Lord Jitesh Gadhia, chairman of the British Asian Trust, bagged the top honour at GG2 Leadership Awards
Kamila Hawthorne, the chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Council, was honoured with the GG2 Woman of the Year Award at the annual GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards, held at the Park Plaza Hotel on Tuesday, 5 March.
Hawthorne has been a practitioner and a mentor to young GPs for almost 35 years, and has led pioneering research projects focusing on health inequalities, diabetes and heart disease. She has been recognised twice as GP of the Year for her work with minority ethnic communities.
Professor Kiran Patel, Group Chief Medical Officer at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, was named the GG2 Man of the Year Award.
Apart from being a sought-after cardiologist and consultant, Patel also possesses a wealth of experience in managerial roles. He has done a lot of work in addressing health inequalities, and notably, in 2020, he prescribed the very first COVID-19 vaccine.
Kiran Patel with the GG2 Man of the Year Award
The GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards marked its 25th anniversary, celebrating the achievements of Britain’s ethnic minorities. The award ceremony was hosted by the Asian Media Group, the publisher of Garavi Gujarat and Eastern Eye news weeklies, as well as Asian Trader and Pharmacy Business magazines.
Prime minister Rishi Sunak, who graced the occasion as the chief guest, said: “There is so much for us to celebrate. I’m proud of our diversity as a nation.”
During the event, the GG2 Power List was also unveiled, revealing the country’s 101 most influential and powerful South Asians in Britain, with Sunak securing the top spot for the third consecutive year.
“I love the GG2 awards – and what an honour it is to be at the top of this phenomenal list,” the prime minster said.
A total of 24 awards were presented at the event, with Lord Jitesh Gadhia, chairman of the British Asian Trust, bagging the top honour. He was honoured with the GG2 Hammer Award in acknowledgment of his dedicated three decades of public and community service.
Lord Gadhia has led projects in South Asia for King Charles's charitable foundation and has served as a confidant to prime ministers, cabinet ministers, and some of the most senior people in the country.
Lord Jitesh Gadhia with the GG2 Hammer Award at the annual GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards
The GG2 Ram Solanki Beacon Award in honour of the late founder and editor-in-chief of the Asian Media Group was presented to Lord Navnit Dholakia for his exceptional contribution to Britain and ethnic communities. With nearly three decades in the Upper House, Lord Navnit Dholakia has been one of the most active peers, selflessly working for his community and those most in need by participating in all areas of policy.
Jaswant Kaur Narwal, a chief prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), was recognised with the GG2 Inspire Award for keeping diversity and inclusion on the agenda and making a positive impact through her work.
Tharshiny Pankaj, CEO and Academic Registrar of Regent College, London was declared the winner of the GG2 CEO of the Year Award, while Sabah Choudhry of Sky News took home the GG2 Young Journalist of the Year Award.
AMG group managing editor, Kalpesh Solanki, said: “These awards are a showcase of the diverse talent in modern Britain and how with hard work and sincere endeavour we can achieve great success.”
“Diversity is critical as it leads to better outcomes. It helps us learn about others and helps us inform and shape our outlook. But more importantly diversity is essential in creating a just and equitable society,” he added.
The winners in one frame
Here are winners of the GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards:
GG2 ED&I Initiative Award
WINNER: Mondelez
GG2 Advertising Agency of the Year
WINNER: OMG Unite
GG2 Marketing Campaign of the Year
WINNER: Media Reach
GG2 Diversity Champion of the Year
WINNER: Emma Locke, Change & Communications Lead, Europe – PEAK, Perfetti Van Melle UK
GG2 Diverse Employer of the Year
WINNER: Bestway
GG2 ED&I Excellence in Law
WINNER: DWF
GG2 Police Force of the Year
WINNER: Thames Valley Police
GG2 NHS Trust of the Year
WINNER: North West London University Healthcare Trust
GG2 Bank of the Year
WINNER: State Bank of India
GG2 Ram Solanki Beacon Award
WINNER: The Rt Hon. the Lord Dholakia OBE DL
GG2 Spirit in the Community Award supported by Royal Navy
WINNERS: Sub Postmasters
Seema Misra
Vijay Parekh
Vipin Patel
Hasmukh Shingadia
GG2 Young Journalist of the Year supported by Daily Mail
WINNER: Sabah Choudhry, Sky News correspondent, Sky News
GG2 Business in the Community Award
WINNER: Vraj, Kamal and Sunil Pankhania, Westcombe Group
GG2 Inspire Award supported by Bestway
WINNNER Jaswant Kaur Narwal, Chief Crown Prosecutor, Crown Prosecution Service
GG2 Achievement Through Adversity Award
WINNER: Nureen Glaves, CEO & Founder, Feed Me Good
GG2 Young Achiever Award supported by the Royal Air Force
WINNER: Nahjae Nunes, Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC)
GG2 Social Entrepreneur of the Year
WINNER: Koolesh Shah, Founder, Koolesh Shah Foundation
GG2 Outstanding Achievement in Medicine Award supported by RandalSun Capital
WINNER: Dr Hadi Manji MA MD FRCP, Consultant Neurologist and Associate Professor, University College London
GG2 CEO of the Year
WINNER: Tharshiny Pankaj, Co-founder and CEO of Regent Group
GG2 Blossom Award supported by RHS
WINNER: Bixley Fields Allotments
GG2 Embrace Award supported by National Trust
WINNER: Jaffer Kapasi OBE, Managing Director & Consul General of the Republic of Uganda
J.A.Kapasi & Co. Ltd
GG2 Woman of the Year supported by Westcombe Group
WINNER: Professor Kamila Hawthorne MBE, Chair, Royal College of General Practitioners
GG2 Man of the Year supported by The Fairview Hotel Collection
WINNER: Professor Kiran Patel, Group Chief Medical Officer, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
GG2 Hammer Award in association with pladis
WINNER: Lord Jitesh Gadhia
