The Asian Woman Of Achievement awards 2013 was held at the luxury London Hilton Park Lane and by celebrities, pioneering business men and woman, charity and community leaders and royalty, the red carpet was rolled out for this year’s special guest such as Cherie Blair, Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson and Miriam Gonzalez-Durantez and HRH Princess Badiya of Jordan to name a few.
The nominations this year where outstanding which made it extremely difficult for the judges to decide on a winner for each category. There was a host of Britain’s brightest, talented and most inspirational Asian females on the shortlist which included leading global immigration expert Sue Kukadia, who was presented with the RBS Asian Women of Achievement Chairman’s Award. Sue, director of global immigration at Ernst & Young, has won the award as a result of her inspirational professional achievements in building E&Y’s immigration offering to a world-class, 30-employee practice, growing at 40% a year.
A leading global immigration expert was one of 13 women recognised for their outstanding careers at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards last night (Wednesday 15 May) attended by guests including awards patron Cherie Blair, Princess Badiya bint El Hassan, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Maria Miller MP and the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson.
One of the most inspiring winners was Sue Kukadia, director of global immigration at Ernst & Young, was presented with the RBS AWA Chairman’s Award, the awards’ most prestigious accolade. Sue was recognised for her inspirational professional achievements in building E&Y’s immigration offering to a world-class, 30-employee practice, growing at 40% a year.
The founded India-born author and entrepreneur PinkyLilani OBE started these awards in 1999 she herself is the reason some of the entries where even nominated as many south Asian woman see her as an inspirational icon.
PinkyLilani said: “There is a growing confidence, positivity and youth about the new generation of Asian women achievers in Britain. When I started the Asian Women of Achievement awards in 1999, Asian women often worked away from the mainstream, accomplishing in their local communities, in niche industries, and a long way from the spotlight. Today, Asian women occupy positions of influence and power at the heart of British business, politics and society. I am delighted that the Asian Women of Achievement Awards continue to recognise the brightest and best.
Chris Sullivan, Chief Executive, RBS Corporate Banking, said: “This year’s winners of the Asian Women of Achievement Awards have exhibited success, verve and tenacity, and provide inspiration to us all, and we hope in particular to future generations of Asian women to fulfil their potential. RBS aims to promote diversity and encourage debate about how to nurture talent wherever it is found through direct support on the ground.
Sarah Ferguson told Asian World, “this is a great event celebrating woman’s achievement if I could give any advice I would say don’t look back look to the future.”
HRH Princess Badiya told Asian World it is great see Asian woman evolve and become strong role models, however it is a shame they are not all following the same aspiration, I have heard of Muslim woman writing to their daughters schools asking them to ban them from music art and dance classes, I think this is wrong.”
The Asian Women of Achievement Awards are hosted by Caspian Media and Real Business, in association with The Royal Bank of Scotland.
The other winners were:
• The Young Asian Woman of Achievement – Sanju Pal, Accenture Consultant and Founder of RISE, “an inspirational figure, and brilliant young woman” who founded a charity at the age of 26 to help underprivileged kids in India through citizenship activities in the UK.
• The Asian Woman of Achievement in Arts & Culture – Joint winners, Lolita Chakrabarti, Actress & Writer, “a real A-lister”, and ShaliniBhalla, Creative Director and Founder, Just Jhoom!, for turning an art form into a very successful business.
• The Asian Woman of Achievement in Business – A Harvard MBA graduate, Grace Wang, Managing Director, JP Morgan for triumphing in a male dominated industry, “she is evidence that the sky is the limit in terms of what women can achieve.”
• The Asian Woman of Achievement in Sport – Monica Thandi, Chairperson and Founder, Netball Development Trust works to introduce sports to children across rural parts of Africa and India, “helping children become more confident, embrace competition, and a can-do attitude”.
• The Asian Woman of Achievement in Media – Joint winners, RavinderBhogal, Broadcaster and Writer, “a rising rockstar in the culinary world, and Kalpna Woolf, Head of Production, BBC, for her incredible contribution to BBC’s operations in Bristol.
• The Asian Woman of Achievement in Public Service – Tab Ahmad, Founder and Managing Director, EmployAbility, for her work in helping disabled students move from education to employment, and for “changing the lives of young people”.
• The Social & Humanitarian Asian Woman of Achievement – MaliniMehra, Founder, Centre for Social Markets, “a force to be reckoned with”, for her pioneering work on sustainability and corporate responsibility.
• The Asian Women of Achievement’s Community Award – The Home Office for “delivering a diversity strategy that aims to empower staff and create a diverse talent pipeline” and working to change the perception of the civil service.
