Special Limited Edition ABC AWARDS Supplement

Presents Special Awards Supplement

12th Anniversary Dinner & Awards Ceremony 14 OCTOBER 2021

SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION ABC AWARDS SUPPLEMENT

T

he Asian Business Connexions Anniversary Dinner event is, without doubt, the largest celebration of Asian businesses and individuals in the North, attracting significant VIP’s and celebrity speakers.

The last 18 months has been a challenge with all business and personal areas adapting to the impact of Covid. In 2021 we have more of a reason and need to come together and celebrate the significant and sustained contribution of the Asian community from across the North East.

One of the main aims of Asian Business Connexions is to promote inclusivity and connection across the North East.

Inclusion and diversity are at the heart of the Annual Awards Dinner and although it celebrates the achievements of the Asian community, the event is open to all and will be a chance for people of all backgrounds to meet, celebrate and have fun together.

THE 12TH

ANNIVERSARY

ABC DINNER & AWARDS CEREMONY

After last year’s online ceremony, 2021’s

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“The richness of our society is dependent upon the richness of the people within it. The greater diversity, the greater the richness.

Being inclusive delivers”. – Ian Dormer, Managing Director of Rosh Engineering.

“As a business owner, I know first-hand the benefits of employing a diverse and inclusive workforce. A diverse mix of voices leads to better discussions, decisions and outcomes for everyone.

However, inclusion doesn’t just happen by chance. It is a conscious choice – a choice that we all have to make to build a better society, for ourselves and for our kids. I make this choice not only because I have a moral responsibility to, but also because it is business critical and the key to growth.” – Surbhi Vedhara, Partner at Sweeney Miller Law

Great Annual Savings group continue their support of Asian Business Connexions for the 3rd year running as the headline supporter of the 12th Anniversary Dinner & Awards Ceremony.

Originally founded in 2012 to provide business cost savings to companies in the North East, GAS has since grown to become a nationally renowned provider and one of the fastest growing companies in the UK. Their proven commitment to social, cultural and economic support of the North through years of community and charity work make them the perfect headline supporter for the ABC Awards.

words. They are guiding principles with meaning and intent and come with a set of tangible things that we do and behaviours we adopt to ensure we create an environment where everyone can belong, and be themselves. We want to lead by example so working with organisations such as ABC connections, helps us do that.” – North East LEP

event will be bigger and brighter than ever and the number of nominations reflects this! Over one hundred nominations were received, highlighting some outstanding achievements across the board.

“The North East LEP is an organisation that wants to do the right thing, think bigger, make a difference and achieve amazing things together as a team and a partnership. For us – inclusion, diversity, equity and belonging are more than just

“We are delighted to be supporting the Asian Business Connexions Awards 2021. The ABC plays an important role in promoting the North East’s Asian entrepreneurial talent to a national and international audience, and shines a light on the diverse communities and thriving businesses that we have in the region. We wish them success with this year’s awards.” – Brewin Dolphin

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WELCOME WORDS FROM THE CHAIRMAN I had a dream. The dream was to live in a region that recognised and respected individuality, celebrated diversity and encouraged inclusion.

This dream was shared with a small group that all had a similar vision, and a plan was formulated to make it so. As, without a plan, a dream is simply a fantasy.

Our plan: to establish the most inclusive region in our United Kingdom through the creation of a not-for-profit social enterprise that aimed to connect, support and promote the Asian and wider communities.

Whilst the goal at the time was maybe not as ambitious as it is now, as stated, it certainly was a major challenge and filled with risk.

In 2008 we were in the height of a Global crisis as a consequence of a financial meltdown, where banks literally broke. When I was sat around tables discussing support and engagement, representing the private sector, questions were asked. Who was representing the ethnic minority groups and how were they engaged? No one was able to answer this question.

In parallel, Jalf and I were regularly approached by members of the Asian community seeking help and assistance. It was with these factors in mind that we pulled together a group of merry men and women to try to do something about this lack of representation, the inequality, and division that existed.

My late father, who was one of the foremost community leaders within the North East, the general secretary of Newcastle Mosque, and an advocate for community cohesion coined the name Asian Business Connexions (ABC).

Jalf and I were encouraged, guided and supported by our later fathers and their friends, and numerous other individuals helping create our first board. A number of these friends have continued to devote their time, effort and energy to ABC selflessly, for which I am eternally grateful and we wouldn’t be here without them.

Yet never in a million years could we have planned for a global pandemic that in itself appears to be racist, killing three times as many ethnic people in comparison than White. Creating more division, empowering racist beliefs, and showcasing some of societies worst behaviours. From footballers, food workers, to frontline staff all reporting abuse, and public sector organisations being called out for being institutionally racist. No one should have to tolerate any type of physical and mental abuse, and nor should we allow it.

Through our work at ABC, we have always tried to positively address the challenges that exist within society and communities, not shying away from having difficult conversations or holding people to account.

Getting out of our comfort zones to address discrimination, division and intolerance. We have created a collaboration between the

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North West, Yorkshire and North East to establish the largest Asian representative body within the UK. Since its inception, Asian Business Connexions has rightly prioritised the Asian community, however our ambition has always been to take an inclusive approach and recognise that it is only through cohesion, collaboration and a common purpose that our community can truly come together.

Our #InclusionbyDefault campaign aims to improve inclusion within the workplace through raising education on BAME recruitment and barriers to inclusion within the workplace and our membership programme consolidates an extended network of diverse businesses who share our commitment to inclusion and equality.

The dinner this year is an amazing opportunity to showcase the brilliant achievements of the Asian members of our community while allowing everyone to join together to celebrate them. And this year’s nominees are of an amazing quality. They are all brilliant examples of the significant and sustained impact the Asian community makes across the public, private and third sectors. I don’t envy the judges in having to pick a winner!

Our speakers have purposefully been chosen as leading lights. Both Fatima and Shareen are true trailblazers. Incredibly inspiring role models that have created something truly special, demonstrating that being an Asian female isn’t a barrier, but a platform for success.

We wouldn’t be here without our sponsors and supporters, we are very grateful for everyone that has contributed to the success of ABC, and an extra special thank you to the ABC team, board, North West and Yorkshire Asian Business Associations, and the APPG for BAME Business for all of their commitment and hard work to our shared ambitions.

This evening brings together the best in entertainment, food and fun.

But above else a room filled with people sharing a common purpose, shouting to the world that our North East is a wonderful place, filled with passion, pride and positivity. We can and will make this region, our region, the most inclusive in the world!

Thank you and God bless.

Ammar Mirza CBE Founder and Chairman P.S. A special thank you to our media partner Asian Standard for pulling together this wonderful publication, and leading the charge on spreading our word.

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WE ARE ABC A

s a not-for-profit social enterprise our mission is to connect, support and promote the Asian and wider communities. Looking to start a business, have an existing business or just want to talk business, we can help. We can help you navigate through the funding and business support landscape and assist you in accessing the right support at the right time. An inclusive, action-orientated organisation that has made demonstrable impact for over a decade, membership is open to everyone – you don’t have to be Asian!

CONNECTING

SUPPORTING

PROMOTING

ABC is the first point of call for all Asian businesses and others wanting to engage with them, locally, nationally and internationally.

Exclusive discounts from other member businesses. Access to discounted business services worth thousands.

We are connected globally with a number of trade bodies and government agencies, providing an credible platform to link people and places.

Our network is now 100,000 strong and we can get a message out to over 1million people across the whole of the Northern Powerhouse.

Receive regular invites to the hugely popular, sell-out ABCurry Club events, business seminars and much more.

Working with the All Party Parliamentary Group for BAME Business and regional public bodies we lobby government alongside developing a range of practical support programmes.

We have trained thousands of local people, helped establish hundreds of new enterprises and are recognised as the foremost Asian social enterprise across the North of England.

Our range of partners ensure that we can get a message out to every single member of the Asian community. From Spice FM on radio, to Asian Standard on print and our own online presence, we have a wide and inclusive reach.

We are proud of our Asian cultural heritage and our communities. But as an organisation we have the honour of being born in the North East.

Our positive campaigns – AWESome Women, Inclusionbydefault and FABupNorth – promote people and empower inclusion and diversity.

ABC will celebrate the work ethics, achievements and cultural diversity of the Asian and wider business community. By establishing a network built upon trust and social inclusion, ABC will ensure that the representation of the Asian and wider business community is fair and equitable.

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Special Issue Sponsored by Asian Standard www.asiansatandard.co.uk | www.abconnexions.org

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS T

he Asian Sunday newspaper was founded by Fatima in 2011 as the UK’s first, free Sunday paper. With a focus on the news and lifestyles of South Asian communities in the UK, the Asian Sunday has become a leading voice for the South Asian community, literally delivering cross-community awareness to diverse, local communities. The Asian Sunday and the Asian Standard were originally launched in Bradford in 2011 and has now expanded across the North of England from Bradford to Kirklees, Leeds, Newcastle and Middlesbrough with plans to expand to a further 6 regions by 2025.

“I am delighted to be supporting this year’s ABC awards,” Fatima says. “It’s been a tough couple of years for businesses and so every recognition is richly deserved particularly as everyone has taken up the challenge of surviving through these unprecedented times.

FATIMA PATEL Managing Editor RF Media & Publishing Ltd Asian Standard & Asian Sunday News

“This also proves why organisations like ABC are much needed; it allows opportunities to be profiled, but also allows us all to come together and celebrate the diverse business community of the North East. It’s going to be a great night and I am looking forward to meeting people in person.”

S

hareen Qureshi is the marketing director at Barclays Bank and has been successfully committed to the Banking profession for 20 years. Prior to joining Barclay’s from 1997-2000, Shareen supported the ‘Youth Centre – West End Youth Enquiry Service’.

During this period, she helped students find purpose and direction, encouraging them to embark on a new journey.

SHAREEN QURESHI Market Development Director

Shareen has also supported international women’s day events, as well as mentoring STEM (Science, technology engineering and mathematics) female students. In 2018 she raised £1m for charities including; Best beginnings, Nelson Mandela Foundation, Santa Maria Foundation, Asmir Begovic Foundation, Kanu Foundation, Marina Dalglish, Missing people, Macmillan and many more.

Barclays

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GREAT ANNUAL SAVINGS

EDITORIAL

E

stablished by the Groves Family in 2021, Groves Family Community Foundation (GF Community Foundation) was created with the vision to address key social issues within County Durham and Sunderland.

The Foundation’s mission is to inspire individuals to make positive changes; be a champion of community spirit; and provide the tools and skills for people to create positive changes within their area.

Tom Lavender, Group Foundation Manager, and the team at GF Community Foundation have already begun working with community groups, councils, schools and individuals to provide vital support.

We caught up with Tom to find out how the Foundation’s first six months have gone.

Donation to Easington Lane Primary School

What is GF Community Foundation, and which local communities does it support?

“Our team are committed to working directly within County Durham and Sunderland to inspire individuals to make positive lifestyle changes and develop local people to continue to deliver impact.”

“The Foundation is currently operating within East Durham, Hetton and Easington Lane, Seaham and Spennymoor- areas which all share common challenges around local investment and opportunities. “

“To date, the Foundation has awarded over £50,000 in small grants to key groups that are providing essential support to communities and individuals following the devastating impact of COVID. “ What is the plan for GF Community Foundation over the next 12-months?

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‘National 3 Peaks Challenge’ to ‘Braving the Shave’. So far, nearly £14,000 has been raised and donated to our ongoing projects and 100% of staff pay into our Give As You Earn scheme. “

“With a focus on Sport and Wellbeing Programmes and developing local people and volunteers, 2022 will see investment in galvanizing our communities, to work as one, ensuring we continue to deliver impact for years to come.”

“The team working for GF Community Foundation, and beyond at GF Group, are committed to providing ongoing support through fundraising and volunteer work.”

What impact has GF Community Foundation had on local area?

“GF Community Foundation has recruited a team of seven passionate individuals including five communitybased Impact Managers, all with strong links to the local area and a detailed knowledge of the people and the issues in each location. They work directly in these areas to provide tailored support to the groups that need it most. “

Tom Lavender Group - Foundation Manager

Halloween and Festive period. Tailored towards providing essential support and low-cost activities, our calendar of events are designed to be accessible to everyone within our community. “

“For the remainder of 2021, GF Community Foundation will be delivering some exciting events throughout the

Kaye Stephenson with Seaham Police following their donation of a defibrillator

What is the connection between Great Annual Savings and GF Community Foundation?

“Great Annual Savings (GAS) and GF Community Foundation are both a part of GF Group. Founded by Brad Groves, the Foundation works directly with the staff at GAS to raise essential funds. We are thrilled with the ongoing fundraising efforts from employees who have done everything from the

Where can I find out more?

“To find out more about the work GF Community Foundation is doing within the local community, head over to our social media pages by searching GF Community Foundation on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.”

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SPECIAL DR NAS KHAN OBE AWARD: VED PRAKASH VENAYAK J

ust like previous years, this year’s awards will also see a recipient of the very special Asian Business Connexions (ABC) Awards Dr Nas Khan OBE award.

The Dr Nas Khan OBE award was created in memory of one of the region’s leading entrepreneurs and philanthropists, which recognises the outstanding achievements of those who are dedicated to achieving community cohesion and equality in the North East.

Dr Khan arrived in Britain from Pakistan at the age of 14 unable to speak English but worked his way up through Jennings Motor Group before becoming its owner in 2005, overseeing its development into one of the region’s most successful businesses.

As well as his business achievements, the successful entrepreneur was known for his commitment to charities and the North East community, and also established his own Emaan Foundation, which was dedicated to building a village in Pakistan for a community devastated by earthquakes in 1999 and floods in 2010.

Dr Nas was awarded an OBE in 2017, in recognition of his business and community work. He sadly passed away in 2018, aged 58.

Here at Asian Business Connexions we wanted to keep the memory and the phenomenal work and achievements of Dr Nas Khan alive and so dedicated an award in his name, which acknowledges the outstanding efforts of those who are dedicated to supporting their own communities.

Ved Prakash Venayak was one of the founding members of the Tyne and Wear Racial Equality Council (TWREC) and one of the first members of the region’s Indian community.

Ved died, in May this year aged 93, but leaves a behind an incredible legacy.

The Gosforth man has been described by his peers as a selfless, kind and generous person who would go out of his way to help people settle into a new community.

This year’s recipient of the Dr Nas Khan OBE award is another revolutionary philanthropist and community champion –

Ved Prakash Venayak.

Being one of the first Indians to settle in the North East, he went out of his way to help new communities to settle in the region, offered them a hand of friendship and encouraged people settling in the area to establish good working relationships with local people.

Ved was instrumental in helping

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people from ethnic minority communities to play their part in supporting the local community, which has resulted in a positive contribution from South Asian communities, not just to the local economy but also to the social and cultural life of the region.

During Ved’s leading role on the TWREC Executive Committee, he helped to develop a policy for race equality in the North East and establish partnerships with institutions in the region.

He developed relationships with leaders of other ethnic minority communities and promoted respect and harmony amongst diverse communities in the area.

Ved followed the Hindu faith and had immense respect for all other faiths and people of no faith.

As founder member of the Indian

Association, he played a vital role in promoting Indian values amongst its members and encouraged participation in voluntary, charitable and worthy causes that improved the lives of people who were vulnerable and marginalised.

Ved worked closely with Northumbria Police to promote understanding between the police and the diverse communities.

As a senior member of Newcastle Rotary Club, Ved introduced projects to help others and supported numerous charitable causes, including end of life charity, Marie Curie.

Ved leaves behind an incredible body of work, which has impacted on industry and community and so there is no better recipient for this year’s very special Dr Nas Khan OBE award.

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2021 Over 100 nominations were received for this year’s awards ceremony. From this list, 27 finalists have been selected with the winners set to be announced on Thursday 14 October 2021 at the Grand Hotel, Gosforth Park when the celebrations commence for the ABC 12th Anniversary Dinner and Awards Ceremony.

This year’s award categories include:

Professional Business Lifetime Achievement Independent 3rd Sector Public Sector Spice FM People’s Choice

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Finalists 2021 AMAN SEHGAL Aman is a restructuring and insolvency lawyer at Keystone Law, with more than fifteen years’ experience working on high-profile corporate and personal insolvency cases that include multi-million-pound bankruptcies and fraud investigations. With expertise that covers dealing with contingency planning, insolvency filing requirements, debt restructuring, financing and rescheduling’s, acquisitions/sales, credit bidding, formal insolvency proceedings, restructurings, re-financing, and debt trading, his career has seen him advise an array of insolvency practitioners on various complex, public-interest litigation cases. Aman has significant experience in acting on behalf of The Insolvency Service in relation to all aspects of directors’ disqualification, from investigation through to prosecution and enforcement.

Using his expertise and professionalism Aman proved to be hugely valuable in assisting hundreds of directors in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

DR. ANANDAVARDHAN ANAND (DOC ANAND) Since arriving at Heathrow Airport in 1978 with £3.50 in his wallet, Dr A Anand has had a huge impact in roles within the NHS, Elmfield Health Group and tutoring at Newcastle Medical School. Since retiring in 2013, Dr Anand took a keen interest in complimentary therapies such as Yoga and made it his life’s mission to help reduce stress. He is now a regular radio DJ, on a community radio station, discussing ancient Indian history, Indian classical music and offering advice on health in relation to health and yoga in the modern context of science, bringing the north-east together.

WAJID AYAZ Created Acumen Accounting in 2018 as part of his aim to give something back to the community. By 2020 they had over 300 clients and have supported struggling businesses through COVID-19 with free services.

VEENA SONI Veena is an independent consultant working with a number of public and private organisations to help to improve the conditions and delivery of services to meet the everchanging needs of the BAME community.

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Finalists 2021 IMRAN KHALIQ Joined Gainford Group head office in 2008 as an ambitious 21-year-old, shortly after graduating from Northumbria University with a degree in Business Management. Since joining Gainford, Imran has broadened the company’s horizons and they now own multiple award-winning Hotels, Restaurants, Bars and Nightclubs taking Gainford’s employment to over 2500.

PONCHI KANTT-NEAZ Ponchi is Commercial Director at FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies (FDB), collaborating internationally on the clinical and commercial development of lifechanging biologics and vaccine innovation.

KAMRAN ALI After developing a passion and genuine interest in the field of health, Kamran made a career change and opened his own Hijama/Cupping clinic. He now runs 7 clinics around the UK and teaches other people how to become practitioners.

ABU SHAMA & KAMAL HUSSAIN Are co-founder of Avenue and Greene, an ambitious yet hugely rewarding product to launch to the North East marketplace and beyond. Avenue and Greene are breaking the mould in the soft drinks sector.

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Finalists 2021 DR MALASREE HOME Is the Race Equality and Accreditations Advisor at Newcastle University covering the project management of the University’s Race Equality Charter application, as well as linking the Race Equity and Inclusion team within People Services. Malasree was part of a Faculty EDI team, where she delivered on a successful Faculty Silver level Athena Swan award (A first within the University).

RANJANA BELL MBE / THE ROAD TO RECOVERY TRUST Has nearly 40 years of experience in the field of Equality and Diversity, working within the public, private and voluntary sectors. As Chair of the Road to Recovery Trust, Ranjana aims to transform the North East from a place with one of the highest rates of alcohol, drug and other addictions, to a region with one of the highest rates of abstinencebased recovery.

ANDREW MISRA Is one of the few BAME reporters at the ITV North East. He continuously seeks to make sure that diverse communities are represented in the channels coverage, as well as taking charge of extremely high profile stories such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral earlier this year.

FAREEHA USMAN Fareeha is a Census Purple Plaque holder, multi-award winner, philanthropist and an Entrepreneur for Good. A global voice of authority on gender equality, diversity, and inclusion she is the Founder of Being Woman Charity and the mind behind the food sharing app “Share Karo”, launched to provide an integrated system to distribute food and essentials for the people in need. She is the pioneer and first Asian woman in Northumberland to have successfully founded the charity focussed on empowering Ethnically Diverse communities and collaborated with different stakeholders in Northumberland and across the UK and worked towards promoting digital and social inclusion largely during COVID-19 crisis.

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Finalists 2021 MEHRBAN SADIQ / IETUK TEAM Founder of International Emergency Team United Kingdom (IETUK), a nonprofit voluntary organisation which delivers humanitarian services within Asian developing countries. Having worked with the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service for 14 years, Mehrban is passionate about ensuring that the fire service and the community can work together to keep people safe. His major achievements include the introduction of First Responder (Paramedic) Motorbike Ambulance Service and delivering projects on Mental Health and Wellbeing in Asian developing countries. He won CLG National Equality and Diversity Award and AFSA Man of the YEAR 2016 for his work with the international Punjab emergency services.

ZARIN SHARIF Zarin Sharif started his business as a laser engraver creating awards, memorials and gifts from his unit in Middlesborough, UK. Driven by creativity and a desire to experiment and create unique products, Zarin engraved on to wood, glass, metal, Perspex and more. Each product was largely unique and designed and produced for the consumer market. Personalisation is key to the business and its future and when customers started asking for colour, Zarin found the solution in the Mutoh XpertJet 661UF LED UV printer.

RAJ SEHGAL Sehgal is a director of Union Property Services, which has put together a £400m portfolio of commercial and retail properties in the North, London and Scotland. The Newcastle-based group is about to redevelop the site of a former nuclear bunker near Hexham into a Travelodge and Lidl superstore. The Sehgals also manage property portfolios on behalf of other investors. Sehgal oversaw the sale of his family’s clothes wholesaling business, Visage, for £175m in 2010. We see five separate Sehgal companies with £35.8m of net assets, but suspect this is only a fraction of their wealth. We put the Sehgal family at £167m.

SHAHI FOODS Established in 1984 by Khalid J Bhatti, Shahi is a family-owned business with over 30 years of experience in the Halal food business. They specialise in Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi Food and with this knowledge have taken Shahi from a Frozen Food manufacturing business to a catering business.

Shahi is one of the market leaders for catering firms within the North East due to being one of the first around.

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For more information, please v isit: www.abconnexions.org/ membership Email membership@abconnexions.org Or call 0844 24 777 05

#lnclusionByDefault #CelebrateDiversity Asian Business Connexions is a not for profit social enterprise registered in England as a CIC No 06949591

Finalists 2021 ARAN AND ARVAN HANDA Aran and Arvan Handa run Cairn Group, which owns 33 hotels in England and Scotland.

Premises include Harrogate’s Majestic and Durham’s Redworth Hall, which dates back to 1693. The Newcastle upon Tyne-based group has more than 30 bars and restaurants, as well as a chain of leisure clubs. Cairn was set up by the Handas’ father Roshan Lal Handa in 1963.

The family’s parent company, The Station Hotel (Newcastle), reported a slight rise in assets to £98.8m in 2018-19. A separate care home operation called Solehawk, with four premises, shows assets of £8.9m. We put the brothers at £143m.

MICHAEL LADHAR Ladhar is the managing director of Crown Care, which runs 15 care homes across County Durham, Tyneside and Yorkshire. For many years known as the Ladhar Group, the business was founded by the late Baldev Singh Ladhar – better known locally as ‘Dave’. The Indian-born entrepreneur came to Britain in 1966 when he was aged eight. He opened his first care home in 1989 and the Crown Group now employs around 3,000 people. The family’s assets also include hotels, bars, pubs and nightclubs. We see more than £40m of assets on the balance sheet of four separate Ladhar companies, and value the family at that level.

RAJ SINGH Raj Singh has spent all of his career helping those less fortunate working in local government for 35 years, reaching Assistant Director of Children’s Services, Head of Child Poverty and helping change the lives of thousands of children and their families, whilst simultaneously building a modest property portfolio, offering quality and affordable housing to students, professionals and families alike, for almost 45 years.

Now, after retiring he has gone on to become a Justice of the Peace, a Trustee of Hilton Dene and of the Citizens Advice Bureau and continues to dedicate his life to his beloved region and it’s community. Raj was also integral in the building of the beautiful new Sikh Temple in the Westend of Newcastle - his lifelong dream after his father helped set up the very first Gurudwara in the 70’s. This is a beacon of inclusiveness in our community, serving hot meals to over 25,000 people every year.

RANJEET KHANDA Middlesbrough-born Ranjeet is the owner of ground breaking online dispensary Linthorpe Pharmacy, whose bespoke prescription service is headquartered on the town’s Riverside Park.

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Finalists 2021 SANJEE RATNATUNGA Founder and Director of Ideas for Change consulting. Sanjee Ratnatunga is a qualified economist and economic development practitioner who has been working in the North East of England for the past twenty years.

She has an excellent track record in developing and managing successful business support services. Having worked extensively with a range of public, private and voluntary sector organisations, she has developed a strong understanding of the key economic challenges and opportunities facing the region.

DR SAEED AHMED Dr Saeed Ahmed is involved in a number of projects in the North East such as; British Islamic Medicine Associations awareness campaign on Blood and Organ Donation in the BAME community and is now a national programme supported and funded by NHSBT. Other programmes run in the North East include the life saver programme.

This is a global programme and run-in mosques to teach basic life support. This year 4000 people have been trained in basic life support on the 25/9/21 in the UK.

SHAB MEHDI Born in Pakistan, made in Middlesbrough. Born in Kashmir, Shab’s parents moved to England in the early 1950s and he was raised in North Ormesby.

He helped run family firm Boro Electronics before setting up his own store, MSV, on Middlesbrough’s Borough Road and later a megastore on Stockton’s Portrack Lane.

He then built a successful Middlesbrough-based sports apparel and merchandise company, MSV Sport, whose customers included football clubs Atletico Madrid, Stuttgart, Basel, Feyenoord, Tottenham, West Ham United, Bournemouth, Watford, Norwich City – and his beloved Boro.

SHWETA SHARMA Founder of Demyra’s Collections, started pursuing her passion for jewellery and clothing in early 2020 when the pandemic struck, bringing challenges to our everyday lives.

Demyra’s Collections have since grown an incredible audience and delivered positivity to people’s lives at a time when many were struggling to cope with uncertainty, fear and anxiety.

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Finalists 2021 CLLR MOHAMMED JAVED Cllr Mohammed Javed made history in May 2007, to be elected as Stockton Councils, first South Asian councillor. His day job involves supporting people with learning disabilities, a job which Cllr Javed says gives him great pleasure, as he thoroughly enjoys helping disadvantaged people and improving their quality of life.

Along with being on the board of several committees a governor at a local school, Cllr Javed is also committed and dedicated to charitable causes, helping raise funds to build a local mosque and also support those most vulnerable, locally, nationally and globally.

DR VASANT OSWAL After qualifying in Medicine from the BJ Medical College in Pune, India in 1960, Vasant Oswal moved to England in 1964 for further training. On arriving he immediately made impact by being awarded the DLO (RCS). After initially specialising in otology, Dr Oswal was appointed as a consultant in ENT in 1969 to the North Riding Infirmary, Middlesbrough. Among some of Dr Oswal’s many achievements includes his work of temporal bone dissections being exhibited in the Welcome Museum at the RCS, and later photographed, published in the Colour Atlas of Anatomy, produced

by Prof McMinn and Hutchings.

Always interested in innovation, he realised the benefits of laser surgery in the larynx in the late 70s and raised the funds to buy one for his department, in Cleveland, 1982. Dr Oswal went on to receive praise for his work in laser surgery developing bespoke instruments and also establishing an annual Cleveland International Laser course, which ran for 28 years, training hundreds of surgeons from all over the world. Dr Oswal took retirement in 1995, but continued practice, writing, teaching and editing as an Honorary Consultant.

MY DELHI My Delhi was opened in May 2019, in honour of the amazing culture of Delhi. The Newcastle based Indian eatery serves a variety of traditional street food, such as gol gappas, gunpowder chicken, afghani kebabs, street food burgers, and butter chicken curry.

The quirky restaurant is the brainchild of the Amin family who along with their passionate Delhi trained chefs, want to bring back original Indian cuisine to the UK. Foodies not only enjoy a sumptuous meal, but also get the advantage of learning about where in India each of the meals originate from and with some meals even presented with recommendations on how to eat them.

Since stepping into the food scene the Amin family have totally revived traditional Indian cuisine in Newcastle with a punch of spice and a kick of flavour.

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12th Anniversary Dinner & Awards Ceremony

Special Issue Sponsored by Asian Standard www.asiansatandard.co.uk | www.abconnexions.org

PRIMARY INSPIRATION

through

ENTERPRISE

BECOME A PIE'ONEER Each school has a PIE'oneer supporting them in activities. Could this be you?

Are you a local business person, a Member of Parliament, a Member of the Army or even all three?

Become a PIE'oneer and help support young people to realise their ambitions and raise their aspirations!

"I can clearly remember thinking that I might even consider becoming a t eacher such level of enjoyment that I gained from the whole process. " - Chirs, PIE 'oneer www.pieproject.org info@pieproject.org

Registered in England no. 10257850

Charity Registration no. 1669362