Sadiq Khan scoops top accolade at GG2 Leadership Awards

LONDON mayor Sadiq Khan, the first Muslim to become the mayor of a major European city, was presented with the highest accloade at the glamorous GG2 Leadership awards this evening.

The former lawyer, who grew up in a council flat in south London and is now one of the most powerful politicians in the country, was handed the coveted GG2 Hammer Award for breaking through

the proverbial glass ceiling.

It was an evening of double celebrations for Khan who also topped the GG2 Power List – a compilation of the 101 most powerful Asians in the UK - which was launched during the evening.

Following Khan in second place is Sajid Javid, the secretary of state for communities and local government, and Priti Patel, secretary of state for international development, respectively.

Khan, 46, who is married to lawyer Saadiya and a father of two teenage daughters, received the top accolade during the GG2 Leadership Awards in central London, which celebrates talent among

Britain’s ethnic minority communities.

Earlier this year, the former Labour MP for Tooting who is tipped to be a future Labour leader, scooped 57 per cent of the votes following a tightly fought campaign against Zac Goldsmith during the mayoral elections.Khan,

The evening also saw Baroness (Patricia) Scotland of Asthal take part in an enlightening question and answer session with Nihal Arthanayake where she spoke about overcoming racism as a child growing up in east London.

Now in their 18th year, the GG2 Leadership Awards are hosted by the Asian Media and Marketing Group (AMG), publishers of Garavi Gujarat, Eastern Eye, Asian Trader and Pharmacy Business.

There were a total of 11 gongs which were presented to high achievers, among them Baroness (Patricia) Scotland of Asthal, Commonwealth secretary-general, who received the GG2 Woman of the Year

Award and professor Kevin Fenton, national director of health and wellbeing at Public Health England, who was named GG2 Man of the Year.

Indhu Rubasingham, artistic director of the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn, north London, scooped the GG2 Media and Creative Arts award.

Kalpesh Solanki, group managing editor, AMG, said: “The GG2 Leadership Awards are designed to recognise and promote individuals who have excelled and broken through barriers. They have become the preeminent event which helps promote diversity and encourages the next generation of leaders to connect with organisations who embrace diversity.”

· For full coverage of the GG2 Leadership Awards, pick up next week’s issue of Eastern Eye

· To receive a copy of the GG2 Power List, call 020 7928 1234 or email saurin.shah@amg.biz

The full list of winners:

GG2 Spirit in the Community Award

Professor Sir Nilesh Samani Medical Director at British Heart Foundation

GG2 Young Journalist of the Year

Annabal Bagdi senior reporter at Oxford Mail

GG2 Media & Creative Arts Award

Indhu Rubasingham Artistic Director at Tricycle Theatre

GG2 World Food Award

MAP Trading

GG2 Inspire Award

Ruqsana Begum British Atomweight Muay-Thai kick boxing champion.

GG2 Achievement through Adversity

Baluji Shrivastav Musical Director and founder of Baluji Music Foundation

GG2 Pride of Britain Award

Juliet Sargeant garden designer at Juliet Designs

GG2 Entrepreneur of the Year

Frank Leung Chairman of Polecross

GG2 Woman of the Year

Baroness (Patricia) Scotland of Asthal Commonwealth secretary-general

GG2 Man of the Year

Professor Kevin Fenton national director of health and wellbeing at Public Health England

GG2 Hammer Award

Sadiq Khan mayor of London