"I look forward to an incredible night."
The 24th Asian Achievers Awards will take place on September 18, 2026, at Hilton Park Lane, London, and the shortlist has been announced.
Established in 2000, the event is the UK’s most prominent and longstanding celebration of British Asian achievement across multiple fields, including arts, business, politics and community service.
Supported by media partners Asian Voice, Gujarat Samachar and LycaRadio, the Asian Achievers Awards have consistently upheld their reputation as a beacon of excellence and prestige within the community.
Announcing this year’s shortlist, Pratik Dattani, Managing Director of EPG, said:
“We received a strong set of submissions this year for the Asian Achievers Awards. Judges looked for examples of leadership, impact and contribution to the community.
“Our Arts and Culture shortlist this year reflects the talent we have across our South Asian communities, including drama, modelling, TV and cookery, writing and theatre.
“The very best of luck to the shortlist, and I look forward to an incredible night.”
More than 500 nominations were received across eight award categories.
Categories this year include Arts and Culture, Business Person of the Year, Community Service, Entrepreneur of the Year, Media, Professional of the Year, Sports Personality of the Year, Woman of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be announced on the night.
Judges for the awards include Hallmark Care Homes chairman Avnish Goyal CBE, Parkinson’s UK Chief Executive Caroline Rassell, Lyca Radio Chief Executive Raj Baddhan, Fairgrowth Group founder Rajesh Agrawal, journalist Rishini Weeraratne, and former B&M Retail chief executive Simon Arora.
Nearly 600 guests, including celebrities, business leaders and global stars, are expected to attend the awards evening.
Nominated for Sports Personality of the Year is Aaron Rai, who won the PGA Championship.
Nikita Pathakji has been nominated in the Arts and Culture category.
The chef won Great British Menu 2026 and launched her first restaurant in South London in May.
Other nominees include Wrexham AFC Women’s forward Mariam Mahmood, model Neelam Gill and restaurateur Karan Gokani.
Community leaders, entrepreneurs and campaigners have also been recognised, including London Tigers Chief Executive Mesba Ahmed and human rights academic Professor Sunita Toor.
Former EastEnders actor Nitin Ganatra will return to host the Asian Achievers Awards.
The event will see performances from Rishi Rich, Ustad Rafaqat Ali Khan and comedian Tez Ilyas.
The charity partner for 2026 is Pardada Pardadi, an organisation working to improve educational opportunities, health and economic empowerment for girls and women in Uttar Pradesh, India.
The Complete Shortlist for the Asian Achievers Awards 2026
Arts and Culture
Anjana Vasan
Neelam Gill
Nikita Pathakji
Pravesh Kumar MBE
Saurav Dutt
Community Service
Dr Pam Gosal MBE
Mesba Ahmed MBE
Nazim Ali
Sujan Katuwal MBE
Media
Tommy Nagra
Aaron Paul
Balvinder Singh Sanghera
Sarita Sabharwal
Sports Personality of the Year
Aaron Rai
Dr Zafar Iqbal
Mariam Mahmood
Sanjeev Sharma
Business Person of the Year
Abbas Esufally
Des Gunawardena
Kamal Pankhania
Priyanjith Weerasooria
Rajiv Batra
Entrepreneur of the Year
Karan Gokani
Nilofar Jaques
Rhim Shah
Roheel Ahmad
Sanjeet Manek
Subodh Joshi & Sujay Sohani
Professional of the Year
Chaitanya Tatineni
Fezaa Sheikh
Manthi Wickramasooriya
Professor Shitij Kapur
Rushanka Amrutkar FRAS
Woman of the Year
Dipna Anand
Farzana Baduel
Prity Somani
Professor Sunita Toor
Venya Wijegunerwardene
The winners will be revealed at the gala ceremony on September 18, 2026.
The Asian Achievers Awards promise to be an evening of celebration, honouring the extraordinary accomplishments of South Asians who continue to shape the UK’s cultural, economic, and social landscape.
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