Business leaders from around the North have made it onto the first Northern Asian Powerlist.
The list of 101 influential people from the North’s Asian communities includes figures from the worlds of business, politics and public services.
Among those featured are Nagma Ebanks-Beni, commercial director at Durham’s Prima Cheese, Nisha Katona, founder of Mowgli Street Food, and Simon Arora, chief executive of the B&M Group.
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The list was the brainchild of Sharon Jandu, who developed the idea following her experience as an Asian business woman.
She said: “This is about recognition for successful British Asians in business who are based in the North from their peers and from leaders from all walks of life.
“There are some fantastic stories here in this Powerlist and I hope that everybody will take a close look at the stories of grit, of achievement and pushing the boundaries. Against the backdrop of global uncertainty, it is these stories that bring us back to what matters and keeps us optimistic.
“We want these brilliant people to be role models for people of all backgrounds to strive, to achieve, to be their best.”
The list was chosen by a panel that included Henri Murison, director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, Simone Roche of Northern Power Women and Professor Monder Ram, Director, Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship at Aston University.
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Winners in 11 categories - political leadership, driving the digital economy, entrepreneurial zeal, inspiring others, contributing to our environment, being a social change maker, a cultural icon, a leading woman and an emerging leader – will be announced today.
Roger Marsh, chair of the NP11 group of Northern LEPs, said: “I am delighted and honoured to support the Northern Asian Powerlist 2020. In the category I judged I was blown away by both the quality and quantity of entries.
“The nominations and winners we chose are all exceptional business leaders, driving forward innovation, creating successful and growing businesses whilst retaining a strong focus on giving back to their communities.”
The Northern Asian Powerlist has been sponsored by Squire Patton Boggs, Leeds Beckett University, NatWest, Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and Manchester-India Partnership with support from many other organisations and individuals.