ABC Awards 2020 Celebrations

Businesses and individuals from across the region’s Asian community have been recognised for the contribution they have made to the continued development of the North East region.

Through the ABC Awards 2020, those from the public, private and third sectors who have made a significant and sustained contribution to the economic and social wellbeing of the region, are rewarded for their dedication.

The awards, now in their 11th year, have become a staple of the region’s business calendar, with hundreds of people coming together from across the North of England to acknowledge the vast contribution of the Asian community.

While this year the awards were held online due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, the turnout was as strong as ever, with the region’s business community again uniting to celebrate the achievements of so many within it.

The event, sponsored by Great Annual Savings, also helped to raise vital funds for the PIE Charity, with the aim of feeding at least 200 families in need.

Alongside the usual accolades given by the ABC Awards, 2020 saw the introduction of the new Dr Nas Khan OBE Award, established in memory of the much-loved entrepreneur and philanthropist and awarded in recognition of outstanding efforts to promote community cohesion.

The winners of the ABC Awards 2020 were:

Independent Award: Arafat Rashid and Dr Rashpal Singh

Business Award: Jimmy Tsang

Professional Award: Naomi Oosman-Watts and Dr Ramdas Senasi

Public Award: Waheda Khot and Zoe Hingston

Third Sector Award: Ramanathas Kumareswaradas

Lifetime Achievement Award: Krishan Kant Attri

Dr Nas Khan OBE Award: Shuley Alam

Ammar Mirza CBE, founder and chairman of Asian Business Connexions, which runs the ABC Awards, said: “The ABC Awards Dinner has grown in size and status over the years to become the foremost Asian celebration in the region, and we worked so hard to take this huge event online. It was a fantastic occasion which was even more inclusive than ever before, through giving the opportunity for people to attend from across the whole North of England.

“Our award winners have all excelled through their dedication and commitment to their communities and professions, and the ABC Awards exist to recognise such outstanding contribution to the North East. We were also delighted to introduce the Dr Nas Khan OBE Award, in memory of our friend and inspiration who contributed too much to the region. This was a very special occasion, although we couldn’t be together in person, and are so grateful for the fantastic support we have again had from the North East business community in putting on the ABC Awards 2020.”