Winners of the GG2 Leadership Awards 2014

Held on November 5, 2014, the GG2 Leadership Awards was a glamourous soiree at Westminster Park Bridge Plaza Hotel, London, the heart of Britain’s biggest city.

The evening invited a myriad of British Asian and non-Asian personalities to celebrate Asian success in all sectors of society.

Guests included popular musician Jay Sean who has just released his new track, ‘Tears in the Ocean’; Manish Bhasin from BBC’s Football League Show; as well as a number of MP’s including Keith Vaz and Culture Secretary Sajid Javid.

Of the high profile guests and senior politicians attending was Prime Minister David Cameron. In an engaging 10-minute speech, Cameron welcomed guests and addressed some of the key issues that the Asian community were facing today:

“Let us think big about what Britons of all backgrounds can achieve,” Cameron said. He also enthusiastically called for a future British Asian Prime Minister to lead the country:

“When I hear ‘sir’, ‘your honour’ or ‘right honourable’, I want them to be followed by a British Asian name. One day I want to hear that title ‘Prime Minister’ followed by a British Asian name.”

The Prime Minister later tweeted: “Delighted to celebrate & recognise the very best of British Asian community at this year’s GG2 Leadership Awards.”

Under the wing of the Asian Media & Marketing Group (AMG), the GG2 Leadership awards are now in their 16th year. The awards recognise some of the truly outstanding individuals of the British Asian community.

Managing Editor of the AMG Group, Kalpesh Solanki added: “There is an important and positive side to immigration which we should be celebrating and talking about.

“We must remember immigrants create jobs as well. From the Asian Rich List we have businesses that collectively employ millions of people, pay billions in taxes and have become great corporate citizens.”

In total, there were 12 awards given out, including the ‘Spirit in the Community Award’, which was given to Freedom charity founder, Aneeta Prem. The ‘Media & Creative Arts Award’ was won by popular radio presenter and British Asian personality Nihal Arthanayake.

The ‘Inspire Award’ was given to the well-deserving Parmi Dheensa, the founder of Include Me Too, a charitable organisation working closely with families with disabilities.

Also winning were popular Scottish Asian chef, Tony Singh, taking the ‘World Food Award’; while Dame Asha Khemka was awarded ‘Woman of the Year’. The late Flt Lt Rakesh Chauhan was awarded the prestigious ‘Pride of Britain’, and the ‘Hammer Award’ was given to Amol Rajan.

The GG2 Awards also saw the unveiling of the annual ‘Power List’. The GG2 Power List charts the most influential and powerful Asians in the UK.

Taking the crown in 2013, was recent Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, whose tireless efforts campaigning for human rights has made her one of the most visible teenagers in the world.

But taking the top spot for 2014 was Culture Secretary, Sajid Javid. In his speech, Mr Javid addressed the guests saying: “Culture is more than a privilege. It’s at the core of who we are and how we define ourselves.

“If you’re not engaged with our cultural life, you’re not engaged with our national life. And in 2014, too many Britons are culturally disfranchised.”

David Cameron supported fellow Conservative Javid, and it is thought that the idea of a British Asian Prime Minister may not be too far a truth, as Javid is expected to be Cameron’s successor as the Conservative Party leader.

Cameron said: “If you’re on the Power List, you have the power to inspire. If you’re nominated for an award, you can encourage others to follow your lead.”

Also on the Power List for 2014 were Keith Vaz MP, Sadiq Khan MP as well as Zayn Malik, Naga Munchetty, Jameela Jamil and Shami Chakrabarti.

Here is the full list of winners of the GG2 Leadership Awards 2014:

GG2 Spirit in the Community Award
Aneeta Prem

GG2 World Food Award
Tony Singh

GG2 Professional of the Year Award
Bhik Kotecha

GG2 Media & Creative Arts Award
Nihal Arthanayake

GG2 Young Journalist of the Year
Pesala Bandara

GG2 Achievement through Adversity
Ashish Goyal

GG2 Entrepreneur of the Year
Mamhud Kamani

GG2 Pride of Britain Award
Flt Lt Rakesh Chauhan

GG2 Inspire Award
Parmi Dheensa

GG2 Woman of the Year
Dame Asha Khemka

GG2 Man of The Year
Rami Ranger

GG2 Hammer Award
Amol Rajan

The GG2 Leadership Awards 2014 highlight the significance of the community coming together to recognise achievement, and it is certainly evident that British Asians have much to celebrate. Congratulations to all of the winners!

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