Nominations for the 21st annual Asian Achievers Awards now open

The nominations for the UK’s most prominent and longstanding celebration of British Asian achievement across multiple fields are now open.
South Asians in the UK today occupy leadership positions across a range of fields, including politics, business and civil society. The Asian Achievers Awards continue to recognise the outstanding work of such individuals within the South Asian community.
The next edition of the Awards will take place on Friday 15th September 2023 at the prestigious London Hilton on Park Lane. The event is organised by global advisory firm EPG in partnership with Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar.
In this year’s edition, the Awards paid tribute to Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II, with Dame Arlene Foster DBE PC, former First Minister of Northern Ireland, leading the tribute with a one-minute silence.
The evening was hosted by actor Nitin Ganatra OBE, and entrepreneur and documentary filmmaker Deana Uppal. It welcomed celebrities, public figures and dignitaries including Love Island contestant Priya Gopaldas; TOWIE stars Dani Imbert and Junaid Ahmed; comedian, Tez Ilyas (Man Like Mobeen); actors Raj Ghatak, Nisha Aaliya and Yanick Ghanty; music artists Bambi Bains, Rumer and H Dhami; Premier League presenter Manish Bhasin; former Miss England Hammasa Kohistani; Deputy Mayor for Business for London Rajesh Agrawal; Founder and Chairman, Vitabiotics Dr Kartar Lalvani OBE; Founder and Chairman of Lyca Subaskaran Allirajah, and lead researcher for the COVID vaccine from the Oxford Vaccine Group, Maheshi Ramasamy.
Now in their 21st year, the Asian Achievers Awards arerecognised as the most prestigious and longstanding celebration of the leading figures of the UK’s South Asian community and their achievements, initiated by public nominations.
There are ten categories available for nomination, including: Business Person Of The Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Uniformed And Civil Service, Media, Arts And Culture, Community Service, Sports Personality Of The Year, Professional Of The Year, Woman Of The Year and Entrepreneur Of The Year.
Former Prime Minister Liz Truss said: “This event is always a fantastic reminder of the tremendous contribution that the British Asian diaspora have made to the United Kingdom, and I am pleased to celebrate that alongside you.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Gujarat Samachar on its 50th anniversary. You have played a remarkable role in representing British Asian interests in the UK across the decades. This year we are also remembering 50 years since the expulsion of Ugandan Asians, which is another timely opportunity to pay tribute to the outstanding contribution of Asians to the UK.
“British Asians have always gone above and beyond, succeeding in every walk of life—the arts, sciences, business, and indeed our Conservative Government. Our country is all the stronger because of it.”
Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer said: “British Asians are a driving force behind the much of the social, cultural and economic innovation we see in Britain today. You represent so many of the values that help our communities thrive – inclusiveness, hard work and ambition to name a few. These are Labour values too.
“I grew up in a small town in Surrey. My dad worked as a toolmaker on the factory floor and my mum was a nurse for the NHS. Later I became the first in my family to go to university. So, like many in the room tonight, I share in the pride and sense of empowerment you will take from the inspirational stories of the nominees. I hope it will inspire those in the audience to succeed in the years ahead.
“Let me end by saying thank you to all the nominees, attendees and indeed the committed organisers for helping make Britain a better, brighter, more secure and more prosperous country. Your example is truly inspiring to me and my colleagues in the Labour Party.”
In the last edition, more than 500 nominations were received, from which the judges shortlisted four per category, evenly divided between male and female candidates.
Members of the public can nominate change-makers in the community they deem worth via the awards website at asianachieversawards.com.