The Yorkshire Asian Business Association has announced the shortlist for the YABA Annual Awards Dinner 2016, which this year has drawn the highest number of entries ever received.

After meeting with fellow judges to discuss the nominations, Juliette Healey from Bank of England said “The judges were faced with some difficult decisions this year, there are very close categories. We have been so excited by the amount of applications we have received, each with fantastic success in their field. We’re looking forward to announcing the winners at the Awards Dinner”. Other judges included Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Lesley Batchelor from Institute of Export and Tommy Nagra from BBC Television amongst others.

With the Annual Awards Dinner now in its third year the event has grown to become one of the most prestigious celebrations in the Asian business calendar. Sponsors include the Royal Armoured Corps Band, iCO Event Services, Institute of Export and BQ Magazine amongst others all showing the Yorkshire Asian business community support.

The Yorkshire Asian Business Association provides a voice for businesses on a regional, national and international level no matter what size or sector your business. Asian businesses are as diverse as the population of the UK, spanning manufacturing and professional services, retail, entertainment and fashion, hospitality industries, telecommunications and more, and YABA come together each year to celebrate emerging and evolving businesses in the region.

The shortlisted applicants, listed below, have been invited to the Awards Dinner where the winners will be announced on 29th September at the Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford. Special awards are sponsored by IA3, GCI and YABA and will be announced on the evening.

Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year

FINALISTS

Akhtar Kasia – FAAB
Manjit – Manjit’s Kitchen
Ricci Dean – Pearl Noir

Food and Drink Business of the Year

FINALISTS

Shabir Hussain – Akbars
Mahboob Hussein – Ice Stone Gelato

International Business of the Year

FINALISTS

Rusha Ali – Eurobangla
Ibrahim Najahi – R&R Ice Cream
Richard Smith – Surfachem

 

Retail Business of the Year

FINALISTS

Jaz – Bradford Bazaar
Kiren Basra – Bierley Superstores

SME Business of the Year

FINALISTS

Amara Sangha – Pamper Me
Nasar Hussain – itc
Rachim Singh – Petherbridge Bassra Solicitors
Parvinder Bhabra – Northern Cam Co Ltd
Salma Karolia – Salma’s Beauty Academy

Professional of the Year

FINALISTS

Iqbal Bhana – Iqbal Bhana
Noor Ali – Category Manager World Foods & Free From  – Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc
Pritpal Singh – PWC
Ranjit Uppal – Switalskis Solicitors

YABA: The Yorkshire Asian Business Association are here to provide a voice for business on a regional, national and international level. Pulling out all the stops for your business, we will support you no matter what your size or your sector. The YABA works under the framework of the National Asian Business Association (NABA – www.nabauk.org) to develop a cohesive, comprehensive strategy to be the voice of Asian Businesses.

As an independent organisation, the YABA will do its best to work with our members to create a better environment for their businesses.