Winners of the Asian Business Awards 2004, were announced at a special ceremony held at the London Hilton, Park Lane on Tuesday 13th April. Journalist Martin Bashir hosted the event which was attended by HRH Prince Michael of Kent. This year's winners include three food manufacturers: Sir Gulam Noon, Charan Gill and Shehzad Husain. Stylist to the celebrities, Kal Kaur Rai snapped up the young achiever award and Jojar Dhinsa was awarded best newcomer. The 'Business of the Year' went to nursing care homes specialist Ramesh Sachdev.

The evening's performances included a recital by hot classical sensation Myleene Klass, who has just been nominated for a Classical Brit. All eyes were on Myleene whilst she played the piano in a stunning Indian-style outfit that dripped with crystals. But it was India's answer to Shirley Bassey who stole the show. The Bollywood diva Usha Uthup flew in to perform exclusively at the event. Usha received rapturous applause as she took to the stage, where her distinctive voice captivated the audience.

DJ and producer Richi Rich, who has worked with Britney Spears and Craig David, ensured that all guests were up on the dance floor at the after-show party where he played tracks, including his own chart topping hits, until the early hours of the morning.

British sports personalities, artists from the music industry, designers, Bollywood stars and prominent businessmen attended the star-studded event. Those present included: Jimmy Choo, Kim Vithana, Lisa Aziz, Raj Persuad, Juliette Foster, Shuilie Gosh, Kabir Bedi, Sir Gulam Noon, Lord and Lady Dholakia, Lord and Lady Swraj Paul, Baroness Flather, Lord Taylor of Warwick, Rt Hon Parmjit Dhandha, Rt Hon Steve Norris and Rt Hon Michael Ancram

The annual Asian Business Awards honour the contribution and significant achievements of Asian entrepreneurs in Britain, and acknowledge the important role of Asians in shaping British society today.

ASIAN BUSINESS AWARDS 2004 WINNERS

Entrepreneur of the Year
Charan Gill MBE - Leisure (Glasgow)

Charan Gill MBE is Managing Director of Glasgow-based Harlequin Leisure Group. The pubs-to-restaurants and frozen foods group was founded in 1987 and is owned by Gill and his family. He faced tough challenges as a fitter in a shipyard, adding to his salary by working as a waiter in his friend's 'Ashoka West End' restaurant. In 2002 Gill and his business partner launched 'Ashoka Shak' to provide quality Indian cuisine to retail parks and cinemas. There are now 17 restaurants in the Group.

The Harlequin Leisure Group has also incorporated Harlequin Properties and Developments, concentrating on luxury conversion and new build properties across Scotland.

(* extract from 'Britain's Richest Asians', published on 16 April 2004 by Eastern Eye)

Newcomer of the Year
Jojar Dhinsa -Finance (Reading)

Young Achiever of the Year
Kal Kaur Rai - Fashion (London)

The Community Award
Sir Gulam - Noon Food Manufacturing (London)

Sir Gulam Noon MBE is Chairman of Noon Products, part of WT Food Group. The company has over 1100 employees in the Southall production base and an annual turnover of £79 million. A new factory was opened in June 2003 and the production capacity has now doubled to two million ready meals per week.

Noon's career began early in Mumbai following the death of this father with the family owned, Royal sweets. However, he soon grew restless and in 1971 Noon settled in the UK where he set-up and grew the Royal Sweets business from 2 to 20 shops. Noon products started trading in 1989 and he introduced chilled and frozen Indian food through Bird's Eye Walls. In 1999, Noon Products was acquired by WT Foods Groups and in 2001 a management buy out resulted in the shares being bought back from the market. Since then, Noon has maintained his role as Chairman and Managing Director of Noon Products and he also sits as an executive director of WT Foods parent company.

(* extract from 'Britain's Richest Asians', published on 16 April 2004 by Eastern Eye)

The DTI Innovation Award
Qibla Cola -Dist/Wholesale (London)

UK Trade & Industry Award
Shehzad Husain - Food Manufacturing (Cardiff)

Shehzad Foods is a small but growing company. Managing Director Shehzad Husain's career history and experience includes working for Marks and Spencer on a consultancy basis for 17 years, advising on, and developing, its Indian range of ready meals. She has also written a number of books on Indian cuisine. Since signing up to Passport (UK Trade and Investment export programme), the company has made sales to the US, Hong Kong and even Pakistan. The sauces are made in Wales to Shehzad's recipes and are stocked by Harvey Nichols, Harrods and other similar stores in the UK.

Business of the Year
Ramesh Sachdev - Healthcare (Harrow)

The Sachdev family have seen the continued growth and success of Lifestyle Care plc, a nursing home operator which reported a turnover over £30 million last year. In addition to a new 80 bed care centre opened in Luton this January, developments are planned in six further areas bringing the Lifestyle portfolio to over 2000 beds. In addition to this growing business, Ramesh and Pratibha, through the Sachdev charitable foundation have donated generously to several charities in the UK and in Indian such as the construction of 50 houses after the earthquake in Kutch, a cancer research hospital in Baroda (Gujarat) and the Mount Vernon Cancer Appeal.

(* extract from 'Britain's Richest Asians', published on 16 April 2004 by Eastern Eye)