North East community joins together to celebrate Asian achievements

The Asian Business Connexions Annual Awards Dinner is taking place on October 14. Bringing together community, business and public sector individuals from across the North of England, the dinner is an opportunity for the entire community to celebrate the achievements of its Asian members.

After last year’s online ceremony, 2021’s event will be bigger and brighter than ever and the number of nominations reflected it. Over one hundred nominations were received, highlighting some outstanding achievements across the board.

As hard as it was to whittle down the nominees into 30 finalists, the judges will now have to make the difficult decision to choose a winner for each category, including the Independent Award, Professional Award, Third Sector Award, Spice FM People’s Award and the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ammar Mirza, CBE, North East entrepreneur and co-founder of Asian Business Connexions said: “As a not-for-profit social enterprise that aims to connect, support and promote the Asian and wider communities, Asian Business Connexions has always sought to put inclusion at the top of the agenda.

“After the impact of COVID-19 on the North, and particularly on the Asian population both personally and commercially, this is more important than ever.

“This year’s nominees are of an amazing quality. They are all brilliant examples of the type of achievements that the ABC Awards are looking to celebrate. I don’t envy the judges in having to pick a winner!”

Now in its twelfth year, the Asian Business Connexions Annual Awards Dinner has become one of the highlights of the North East business calendar. Sponsorship for the event is headlined by the Great Annual Savings Group; founded in 2012 to provide business cost savings to companies in the North East, GAS has since grown to become a nationally renowned provider and one of the fastest growing companies in the UK.

Other supporters include the Opus Motor Group, Newcastle University, Brewin Dolphin, the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, SME Centre of Excellence and the Asian Standard newspaper. Among the dignitaries attending the event this year will be Sir John Hall; Jamie Driscoll, Mayor of the North of Tyne Combined Authority; Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Councillor Habib Rahman, High Sheriff Farooq Hakim; and MP for Newcastle, Chi Onwurah alongside a strong contingent from across the Armed Forces.

Michael Rankin, divisional director at Brewin Dolphin, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Asian Business Connexions Awards 2021.

“The ABC plays an important role in promoting the North East’s Asian entrepreneurial talent to a national and international audience, and shines a light on the diverse communities and thriving businesses that we have in the region. We wish them success with this year’s awards.”

Colin Bell, business and sector growth director at the North East Local Enterprise Partnership added: “The North East is home to many incredible people and businesses, all making a significant difference to the social and economic wellbeing of the region.

“We’re proud to support the ABC Awards which celebrates excellence within our thriving Asian community, and recognises the significant contribution its leaders make across the private, public and third sectors.”

The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday at the Grand Hotel, Newcastle where the winners for each category will be announced. To find out more about ABC and the Awards night visit: Asian Business Connexions: Newcastle Upon Tyne