(9 February 2010)

Leading City lawyer Sunil Gadhia, head of the India practice at International law firm Stephenson Harwood, has been named the new chairman of the influential Asian Business Association (ABA). He takes over from former Numerica chief executive and serial entrepreneur Tony Sarin who led the ABA for six years. In his role as chairman, Sunil will represent and promote Asian businesses in London, oversee committee work and host a number of events and receptions. The ABA was setup in 1995 by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in recognition of the huge contribution the Asian economy makes to London, which now accounts for approximately £60bn, 13% of annual turnover in the capital.

Sunil Gadhia said: "The ABA is the voice of Asian Business in London. In my role as Chair I look forward to supporting the development of Asian businesses in London and expanding their influence. Businesses across the capital have found economic conditions very difficult over the last two years but Asian businesses have helped drive the recovery through their business acumen and innovation."

Sunil Gadhia was recently the Chief Executive of leading International law firm Stephenson Harwood stepping down in September 2009 to return to a full-time role as a litigation partner and head of the firm's India practice. He was the first ever CEO of Asian origin of a City law firm and at 38, he was also one of the youngest. In recognition of the firm's success and Sunil's tenure as CEO, Stephenson Harwood was named 'Law Firm of the Year' at The British Legal Awards in December 2009.

Sunil began his career as a trainee lawyer at Stephenson Harwood in 1988, becoming a partner in 1997, just seven years after qualifying as a solicitor. He was born to Indian parents in 1965, Kericho, Kenya, before moving to Leicester with his family at the age of five. He was educated at John Ellis Community School in Leicester and then went on to read Law at the University of Nottingham graduating in 1987 and taking his Solicitor's Finals at Lancaster Gate. Sunil is married with two children. His hobbies are playing football and the piano.

About the Asian Business Association

The ABA was setup in 1995 by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in recognition of the huge contribution the Asian economy makes to London, which now accounts for approximately £60bn every single year, or thirteen per cent of annual turnover in the capital. London's 39,000 Asian owned businesses provide 300,000 jobs and much of the city's new ideas and innovation - with their contribution set to grow while census figures show that Asian people are more likely to set up their own business than any other ethnic group.