A distinguished Leicester resident and global diplomat has been named ‘Man of the Year 2025’ by the prestigious Who is Who International Awards – the only person from the UK to receive the honour.
His Excellency Ambassador Ravendrasinh Thakor, who serves as an Ambassador to the United Nations for Peace and Sustainable Ongoing Solutions at its Vienna headquarters, was honoured for his outstanding contributions to global diplomacy and multicultural business. The award was presented at a gala ceremony held on June 4 at the Hilton Hotel in Nicosia, Cyprus.
Picture: Supplied
It is the highest accolade presented by the organisation, which is known for recognising global change makers and philanthropic leaders.
Ambassador Thakor, who was born and raised in Leicester and is of Jhalawar Royal Dynasty descent, described the honour, as both humbling and unexpected.
“I’m very proud, honoured, and humbled that this has come upon me in this particular way, without any type of planning or thought process from myself,” he told Pukaar News.
While he has declined several awards in the past, Ambassador Thakor accepted this one at the request of close friend Dame Olga, a renowned Russian ballet figure and arts curator, who nominated him out of admiration and respect.
“The work that you do in terms of humanitarian aid and public service—you do and you forget. You don’t really take any kind of recognition for it, that’s just the way I am. But one thing my guru told me when I was young was: if someone offers you something with love and respect, you must never reject them or break their heart. That’s why I accepted,” he said.
Educated at Richmond House Grammar, Stoneygate, Manor High, and Beauchamp College, Thakor had aspirations from an early age to become a successful businessman and give back to society. He credits much of his worldview to early teachings and the influence of motivational speaker Tony Robbins, who told him, “Associate with the people whom you want to become.”
Picture credit: Pukaar News
His journey into real estate began in the late 2000s and quickly expanded internationally. A chance meeting in 2007 led him to help broker a $6 billion deal between Damac Real Estate and the Indian government for township development—an early indicator of the scale at which he would operate.
He also served two terms as a local councillor for the Oadby and Wigston Borough Council under the Conservative Party, working alongside former MP Edward Garnier (now Lord Garnier).
In 2019, Thakor’s diplomatic journey took a major turn when he was contacted by a senior official from the UN Economic and Social Council. Initially invited to serve as a Fellow, he was later appointed as an Ambassador and now heads global financial initiatives aimed at peace-building and sustainable development.
“I began to understand the mission of the UN—to sit above governments and help steer them towards diplomacy, development, and peace,” he explained.
Today, he is among a rare group of just over 5,000 elected UN Ambassadors worldwide—compared to roughly 180,000 national MPs globally.
In his acceptance speech in Cyprus, Ambassador Thakor highlighted the legacy of his royal ancestors, who were instrumental in aiding the Mewar Dynasty in resisting Mughal rule in India. He sees this heritage as central to his modern mission of service and integrity.
“This accolade is not only a personal milestone but a reminder of the importance of fostering dialogue, sustainable development, and peaceful solutions in our interconnected world,” he said.
He also emphasised his deep love for Leicester, calling it “a harmonious city where all people—regardless of caste, creed, or culture—live with unity and peace.”
Despite the global recognition, Thakor remains grounded.
“My biggest challenge has always been myself—pushing my ambitions to do the best in every field I enter. My goal remains to serve this world through peace, diplomacy, and support for those in need.”
