Business leaders and entrepreneurs from across the world gathered at London’s House of Parliament for the UK Asian Business Council’s annual Christmas event, with awards given to celebrate some of the community’s rising stars.
A total of ten awards were presented at the inaugural event, on Monday, December 2nd, including three Chairman’s Awards.
One of the winners was Aditi Chourey Sakalle, who was named ‘Rising Cake Artist of the Year.’
Picture credit: Pukaar News
Speaking to Pukaar, she said: “I’m delighted that I’ve managed to take this award, which is a great opportunity for me. By getting this award I can expand my business and I’m sure it will result in more orders.
“The event was also a a good networking opportunity. I managed to talk to different people and met so many inspiring business women and entrepreneurs.”
Another winner was Shreyansh Jain, of the Admissions Overseas Consulting Group, who was recognised as the ‘Rising Ethical Overseas Education Service Provider.’
His consultancy firm has helped more than 1500 students to realise their dreams to study abroad from its inception.
“It’s always great when you get the recognition for your work. I’m very happy,” he said after getting his award.
Picture credit: Pukaar News
The event welcomed diplomats, Ambassadors, and High Commissioners from South America, Europe, Central Asia, and Asia, along with MPs and elected representatives from across the UK, including Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland.
Notable attendees included representatives from over 14 embassies and high commissions, former Chief Ministers, ex-MEPs, former England cricketers, and delegates from the British Army, London Assembly, Commonwealth Secretariat, and 10 Downing Street. Business leaders from various industries and international delegates from India, Poland, Turkey, and the UAE added to the evening’s significance.
Picture credit: Pukaar News
Andrew Grocock CEO of The Together UK Foundation and Chief of Staff of Baroness Arlene Foster, First Minister of Northern Ireland was one of those who enjoyed the event, and praised its success.
“Todays’s event is so important because Together UK is all about connecting people, it’s about keeping the United Kingdom together, it’s about strengthening our ties through relationships and trade with countries, particularly from the Commonwealth,” he said.
“India is the future. It has now surpassed the UK with regard to its position in the world GDP etc. We have a lot of relationships with Indian companies, we speak the same language, we have the same moral compass we’re family orientated so I think India is our natural partner in the world and it’s very important that we should strengthen that through ties and events like this.
Picture credit: Pukaar News
“It’s a fantastic event Taha of the Asian Business Council has done a fantastic job. I’m looking forward to doing this on an annual basis. I’ve met some wonderful people here, so it’s been 100 per cent success,” he added.
Taha Coburn-Kutay set up the UK Asian Business Forum in 2014.
However, it’s the first time the organisation has held its inaugural ‘Rising Bharat Awards.’
“These are very special awards – recognising people who are doing very very hard work for the community, for their friends and for themselves,” he said.
“The UK Asian Business Council, is all about how we can empower people – how we can empower the person who cannot be empowered. The whole idea is about how you connect people, and with those connections how are you able to help them achieve what they want.
“When I set up the council, it was a leap of faith but I knew that without taking a risk, you don’t reap the rewards,” he added.
Picture credit: Pukaar News
“I realised that I had the knack for doing networking, meeting people and convincing them to become a part of the organisation. We have given results not only to businesses – small and large, but even to Governments, and that is why the Governments have asked us to lobby for them. We must be doing something right and I am proud of what we have achieved over the past ten years.”
The full list of winners can be found below:
- Sudeep Sakalle – UKABC Chairman’s Superman
- Junaid Ahmed – UKABC Chairman’s Superman
- Erin Coburn-Kutay – UKABC Chairman’s Superwoman
- Aditi Chourey Sakalle – Rising Cake Artist of the Year
- Kamal Prabhakar, Transact World Group – Rising Payment Service Provider
- Ms. Smita Patil, SSPL Group – Rising Real Estate Group of Maharashtra, India
- Shreyansh Jain, Admissions Overseas Consulting Group – Rising Ethical Overseas Education Service Provider
- Sagar Shah, Shobha’s Rasoi – Rising Indian Restaurant in Harrow
- Mamit Agarwal, Furnishings UK Ltd – Rising Entrepreneur of the Year 2024
- Vahid Jain, Green Bell Packaging – Rising Packaging Service Provider
