ABC Awards 2025 Winners 

Dr. Meenakshi Choudhary is a consultant gynaecologist and senior specialist in reproductive medicine at Newcastle Fertility Centre. A clinical leader and researcher, she heads pioneering egg and mitochondrial donor programmes, advancing ethical fertility care and reproductive science. She is widely recognised for her patient-centred approach and national leadership in women’s health.

Dhillon’s Desserts was founded by its owner at just sixteen, growing from a teenage dream into a thriving multi-location dessert business. Known for creativity, resilience, and innovation, the brand blends quality, affordability, and social media savvy, while empowering others—including mentoring family members to launch their own ventures.

Rishi Kohli is Senior Legal Services Manager at Norton Rose Fulbright, leading a team of 50 and advising on corporate, banking, and dispute matters. He champions social mobility, inclusion, and talent development in the North-East, mentoring graduates and highlighting local opportunities, while serving on educational boards and raising the region’s professional profile.

Group Chairman, Malhotra Group PLC & Honorary Consul of India

Meenu Malhotra DL is the Group Chairman of Malhotra Group PLC, a leading North East-based conglomerate employing over 1,200 people across care, leisure, and property. Born in Ludhiana, Punjab, Meenu came to the UK at 18 and built his success from humble beginnings, becoming one of the region’s most respected business leaders and philanthropists.

As the newly appointed Honorary Consul of India, Meenu plays a vital role in strengthening UK–India relations — promoting trade, culture, education, and tourism between the two nations. Based at India House in Newcastle, England’s first Honorary Consulate to India, he continues to champion growth, opportunity, and collaboration while inspiring future generations of entrepreneurs.

Raza Sadiq is redefining inclusion through innovation. As founder of CultivIQ, he designs practical frameworks that make cultural safety and lawful inclusion achievable across sectors. His Cultural Intelligence Operating System and CultivCODE are helping organisations—from small businesses like Firestone Artisan to NHS services—embed cultural awareness, strengthen community trust, and align compassion with compliance. Raza’s quiet leadership is transforming inclusion from a concept into a measurable, real-world system—building a North East that is fairer, safer, and more connected for all.

FAR Training – Inclusion by Default Award Winner

At FAR Training, inclusion isn’t an add-on—it’s the foundation. As a specialist accountancy apprenticeship provider, they champion social mobility and accessibility, creating real opportunities for young people, women returning to work, and individuals from minority backgrounds.

Through flexible, learner-led training and partnerships with SMEs across North Yorkshire, FAR ensures that no one is left behind—offering recorded sessions, one-to-one support, and even free training for those in need. With over half of their learners female and the majority aged 16–21, they’re redefining what inclusive education looks like in practice.

FAR Training truly lives its values of inclusivity, collaboration, and empowerment—proving that professional success should be within everyone’s reach.

Ola has hugely improved engagement for grassroots community groups by; providing safe spaces for group leaders and members to engage effectively and promote collaboration through effective cohesion.

Julie Nicholson, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Digital Voice, is leading the charge for digital inclusion in the North East — the UK’s most digitally excluded region. Through innovative programmes like DigitalMe and inTouch, Julie empowers vulnerable and marginalised communities to gain digital confidence, share their stories, and access vital services.

From helping asylum seekers and women re-entering education to supporting patients with the NHS app, Julie’s work meets people where they are — with empathy, creativity, and purpose. After 18 years at the helm, her passion remains unwavering, transforming digital exclusion into digital empowerment across the region.

Founded in 2018, Veterans in Crisis Sunderland (ViCS) is a community interest company built on the principle of “veterans helping veterans.” Through counselling, social groups, addiction recovery, family support, and practical aid such as emergency accommodation and free furniture, ViCS has transformed lives and ensured no veteran in Sunderland sleeps rough.

Their grassroots approach and network of Armed Forces Champions across local services mean veterans receive rapid, compassionate support whenever needed. ViCS stands as a model of community-led inclusion—restoring dignity, hope, and belonging to those who have served.

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Newcastle Mela is a vibrant, family-friendly celebration of South Asian culture, held each August Bank Holiday in Exhibition Park. Showcasing music, dance, art, and food from across Pakistani, Bengali, Indian and other cultures, it brings communities together in one of the North East’s longest-running and most inclusive cultural events.

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Raul Kohli is an award-winning comedian from Newcastle upon Tyne whose sharp, politically charged comedy explores culture, class, and identity. A NATYS winner and Edinburgh Fringe nominee, he’s been hailed by The Guardian and The Scotsman as one of the UK’s most important comedic voices.

Sarat Pediredla, CEO and co-founder of hedgehog lab, has built a global digital consultancy rooted in people-first values. From pioneering mobile app development to leading major growth investments and acquisitions, he champions innovation and authentic leadership. A proud North East entrepreneur, Sarat’s journey reflects resilience, inclusivity, and the belief that technology can create lasting impact.

Dr Birju Bartoli became Chief Executive of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in January 2024, after over two decades rising through the organisation. With a PhD in cancer research from Newcastle University, she has led major projects including the UK’s first Specialist Emergency Care Hospital. She also champions inclusion as Race Equality Board Champion and chairs the Trust’s Organ Donation Committee.

Jerry Arneja is Area Director at HSBC SME Business Banking, leading a team supporting SMEs across the North East and Humber. With 24 years in banking, he champions D&I, mentors colleagues, and drives the UK/India trade corridor. Jerry combines commercial expertise with community impact, supporting local businesses and fostering inclusive leadership across the region.

T.H.E Geordieland Experience unites Tourism, Hospitality, and Events to drive social and economic impact across the North East. With over 50,000 people in their global network, the award-winning team champions local businesses and communities, supporting regional growth and inclusion. Currently in pre-seed funding for an app to boost the local economy, they continue to make the North East a must-experience destination for all.

Umbrella Faith is a pioneering social enterprise advancing cultural understanding and inclusion across the UK. Through innovative, faith-inspired products—such as their prayer mats used by the British Army and Royal Services—and educational resources like What is a Muslim?, they promote respect, dignity, and awareness for all faiths. By bridging cultural divides and fostering belonging in workplaces and communities, Umbrella Faith continues to set a national example for inclusion by default.

For nearly 40 years, St Oswald’s Hospice has been a pillar of compassion, care and inclusion in the North East. Powered by over 400 staff and 800 volunteers, the Hospice supports thousands of adults, children and families each year — delivering not only exceptional healthcare but dignity, hope and human connection.

Bryony Rest is a highly respected immigration solicitor whose compassion, honesty, and unwavering dedication set her apart. She approaches every case with heart and integrity, ensuring clients are supported with realism and hope, never false promises.

Over the past two years, her professionalism, enthusiasm, and genuine care have inspired everyone around her. As a manager, she leads with empathy, fairness, and warmth—creating an environment where others can thrive. Bryony’s commitment to making a real difference in people’s lives makes her truly deserving of recognition and this award.

Sheona as a pioneer in the Church of England is trying to bring spiritual equality in the North East. In her Masters thesis challenged all the British Institutions contained in the Professor Alexis Jay report. She was also on the panel that chose Nazir Afzal a practicing Muslim to be the next independent Chair of the Church of England Safeguarding Team. She was asked to rewrite her thesis so she challenged psychology, psychotherapy, theology and spirituality.
She started her coaching and leadership business in order to make peace between peoples and their communities- by virtue of cultural inclusion and diverse recognition.

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Sam Spoors is the founder and director of Talentheads, an award-winning in-house recruitment company that’s redefining how businesses attract and retain talent. With nearly 15 years of experience in talent acquisition, Sam founded Talentheads during the pandemic with a clear mission — to move away from transactional recruitment and build people-powered partnerships that drive long-term success.

Rather than operating as a traditional agency, Talentheads embeds directly into clients’ organisations, living their culture and aligning with their values to deliver authentic, sustainable hiring solutions. Under Sam’s leadership, Talentheads has become a trusted partner across industries including engineering, tech, professional services, and the charity sector — proving that recruitment done differently can truly transform businesses from the inside out.

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Shummi Shah is the founder of Muslim Women North East (MWNE), a community group dedicated to creating safe, empowering spaces for Muslim women. From grassroots activism to initiatives like the Sunrise Club and Qur’an Journaling, she champions wellbeing, education, and belonging. Her work continues to inspire women across the North East and beyond.

Cllr Aaron Roy is Hartlepool’s first Non-White BAME councillor, a registered nurse, and founder of Mariners United Sporting Club CIC. Through football, Kabaddi, and community programmes, he empowers youth, fosters inclusion, and unites communities. His initiatives, including the UK’s first Tri-Nations Kabaddi Cup, showcase sport as a tool for cohesion, opportunity, and cultural pride.

Shamshad Iqbal Malik is a pioneering advocate for women’s rights and equality. As the founder of the Angelou Centre, she has dedicated her life to empowering women, supporting victims of honour-based violence, and challenging injustice in all its forms. Her lifelong commitment to creating safer, fairer communities has made a lasting impact across the North East and beyond. A true inspiration, Shamshad embodies compassion, courage, and the spirit of change recognised through the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Founded by Steph Ward after her own experiences with hip dysplasia and ADHD, SWOBS champions inclusivity and neurodiversity in entrepreneurship. In just a year, Steph grew from a one-woman team to a thriving business with eight full-time employees—both neurodivergent and neurotypical—with an all-female management team. Through her Spicy Brain Collective, including SWOBS and the Bootstrap Business Club, Steph empowers disabled and neurodiverse individuals to build businesses their way. Her mission-driven approach has earned awards, trust, and recognition for driving meaningful change across the UK.

John Mills, founder of STTAA CIC, is pioneering a transformative approach to the Home to School transport experience for autistic children and young people. Drawing from his own experience as a school bus driver, John identified major gaps in training and care, and has since worked tirelessly with parents, educators, councils, and universities to raise standards and design sensory-friendly, inclusive transport solutions.

With two local authorities set to pilot his programme and multiple awards from Newcastle University’s Internet of Caring Things initiative, John’s vision is creating meaningful change—retraining drivers, improving accessibility, and setting a new national benchmark for inclusive school transport.

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FRP Corporate Finance leads by example in creating a more inclusive, diverse and people-first workplace within a traditionally exclusive sector. The firm actively recruits from a wide range of backgrounds, embraces flexible working, and invests heavily in mentorship and professional development to ensure equal opportunities for all.

Beyond the boardroom, FRP champions inclusion through community impact — raising nearly £50,000 for the Newcastle Eagles Foundation and co-founding the Ladies in CF network to empower women in Corporate Finance. Their commitment to diversity, wellbeing and social value makes FRP a true trailblazer for inclusive business in the North East.

Following the August 2024 North East riots, Sunderland College’s Creative Arts Department launched Thread of Life — a powerful creative project that turned division into dialogue. Bringing together students from diverse backgrounds, the initiative used photography, media, and performance to celebrate local changemakers and explore themes of identity, inclusion, and resilience.

The project fostered empathy, understanding, and unity among young people, while follow-up initiatives like Hate2Riot, delivered with Northumbria Police, equipped students to challenge misinformation and prejudice.

With over 500 exhibition visitors and national recognition, Thread of Life showcased how creativity can heal communities and inspire a generation to build inclusion by default.

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Simone Roche MBE is the founder of Northern Power Women, the PoWEr Up Collective CIC, and the PoWEr Platform — a thriving community of over 85,000 individuals spanning all sectors, genders, and backgrounds. Passionate about driving gender equality and inclusion, Simone also established the Northern Power Women Awards, Europe’s largest celebration of gender equality and role models. Through the PoWEr Collective, she has enabled over 20,000 mentoring conversations and generated nearly £1 million in social value, empowering individuals and businesses to champion inclusive leadership across the UK.

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