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The 24th Asian Achievers Awards, one of the United Kingdom’s most prominent and longstanding celebrations of British Asian achievement in business and society, brought together business leaders, celebrities and sports personalities in London on September 18, 2026.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said, “For more than two decades, these awards have celebrated the outstanding contribution of British Asians.” He also described the ceremony as “such an important occasion in the calendar.”
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said, “Britain succeeds when hard work, ambition and contribution are rewarded. I am delighted to see that celebrated tonight.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said, “These awards are a vital way of celebrating how South Asians in the UK have shown resilience, innovation and foresight to tackle the biggest economic and societal challenges facing Britain today.”
The honorees included Rajiv Batra, executive chairman of the Batra Group, which represents more than 20 brands, including Hunter, Fila, Reebok and Vera Wang, and supplies over 5,000 retailers worldwide.
Other recipients included Pam Gosal, the first Indian Sikh woman elected to the Scottish Parliament; Sanjeet Manek, founder of Sandea Wholesale and a recipient of the King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade; Nonita Kalra, chief creative officer at Bennett, Coleman & Co.; and Dr. Zafar Iqbal, former head of sports medicine at Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Liverpool football clubs.
The awards also recognized Balvinder Singh Sanghera, founder of runVT, one of the UK’s longest-established post-production companies; Gaurav Khullar, who owns one of India’s largest private heritage art collections; Chaitanya Tatineni, CEO of Curium Pharma, a company valued at more than $7 billion; Sunita Toor, a professor specializing in human rights and gender justice; Manish Tiwari, a leader in multicultural marketing in the UK; and Pravesh Kumar, MBE, founder and CEO of Rifco Theatre.
The event was organized by advisory firm EPG, with support from State Bank of India UK; charity partner Pardada Pardadi; artificial intelligence company Lorefully; Entrepreneur Asia Pacific magazine; Fortnum & Mason Concierge; think tank Bridge India; beverage partners Kingfisher Drinks and Indri whisky; and media partners Asian Voice and LycaRadio.
Actor Nitin Ganatra, OBE, hosted the evening. Speaking about this year’s program, EPG Managing Director Pratik Dattani said, “At a time when Britain is facing a continued cost-of-living crisis, frequent changes in government and anti-immigrant sentiment, our Awards showcase the very best of what our community has to offer. I’m so proud that this event is considered the leading one of its kind in the UK, even after 24 years.”
The program featured Asian R&B fusion pioneer Rishi Rich performing alongside Ustad Rafaqat Ali Khan, the singer known for his work in Krrish and Dhokha, as well as memorable Coke Studio performances. Comedian and Man Like Mobeen star Tez Ilyas entertained the audience with a stand-up comedy performance.
The event’s charity partner, Pardada Pardadi, works to advance the social and economic well-being of girls and women in Uttar Pradesh through “education, health and hygiene, community development and economic empowerment.”
Full list of Winners:
Achievement in Art and Culture
- WINNER – Pravesh Kumar MBE, Founder and CEO, Rifco Theatre
- Anjana Vasan, BAFTA award-winning theatre and TV actress
- Neelam Gill, Model
- Nikita Pathakji, Winner, Great British Menu
- Saurav Dutt, Author
Achievement in Community Service
- WINNER – Dr Pam Gosal MBE, Former MSP and Deputy Chair, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Mesba Ahmed MBE, CEO, London Tigers
- Nazim Ali, Charity Fundraiser, Ramadan Runner
- Sujan Katuwal MBE, Founder, Panas Gurkha Restaurant
Achievement in Media
- WINNER – Balvinder Singh Sanghera, Founder and CEO, runVT
- Tommy Nagra, Former Director of Content, BBC Children in Need
- Aaron Paul, Football Commentator
- Sarita Sabharwal, Presenter, LycaRadio
Sports Personality of the Year
- WINNER – Dr Zafar Iqbal, Former Medical Director, Arsenal FC
- Aaron Rai, Golfer, US PGA Championship Winner
- Mariam Mahmood, Footballer, Pakistan Women’s National Team, Wrexham AFC Women
- Sanjeev Sharma, Owner and Director, Southall Football Club
Business Person of the Year
- WINNER – Rajiv Batra, Executive Chairman, Batra Group
- Abbas Esufally, Deputy Chairman, Hemas Holdings plc
- Des Gunawardena, Founder, D3 Collective Limited
- Kamal Pankhania, CEO, Westcombe Group
- Priyanjith Weerasooria, Group MD, FINCO Holdings
Entrepreneur of the Year
- WINNER – Sanjeet Manek, Founder, Sandea Wholesale
- Karan Gokani, Co-Founder, Hoppers
- Nilofar Jaques, Founder, Anayah Jewellery
- Rhim Shah, CEO, Arva AI
- Roheel Ahmad, CEO, Forsyth Barnes
- Subodh Joshi and Sujay Sohani, Co-Founders, Shree Krishna Vada Pav
Lifetime Achievement Award
- WINNER – Nonita Kalra, Chief Creative Officer – Luxury, Fashion and Lifestyle, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.
Professional of the Year
- WINNER – Chaitanya Tatineni, CEO, Curium Biopharma
- Fezaa Sheikh, Partner, Kingsley Wood
- Manthi Wickramasooriya, Partner, Quinn Emanuel
- Prof Shitij Kapur, Vice Chancellor and President, King’s College London
- Rushanka Amrutkar FRAS, Data Governance and Analytics, Environment Agency
Special Award for Contribution to Media
- WINNER – Manish Tiwari, Founder and CEO, Here & Now 365
Special Award for Contribution to Art
- WINNER – Gaurav Khullar, art collector
Woman of the Year
- WINNER – Prof Sunita Toor, Prof, Human Rights and Gender, Sheffield Hallam University
- Dipna Anand, Chef, Author and Culinary Instructor
- Farzana Baduel, Co-Founder and CEO, Curzon PR
- Prity Somani, Co-Founder and Director, Kara Healthcare
- Venya Wijegunerwardene, Chief Strategy Officer, Spark Foundry UK
