Asian Women of Achievement Awards 2011 Shortlist Announced
10th March 2011

The shortlist for the Asian Women of Achievement Awards 2011 was announced today, 10th March 2011. The AWA Awards have over their 12-year history recognised an exciting generation of Asian female groundbreakers such as comedy actress Nina Wadia; civil rights activist Shami Chakrabarti; and Ruby McGregor-Smith, the first Asian woman to lead a FTSE 250 business. Among this year's shortlisted nominees are cabinet minister Baroness Warsi; the first female Bangladeshi MP Rushanara Ali; immigrants' rights campaigner Dame Indira Patel DBE and debut author and science journalist Angela Saini whose book 'Geek Nation' was launched to much acclaim on 3rd March 2011.

Founded and chaired by author and entrepreneur Pinky Lilani OBE, and held in association with Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets, the awards champion the contribution made by Asian women across British business, public, cultural and political life. Judges this year include Zarin Patel, chief financial officer at the BBC; Phil Smith, CEO at Cisco UK and Ireland; and Helena Morrissey, CEO at Newton Investment Management.

Last year’s ceremony was attended by HRH Princess Michael of Kent; Home Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities The Rt Hon Theresa May MP; James Caan, entrepreneur and star of TV’s Dragon’s Den; and film director Gurinder Chadha (It’s a Wonderful Afterlife).

Asian Women of Achievement Awards 2011 Shortlist

The Arts & Culture Award
Anjali Bulley, managing editor, V&A Publishing
Kishwar Desai, author
Kanika Kapoor Chandok, singer/designer/model
Mina Bint Muhammad, writer, Urbantopia Books
Anusha Subramanyam, artistic director, Beeja
Shalina Tanesa, photographer

Business Woman of the Year
Sophia Ahmad, head of finance, BSkyB
Noor Ali, ethnic buyer, Asda
Sabrina Dar, head of marketing, London 2012, Cisco
Jyoti Deshpande, group CEO & managing director, Eros International
Sangeeta Desai, COO, Hit Entertainment

Entrepreneur of the Year
Kamal Basran, founder, The Authentic Food Company
Dr Rabinder Buttar, CEO & president, ClinTec International
Leyla Edwards, managing director, KK Fine Foods
Poonam Gupta, founder and managing director, PG Paper Company
Rita Sharma, founder, BestAtTravel

Media Professional of the Year
Yasmin Diamond CB, director of communications, Home Office
Samana Haq, Westminster news editor, ITV News
Ching-He Huang, cook/ author/ presenter
Angela Saini, science journalist and author
Ritula Shah, presenter, The World Tonight, BBC

Professional of the Year
Dr Aisha Gill, senior lecturer, criminology, Roehampton University
Su-Man Hsu, skincare and facialist, Su-Man Ltd
Madhur Jha, global economist, HSBC
Pavani Reddy, managing partner, Zaiwalla & Co
Professor Meena Upadhyaya, professor of medical genetics, Cardiff University
Nilufer von Bismarck, partner, Slaughter and May

The Public Sector Award
Rushanara Ali, MP Bethnal Green and Bow
Rekha Bhakoo CBE, headteacher, Newton Farm School
Khizra Dhindsa, police sergeant, West Midlands Police
Sherry Malik, chair, Essex Cares
Amerdeep Somal, commissioner, Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC)
Baroness Warsi, cabinet minister, Conservative Party

The Social & Humanitarian Award
Zeenat Islam, human rights research associate, Warwick Centre for Human Rights
Shezmin Madhani, founder/trustee, Nia Children’s Foundation
Dame Indira Patel DBE
Andleen Razzaq, senior advisor, Department for Communities and Local Government
Christine Yau, managing director, Y Ming

Young Achiever of the Year
Swati Bhargava, CEO & co-founder, Pouring Pounds
Shireen Irani, executive director, i-ProBono
Akanksha Hazari, MBA student, University of Cambridge
Priya Lakhani, managing director, Masala Masala
Meheen Rangoonwala-Dalamal, director, trustee and founder, MAITS
Divya Talwar, broadcast journalist, BBC Asian Network