The Sunday Times Young Power List celebrating exceptional young individuals in the UK who are making a real difference across industries, from tech and sport to food and fashion, has been revealed.
This year’s list highlights not just talent, but also tenacity and innovation, and South Asians feature prominently among the 30 rising stars selected. The definition of power here isn’t just wealth or social media clout; it’s about influence, originality, and lasting impact.
Chosen by editors across the Sunday Times’ political, business, arts, and lifestyle teams, the individuals on the list are all aged 30 or under, based in the UK, and pushing the limits of what’s possible—whether on a global platform or behind the scenes.
Here’s a look at the South Asian young power-
Henna Zinzuwadia, 27 — Sommelier and Culinary Innovator
Leicester-born Henna Zinzuwadia has redefined the role of a sommelier by pairing wines with cuisines often overlooked by the fine dining world—Asian, African, Caribbean, and South American. Her work has spotlighted global ingredients and challenged traditional perceptions of wine pairing.
Her accolades speak volumes: GQ Sommelier of the Year 2022, People’s Choice Person of the Year by Be Inclusive Hospitality, and spots on both CODE’s 30 Under 30 and Perazim’s Top 25 Creatives in the UK. Internationally, she’s even served as sommelier for the American Chamber of Commerce in Kenya.
Zinzuwadia’s path to wine wasn’t conventional. While studying economics at the University of Manchester, a fall from a six-metre slide at a trampoline park forced her to pause and reconsider her future. That detour led her to Bedales wine bar in East London, where—despite knowing little about wine—she was captivated by the ritual and culture around it. Bedales gave her a chance, and within a year she was hosting tastings. She later earned certifications from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and rose to general manager.
Her career has since taken her to Akoko, a West African fine dining spot, and Pahli Hill Bandra Bhai, an Indian restaurant in Fitzrovia. Now freelance, she collaborates with MJ Wine Cellars and hosts her own tastings, bringing wine culture to new audiences.
Murvah Iqbal, 29 — Founder of Hived
In 2021, Murvah Iqbal launched Hived, a parcel delivery service powered entirely by electric vehicles. In a market known for poor customer satisfaction—Evri and Yodel scored just 32% and 38% respectively, according to Ofcom—Hived has offered a breath of fresh air. Today, its 250-vehicle fleet delivers for major retailers like Asos, Zara, and Nespresso across London.
The startup has raised £30 million in investment and completed more than five million deliveries. It’s now eyeing expansion in Birmingham and Manchester—her hometown. “Manchester is my hometown, so I’m excited about that,” Iqbal says.
Iqbal’s entrepreneurial instincts go way back. As a teenager, she helped brand her uncle’s diner chain, Archie’s, and played football for Manchester City Women’s youth teams. But it was a visit to Silicon Valley, where she toured Google and Tesla, that sparked her ambition to build something meaningful and scalable.
Simmy Dhillon, 27 — Co-founder of Simmer Eats
Simmy Dhillon co-founded Simmer Eats, a health-conscious meal delivery company that has become one of the UK’s fastest-growing businesses. It all started modestly—Dhillon, who grew up in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, cooked healthy meals at home and began selling extra portions to fellow students while studying economics at the University of Bristol.
As demand grew, he took a year off to focus on the business, all while interning at Google and an investment bank, and even travelling before launching Simmer Eats in 2017.
The company now offers more than 60 reheatable meals, with around 25 available weekly at an average price of £6.90. With national delivery, a team of 15, and £36.1 million in revenue for the year to January, Simmer Eats ranks 11th on the Sunday Times 100 list of the UK’s fastest-growing firms.
