16th September 2009
The GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards are hosted by the Asian Media & Marketing Group at a lavish ceremony in London on 15th September 2009 at the Grosvenor Hotel, London.
The Asian Media & Marketing Group (AMG) is Britain’s biggest Asian publishing house. With a 40 year heritage, AMG publishes a stable of market leading magazines for the Asian community in the UK and USA. The company hosts a number of hugely successful events and award dinners affiliated with its magazines.
The 11th Annual GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards was a premier ceremony highlighting and showcasing ethnic achievement, celebrating the very best of multi-cultural Britain on their ‘Inspirational Leadership in times of change’. All award winners were outstanding individuals who have excelled and overcome barriers against the odds. The GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards were honoured and privileged to have Rt Hon. Tony Blair, former Prime Minister, as the keynote speaker at this year’s gala awards ceremony.
Sabina Iqbal has been honoured in the GG2 Leadership and Diversity Award 2009: Achievement through Adversity, presented by Cherie Blair, the wife of former Prime Minister, Ramnikal Solanki CBE, Editor – in-chief of the Asian Media and Markerting Group, Robin Bailey, Insurance & Investment Director and Chairman the Diversity and Equality Opportunities Committee, Nationwide and Gillian Joseph, Sky News presenter.
Ramniklal Solanki CBE explained: “We value the diversity of our people and our society; and the leaders who have done much to maintain the harmony of our diverse society. In these difficult economic times, it is important that we stand as one and deliver a positive and powerful message to those who seek to divide us. These awards show that our country is amply enriched by diversity and that statement must be heard far and wide.”
The evening was celebrated with the awards host – Hardeep Singh Kohli with many distinguished guests including BBC and Sky News presenters; with well-known VIPs, civil servants, sports personalities, musician, broadcasters, celebrities and MPs in attendance, lots of characters from EastEnders including Nina Wadia (who plays Zainab); Sir David Normington, Civil Service Permanent Secretary and Sir Paul Stephenson, Commissioner Metropolitan Police.
Sabina Iqbal, Chair/Founder of Deaf Parenting UK was shocked when her name was announced for the GG2 Leadership and Diversity Award 2009: Achievement through Adversity, awarded to an individual who has reached a high level of attainment through difficult circumstance. Sabina was ecstatic to have won the award and exclaimed: “It shows that being Asian, Deaf, and Women with leadership through adversity, if I can do it the others can do it too. It was a fantastic event to network with celebrities and met Cherie Blair and who presented my award!”
Deaf Parenting UK Spokesperson: “Sabina Iqbal did so much in this regard, overcame so many barriers and succeeded in leadership in her personal and professional life. We congratulate her for her achievements.
Now, we are so proud to receive more recognition with 12 awards in the last 12 months. So a very big thanks to all of you for your massive support to Deaf Parenting UK and our work. Clearly the recognition of the awards has given us positive impact and changes to Deaf parents’ lives and the importance of our work with Deaf parents and professionals/service providers who works with Deaf parents.”
