanjith Weerasooria, Group MD, FINCO Holdings
Entrepreneur of the Year
- WINNER - Sanjeet Manek, Founder, Sandea Wholesale
- Karan Gokani, Co-Founder, Hoppers
- Nilofar Jaques, Founder, Anayah Jewellery
- Rhim Shah, CEO, Arva AI
- Roheel Ahmad, CEO, Forsyth Barnes
- Subodh Joshi and Sujay Sohani, Co-Founders, Shree Krishna Vada Pav
Lifetime Achievement Award
WINNER - Nonita Kalra, Chief Creative Officer - Luxury, Fashion and Lifestyle, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.
Professional of the Year
- WINNER - Chaitanya Tatineni, CEO, Curium Biopharma
- Fezaa Sheikh, Partner, Kingsley Wood
- Manthi Wickramasooriya, Partner, Quinn Emanuel
- Prof Shitij Kapur, Vice Chancellor and President, King’s College London
- Rushanka Amrutkar FRAS, Data Governance and Analytics, Environment Agency
Special Award for Contribution to Media
WINNER - Manish Tiwari, Founder and CEO, Here & Now 365
Special Award for Contribution to Art
WINNER - Gaurav Khullar, art collector
Woman of the Year
- WINNER - Prof Sunita Toor, Prof, Human Rights and Gender, Sheffield Hallam University
- Dipna Anand, Chef, Author and Culinary Instructor
- Farzana Baduel, Co-Founder and CEO, Curzon PR
- Prity Somani, Co-Founder and Director, Kara Healthcare
- Venya Wijegunerwardene, Chief Strategy Officer, Spark Foundry UK
