Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Javid pays tribute to inspirational Asians featured in GG2 Power List  

A LEADING corporate boss, a prominent mental health advocate and a lawyer to the stars were among the winners at this year’s annual GG2 Leadership Awards in London last Thursday evening (10).

Nitin Paranjpe, chief operating officer at Unilever, one of the world’s most renowned consumer goods companies, scooped the top honour- the coveted GG2 Hammer Award – for his efforts in blazing a trail for diversity.


Businessman Viswas Raghavan, chief executive of JPMorgan for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, was honoured with the GG2 Man of the Year award, while City Mental Health Alliance founder Poppy Jaman OBE scooped the Woman of the Year.

Ayesha Vardag, often called ‘Britain’s top divorce lawyer’, won the GG2 Outstanding Achievement in Law award. The founder and president of law firm Vardags campaigned for no-fault divorces and pre-nups to be recognised in the UK.

The event, now in its 21st year, celebrates Britain’s most enterprising and talented black, Asian and minority high achievers.

The evening also saw the launch of the GG2 Power List2020, a ranking of the 101 most influential British Asians.

Chancellor Sajid Javid, who topped the list for the second year in a row, was the chief guest at the awards ceremony. He told guests that he was honoured to be recognised on the GG2 Power List for the second time.

“I am proud to live in a Britain where anyone can become chancellor, whatever their background,” he said. “Each person on this year’s Power List has their own story to tell, but the example they set to young Asian women and men is helping to create a better and brighter future for Britain. I commend and congratulate them all.”

Sajid Javid

Home secretary Priti Patel and campaigner Gina Miller were placed second and third, respectively, on the list.

In total, 14 awards were presented on the night.

Other winners included Randeep S Lall, the co-founder of humanitarian aid organisation NishkamSWAT; Caucher Brikar, professor of mathematics at Cambridge University; and scientist Kriti Sharma, founder of AI For Good. Fashion designer Ozwald Boateng, who did the costumes for the 2018 Hollywood blockbuster Black Panther, was named GG2 Icon of the year.

Shailesh Solanki, executive editor of the Asian Media Group, which hosted the event, said: “This year’s winners are an exceptional group of individuals who have excelled in their relevant sectors, and have become successful and inspirational role models for their communities and wider communities around the UK.

“The GG2 Leadership Awards remain an important event which celebrates diversity in the UK. Our nominees and winners have shown tremendous achievements which have made a positive impact on the country.”

Sajid Javid (M), Shailesh Solanki (L), and Kalpesh Solanki of the Asian Media Group.

BBC radio presenter Nihal Arthanayake was the ceremony’s presenter, while the multi-award-winning classical group Ayoub Sisters performed on the night.

The event also saw guests raise funds for the Isha Foundation and the Cauvery Calling initiative, which aims to revitalise one of south India’s most important depleting rivers, the Cauvery.

Earlier in the day, the GG2 Diversity Conference heard from a range of speakers about race, identity and the gender pay gap, among other issues.

Delegates included author and thought leader Matthew Syed; Dawn Butler MP; assistant police commissioner Neil Basu and Ravi Chand CBE.

Copies of the GG2 Power List are available to purchase. To order a copy, call Saurin Shah on 020 7654 7737 or send an email to saurin.shah@amg.biz

More For You

David Joseph

Joseph has chaired several BRIT Awards shows and was an executive producer of the Oscar and BAFTA-winning 2015 documentary Amy.

David Joseph named new CEO of the RSA

THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF ARTS (RSA) has announced the appointment of David Joseph CBE as its next chief executive officer. He will take over the role in September, succeeding Andy Haldane.

Joseph previously served as chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK for 17 years. During his time at the company, he oversaw its transformation into a global exporter of British music and worked with several major international artists.

Keep ReadingShow less
Labour Rift Deepens as MPs Prepare for Crucial Welfare Bill Vote

People take part in a protest against disability welfare cuts on June 30, 2025 in London. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

MPs to vote on welfare bill amid Labour divisions

DOZENS of Labour MPs are expected to vote against the government’s welfare reforms despite recent concessions aimed at easing opposition.

The government had initially planned to tighten eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (Pip) but later said the stricter rules would only apply to new claimants from November 2025.

Keep ReadingShow less
We The Women makes UK debut with stories of courage and truth

Sudha Murthy and Karan Johar

Image Credits: Barkha Dutt / We The Women / Mojo Story

We The Women makes UK debut with stories of courage and truth

Mahesh Liloriya

The acclaimed women-led festival We The Women, curated by veteran journalist Barkha Dutt, made its powerful UK debut on June 29 at London’s Riverside Studios. Presented in partnership with Vedanta, the event brought together transformative voices from India and the British-Indian diaspora, showcasing unfiltered, emotional, and often raw storytelling.

Among the standout moments was Rashmika Mandanna’s candid discussion on her values-first approach to fame. The actor received thunderous applause when she shared, “I’ve said no to scripts because they required me to smoke. If I don’t feel good about something, I won’t do it.” Her firm stance echoed the festival’s core ethos, prioritising authenticity over popularity.

Keep ReadingShow less
Telangana-blast-Reuters

Rescue workers look for survivors after an explosion and fire at a chemical factory, in Sangareddy, Telangana, India, June 30, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

India chemical factory blast death toll rises to 39, probe underway

THE DEATH toll from the explosion and fire at the Sigachi Industries chemical factory in Sangareddy, Telangana, has risen to at least 39, officials said on Tuesday, as rescue teams continued clearing debris for a second day.

The explosion occurred on Monday and turned large parts of the building into rubble. State authorities confirmed the toll had risen to 39, Reuters reported. Thirty-four others were injured in the incident, according to officials.

Keep ReadingShow less
Covid inquiry begins probe into care home deaths

FILE PHOTO: A mother and daughter sit atop the Covid memorial wall on September 9, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

Covid inquiry begins probe into care home deaths

THE Covid inquiry has started examining how the pandemic affected care services for older and disabled people, with families describing the crisis as one of the worst failures of the pandemic.

Nearly 46,000 care home residents died with Covid in England and Wales between March 2020 and January 2022, with many deaths happening in the first weeks of the outbreak.

Keep ReadingShow less