Successful entrepreneurs gathered in the home of English cricket in Birmingham to celebrate their rich contribution to the UK economy at the fifth Asian Business Awards Midlands last night (7).
Hosted by the Asian Media and Marketing Group (AMG), publishers of Eastern Eye and Garavi Gujarat news weekly, the evening also saw the unveiling of the 2017 Asian Rich List Midlands– a compilation of the 51 wealthiest Asians in the region.
Guests heard West Midlands Conservative mayoral candidate Andy Street battle it out with Labour's Sion Simon who both answered questions on what they can offer residents in the area's first mayoral election next month.
Dr Nikesh Kotecha, managing director of Morningside Pharmaceuticals scooped the coveted Asian Business of the Year award.
Established just over 25 years ago, the company manufactures branded generic medicines and is a leading supplier to NHS pharmacies and exports to some 80 countries around the world.
Last year Kotecha was one of 30 leading CEO’s who accompanied Theresa May on her first visit to India as prime minister. He was singled out by May as one of the stars of the pharma industry.
In total, eight awards were presented on the evening, with winners drawn from a range of diverse industries, including retail, restaurants and an independent cinema chain.
The glittering awards ceremony recognises the best of the business world – from those who established enterprises when they first arrived on these shore in the 1960s and 1970s to today’s innovators, who are forging their own unique path to success.
Guests at the iconic Edgbaston Stadium included senior politicians, business tycoons and community leaders.
Husband and wife team Ranjit Singh and Baljinder Boparan topped the Asian Rich List Midlands with their companies' Boparan Holdings- parent company of 2 Sisters Food Group which is one of the country's largest food suppliers. They are worth an impressive £900 million.
The evening also saw members of the audience generously donating to the charity appeal- India Heritage Research Foundation (IHRF) which is an international humanitarian foundation founded and chaired by H.H. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji.
IHRF runs and sponsors free schools, women's vocational training programs, a medical clinic, orphanages and free medical health camps in India.
Asian Business Awards Midlands winners 2017
Healthcare Business Award
Jardines (UK) Limited
Restaurant Business Award
Five Rivers Group
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Kailash Suri, Managing Director, Reel Cinemas
Community Champion Award
Nishti Ismail, Founder, Nishti's Choice
Manufacturing Award
Shahid Sheikh, Managing Director, Clifton Packaging
Businesswoman of the Year Award:
Dame Asha Khemka DBE, Principal & Chief Executive, West Nottinghamshire College
Fast Growth Business Award
HKS Retail Limited
Asian Business of the Year
Dr Nikesh Kotecha, Managing Director, Morningside Pharmaceuticals
