Female heroines of Asian Britain line up for honours

The announcement of Britain’s most inspirational Asian women came closer today with the publication of this year’s Asian Women of Achievement Awards shortlist.

Founded and chaired by Indian-born author and entrepreneur Pinky Lilani OBE, and held in association with Lloyds Banking Group, the awards champion often unsung women of Asian origin.

Cherie Blair is the long-standing patron of the awards, which have celebrated the vibrant contribution of Asian women to Britain’s multicultural society for more than a decade.

Previous winners include Eastenders actress Nina Wadia, BBC London anchor Riz Lateef, CEO MITIE Group, Ruby McGregor-Smith, and world-leading academic Professor Xiangqian Jang.

Over the past three months, remarkable nominations have been received from the worlds of business, media, arts, politics and the voluntary sector.

The 2010 shortlist includes Maisy Ng, managing partner of venture capitalists, Add Partners; Bee Thakore, founder of successful engineering and business consultancy Big on Good Solutions; and Shazia Awan, CEO of fast-growing underwear brand Peachy Pink and prospective Conservative party candidate for Leigh.

Those in the running for the Young Achiever Award include England cricketer Isa Guha who in 2009 was an integral part of the victorious England Women’s Cricket Team; the UK’s youngest parliamentary candidate, Emily Benn; and Anjali Pathak, the creative force behind Indian food dynasty Patak’s.

Senior individuals from blue-chip companies such as NBC Universal, Microsoft UK, and ITV Central are also hoping to be honoured at the awards.

The award winners will be announced at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards ceremony at the London Hilton on May 19.

Last year’s glittering event was attended by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den judge James Caan, and actress Meera Syal.

Pinky Lilani said: “These awards not only celebrate the success of some of Britain’s most high-profile Asian women, they also help identify the next generation of inspirational Asian talent.

The exceptional women shortlisted in the Young Achiever category this year are fantastic role models for others.”

Kamel Hothi, head of niche markets at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “Asian women now occupy some of the most influential positions in business and public life whether it’s in government, the arts, media and the world of professional services.

“Through our support for the Asian community and women in business, we’re working hard to ensure that as a bank we are offering the services they need to succeed and help shape post-recession Britain.”

For information on the awards, visit: http://awa.realbusiness.co.uk/