The Asian Communications Network (ACN) celebrated its second anniversary with a dinner at the Cinnamon Club in Westminster, central London, on October 29, highlighting its growth, mentoring initiative, and inaugural ACN British Asian Changemakers List.
The inaugural ACN British Asian Changemakers List will be revealed at a launch celebration on November 19, and will recognize 21 leaders, seven in each of three categories: Public Relations & Communication; Marketing; and Media & Journalism.
ACN Co-Founder and Board Chair Advita Patel recalled how a conversation with Farzana Baduel and fellow founders more than two years ago led to the network’s creation.
“We had a chit-chat like we always do. We had a three-hour lunch or something, and we were chit-chatting about the community,” Patel said.
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The conversation took place around the time of the riots that followed the Southport tragedy. Patel said the three had heard from people in their professional circles who felt isolated, including those whose work involved reporting on the events.
“So we were saying, you know, we’d heard individually from people in our world calling us and talking to us about how isolated they felt and how lonely they felt, especially those folks who had to report on some of the tragedies that they were witnessing,” she said.
Their initial idea was modest: “Why don’t we do a dinner? Let’s hire a space for 12 people. We’ll see what the interest is.”
After they shared the plans on LinkedIn, 65 people attended.
“I think we actually launched the network that night. That’s how immediate we were. We were like, we need to do something to capture this moment. So, we launched that night, and we got our first few members in the ACN circle, and since then we have just absolutely grown and connected with so many incredible people,” Patel said.
Thanking members for their trust, Patel acknowledged that the founders initially had “no clue” what the network would become or how its purpose would develop.
“We just knew we needed something where people felt safe. We needed a place where people could connect over family dramas. We needed a place where people could come and talk about the randomness of what they witnessed at work and feel safe enough to talk about it and not feel weird mentioning it,” she said.
“But it took a lot of trust. It took a lot of trust in what we were doing and what we were building. We were learning as we were growing. We were learning as we were developing.”
Patel said ACN remains a young network, with its team continuing to learn and develop its activities. Recent initiatives include a mentoring program being piloted and the Change Makers Awards, with further plans for next year.
She thanked Baduel and the Curzon PR team, including David Olajide and Solomon Ibeh, as well as partners Lloyds Banking Group and Headland.
“But it’s a collective team effort, and there’s no way we would have been able to stand here with all of you if we weren’t doing that,” she said.
Patel also invited additional support, emphasizing that contributions could extend beyond funding to venues, events, recommendations and professional connections.
“We are looking for more support. We’re looking for sponsors. Please do come and speak to us if you think you can help us and support us. It doesn’t have to be from a monetary perspective,” she said.
Emb Hashmi, strategic co-chair of the Changemakers List, commended Baduel and Patel for developing the initiative.
“It’s their idea, it’s their concept, and I think it’s absolutely wonderful,” Hashmi said.
“I really think that this is a real celebration of every single person in this room and every single South Asian and Asian across the UK,” she added.
Hashmi emphasized the importance of recognizing creativity and the contributions people make through their professional and public roles. She said the awards gala will take place next month and that the initiative received more than 100 nominations despite a limited promotional period.
“We were blown away, basically not having that much time to kind of advertise it. And even in that small amount of time, we had 100-plus people who were nominated, which I think is phenomenal. And the candidates were absolutely outstanding,” she said.
Baduel thanked attendees and supporters, particularly Lloyds Banking Group, for backing the organization during its early development.
“It’s quite difficult for such a huge corporate to come and back a fledgling organization, particularly when diversity is not necessarily celebrated across the world. So, I just want to say a huge thank you on behalf of ACN for all the work that you do to support us,” she said.
According to its website, ACN is dedicated to “energizing, empowering, and elevating Asian professionals in the PR and communications industries.” Its mission includes strengthening professional connections, encouraging collaboration and creating a sense of belonging and mutual support among Asian communications professionals.
