Asian Women of Achievement Awards 2012: Nominations Open
26th January 2012

Nominations are now open for the Asian Women of Achievement (AWA) Awards 2012. This year, organisers have introduced two new categories: 'Asian Woman of Achievement in Sport' and 'Asian Women of Achievement Community Award' to help reach a broader spectrum of Britain’s most inspirational Asian women making an impact in the entrepreneurial, business, public, cultural, humanitarian and political sectors. Former AWA winners include EastEnders actress Nina Wadia, BBC London anchor Riz Lateef, CEO of MITIE Group Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE and world-leading academic Professor Xiangqian Jang.

The awards, founded and chaired by India-born author and entrepreneur Pinky Lilani OBE in 1999, are supported by award patrons Cherie Blair and HRH Princess Badiya bint El Hassan and leaders from UK government, business and the media. Last year’s event was attended by the Home Secretary Theresa May, entrepreneur James Caan and wife of deputy Prime Minister, Miriam González-Durántez. Pinky Lilani said: “The Asian Women of Achievement Awards were created to identify and reward the extraordinary Asian women who play a crucial role in enriching every corner of our society.

“Asian women living in Britain today must feel empowered to believe that they too can make an impact on multicultural life. These awards truly highlight the incredible achievements made by the female pioneers who are shaping and evolving our society for the better. I am so thrilled that the awards are expanding in new directions this year. With the Olympics taking place in London, it's really exciting to introduce a Sports category."

Chairman of the AWA judging panel is Sir Nicholas Young, chief executive, British Red Cross and the 2012 Judges include: India Gary Martin, managing director, investment banking technology and operations, J.P. Morgan; Anita Harper, EMEA co-head diversity and inclusion, Credit Suisse; David Harrison, vice president, Visa Commercial, Visa Europe; Peter Ibbetson, chairman, small business, RBS; Andy Leach, managing director, Sodexo; Lady Catherine Manning; Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE, CEO, MITIE Group; Helena Morrissey CBE, CEO, Newton Investment Management; Margareta Pagano, columnist, The Independent and The Independent on Sunday; Ruby Parmar, partner, PwC; Charles Redfield, chief merchandising officer, Asda; Matthew Rock, communications director, Caspian Media; Andrew White, dean of executive education, SaïdBusinessSchool; Julia Weston, fellowship manager, Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and Keith Williams, CEO, British Airways.

Award Categories

The full list of award categories is as follows:

• Asian Woman of Achievement - Young Achiever
• Asian Woman of Achievement in Social and Humanitarian
• Asian Woman of Achievement in Public Service
• Asian Woman of Achievement in the Professions
• Asian Woman of Achievement in the Media
• Asian Woman of Achievement - Entrepreneur
• Asian Woman of Achievement in Business
• Asian Woman of Achievement in Arts & Culture
• Asian Woman of Achievement in Sport
• Asian Women of Achievement - Community Award
• The RBS Chairman's Award

Awards Rules

A woman is eligible to enter the Asian Women of Achievement Awards if;

• she is resident in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man and has been so for a period of 12 months before the date of application.
• If she was born on the continent of Asia; or if she is born into an ethnic group or had at least two grandparents born into an ethnic group or groups, of Asian origin other than Caucasian.
• Please note all nominees must be older than 14 on December 31, 2011.

The closing date for entries is 2 March 2012, with the awards taking place on 16th May 2012 at the London Hilton Park Lane.

For information on how to enter the awards visit :awa.realbusiness.co.uk/

AWA Winners

Click here to read about Pinky Lilani, founder of the AWA Awards.
Click here for the AWA Awards 2011 party.
Click here for the AWA Awards 2011 winners.
Click here for the AWA Awards 2011 shortlist.
Click here for the Global Empowerment Award 2010 presented at AWA.
Click here for the AWA Awards 2010 winners.
Click here for the AWA Awards 2010 shortlist.
Click here for the Global Empowerment Award 2009 presented at AWA.
Click here for the AWA Awards 2009 winners.
Click here for the AWA Awards 2009 shortlist.
Click here for the AWA Awards 2009 picture gallery.
Click here for the AWA Awards 2008 winners.
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Click here for the AWA Awards 2001 winners.
Click here for the AWA Awards 2001 shortlist.

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