The Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid MP has retained the top spot on the GG2 Power List, the definitive ranking of the UK’s most powerful Asians.
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The annual publication, which was revealed last night at the GG2 Leadership Awards, has been published for the ninth year and features the UK’s 101 most recognised and influential Asians from a wide range of sectors.
On topping the annual GG2 Power List, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sajid Javid, said: “I am honoured to be recognised on the GG2 Power List once more and I am proud to live in a Britain where anyone can become Chancellor, whatever their background.
“Each person on this year’s Power List has their own story to tell; but the example they set to young Asian women and men is helping to create a better and brighter future for Britain. I commend and congratulate them all.”
During his speech at the GG2 Leadership Awards, the Chancellor referenced the recent 150th birth anniversary of iconic Indian campaigner Mahatma Gandhi and went on to reveal plans that had been put forward for a new UK coin to commemorate Gandhi.
He added: “I was incredibly proud, as Culture Secretary in 2015, to oversee the new Gandhiji statue outside Parliament.
“It was the first statue in Parliament Square of someone who had never held public office. I can announce tonight that I’ve asked the team at the Royal Mint to bring forward proposals for a new coin to commemorate Gandhiji.
“Tonight we’re rightly celebrating the phenomenal success of the British Asian community.”
Javid retains the top position he achieved last year on the GG2 Power List, after being named Britain’s first Asian Chancellor in July 2019. Together with Home Secretary Priti Patel, who features at number two on this year’s list, the pair represent the first time that two out of the top four cabinet positions have been occupied by politicians of Black or Asian heritage.
For the second year in a row, Hollywood star Riz Ahmed features in the top 10 (ranked at number 8) as the only figure from entertainment and the arts. The award-winning British actor has wowed audiences and critics alike with his recent performance in Sound of Metal, whilst remaining a strong voice for on screen representation and diversity in the arts.
Joining him in notable positions are the likes of Romesh Ranganathan (15), Jameela Jamil (16), Sanjeev Bhaskar and Meera Syal (21) and new entrant British-Indian actress Naomi Scott (27) who impressed as the iconic Princess Jasmine in Disney’s Aladdin this year and is soon to be seen in ‘Charlie’s Angels’.
The Top 10 features Neil Basu (5), Assistant Commissioner of Specialist Operations forthe Metropolitan Police.
Basu took up this position last year and is responsible for leading counter-terrorism policing nationally, widely regarded as the toughest job in British policing. Rishi Sunak, climbs 37 places from last year (44-7) due to his new position as Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
Notable new entries on this year’s Power List include Munira Mirza (18), director of the Number 10 Policy Unit; Mohit Bakaya (20), controller of BBC Radio 4; Amika George (32), the 19 year old activist who set up the #FreePeriods petition; and the Kamani family (36), founders of trailblazing online fashion brands Boohoo.com and Pretty Little Thing.
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