The chandeliers sparkled, sequins shimmered, velvet tuxedos brushed past silk saris, and the air hummed with anticipation, champagne glasses clinking in perfect rhythm with the soft murmur of conversation. London’s Grosvenor House was alive with influence, achievement, and spectacle. This was the 23rd Asian Achievers Awards, the night when Britain’s South Asian community claimed the spotlight to celebrate brilliance, resilience, and ambition.
At the heart of it all were the CEO’s of AAA, Pratik Dattani and Smita Patel, the visionary duo who have transformed the Awards into the UK’s premier celebration of South Asian achievement.
Pratik Dattani is an economist, strategist, and founder of the think tank Bridge India, as well as Managing Director of EPG Economic and Strategy Consulting. A Warwick University alumnus and respected media commentator, he has advised governments and global corporates, published research on behavioural economics and social impact, and lectured at London. Alongside him, Smita Dattani brings entrepreneurial vision and organisational expertise, ensuring the Awards continue to set the standard for recognising British Asian talent across business, culture, and society.
The winners of the night read like a roll call of modern trailblazers. Neerja Birla, philanthropist and founder of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, was named Woman of the Year, celebrated for reshaping education and mental health initiatives in India and beyond. On the sports stage, Sunny Gill Singh became Sports Personality of the Year, the first British South Asian referee in Premier League history, his smile radiating pride and a sense of history in the making. The Solanki family, architects of the Taj Foods empire, claimed Entrepreneurs of the Year, while Prof Selva Pankaj, Co-founder and CEO of Regent Global, took home Business Person of the Year.
Some moments felt like tributes decades in the making. Rishi Rich, pioneer of Asian-R&B fusion, received a special award for his lasting contribution to music. Ravi Sharma, a broadcasting legend whose voice has shaped British Asian radio for 50 years, was honoured for his unparalleled impact on the airwaves. Retail mogul Simon Arora, fresh from his high-profile B&M Stores exit, accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award with quiet gravitas, a reminder of the scale of his influence.
Cultural spectacle intertwined with glamour throughout the evening. Raghav lit up the stage with hits that had the audience on its feet, Eshaan Akbar had them in stitches, and acrobat Klodi Dabkiewicz left jaws on the floor with feats of fearless precision. The red carpet was curated by Nileeka Bose, choreographer for Marvel’s Eternals, while the ceremony itself was hosted with effortless charisma by Nitin Ganatra OBE and Sky News presenter Anila Dhami.
The Awards also offered a reminder that recognition carries weight beyond applause. Pratik Dattani highlighted a growing trend, noting that some of Britain’s brightest entrepreneurs are increasingly relocating to Dubai, signalling a challenge to “Brand Britain.” It was a rare note of urgency in an evening of celebration, a reminder that the AAA is not only a stage for success but a platform reflecting the diaspora’s ongoing relationship with the nation.
The room was a microcosm of influence. With over £30 billion in business value present, it was a summit of power, culture, and ambition. Political leaders joined in the applause. Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the honourees as “British Asian change-makers,” while Kemi Badenoch and Sir Ed Davey recognized the community’s contributions across business, arts, science, and public service.
Yet amid the glamour, laughter, and applause, there was a collective acknowledgment. These awards are more than a night of recognition, they are a mirror of what the South Asian community brings to Britain. Vision, resilience, innovation, and leadership were on full display, woven into every speech, every performance, and every embrace of the stage.
As the night drew to a close, the chandeliers still gleamed, but it was the brilliance of the honourees that lingered. The Asian Achievers Awards are not just a celebration, they are a statement. Stylish, powerful, and unafraid to take up space, the event cements the South Asian community as a defining force in modern Britain. For over two decades, the Awards have honoured those who shape the nation while inspiring the next generation of innovators, artists, leaders, and changemakers.
If this night proved anything, it is that British Asians are not only part of the story, they are writing its most dazzling chapters.
