LEEDS, UK – April 10, 2025: In a landmark moment for Yorkshire’s thriving business landscape, influential entrepreneurs, community leaders, and changemakers gathered at the iconic Aagrah Leeds to witness the launch of the Business Power Awards – a new initiative set to champion innovation, equity, and entrepreneurial excellence across the region.
Announcing a double feature of celebration and inspiration – two glittering gala evenings will light up the calendar this year: the ‘Business Power Empowering Women Awards’, and the show-stopping main event, ‘Business Power Awards 2025’, where Yorkshire’s finest take centre stage in a celebration of unstoppable ambition, innovation, and impact.
Backed by the Asian Express newspaper, named “a titan of local business insight for over 25-years” by former High Sheriff of West Yorkshire – Dr Zulfi Karim DL, both glitzy award ceremonies promise to be more than just another date in the diary. It’s a movement – spotlighting trailblazers, celebrating unsung heroes, and honouring the businesses that are quite literally powering Yorkshire’s economy.
The prestigious launch event welcomed high-profile keynote speakers including Dr. Zulfi Karim DL, former High Sheriff of West Yorkshire, and Dr. Hanif Malik OBE, who who delivered rousing keynotes echoing the importance of recognising the economic impact of ethnic minority businesses (EMBs) and nurturing inclusive enterprise.
Drawing on decades of insight, storytelling, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the newspaper’s ‘Business Power’ staple editorial section, Asian Express is now stepping into the limelight as a full-fledged awards platform and movement.
A legacy reborn: From the Asian Business Development Network to a new power collective
Speaking at the event, Dr Hanif Malik OBE said: “The Business Power Awards have been founded by Nadim and Andleeb Hanif, the powerhouse duo behind the Asian Express.
“Their newspaper has chronicled over 5,000 business success stories through its Business Power section – offering a unique lens on entrepreneurialism that is inclusive, community-rooted, and unapologetically ambitious.
“The awards recognise that business is more than bottom lines – it’s about equity, diversity, representation, and resilience. It’s about celebrating those breaking glass ceilings, creating jobs, leading with purpose, and inspiring future generations.”
Business Power Awards have been inspired by the legacy of the late Arshad Chaudhry’s Asian Business Development Network (ABDN), a brand acquired by Nadim Hanif.
ABDN still resonates as playing a crucial role in mentoring and spotlighting minority-led businesses in the early 2000s. The Business Power Awards represents a modern evolution of that same mission: recognising those who are building businesses that change lives, shape neighbourhoods, and shift narratives.
BUSINESS POWER EMPOWERING WOMEN AWARDS NOMINATIONS OPEN NOW
Celebrating local brilliance, fuelling national growth
Andleeb Hanif, Founding Partner and Managing Editor of Asian Express says: “At its core, the Business Power Awards are more than just a trophy and a title. They serve as a platform for sharing stories, inspiring others towards economic empowerment, and is celebration of the diverse entrepreneurs driving growth from the grassroots up.
“The UK government has repeatedly emphasised the pivotal role of SMEs and ethnic minority businesses (EMBs) in delivering the nation’s economic growth strategy. And, nowhere is this more evident than in Yorkshire – a region whose rich entrepreneurial spirit continues to thrive in sectors as diverse as tech, retail, manufacturing, property, and the creative industries.
“I’m a firm believer of sharing stories of challenges overcome, so that it may inspire others that they too can overcome their personal challenges in order to achieve their ambitions. The Business Power Awards aim to do just that: offer a national platform to share the incredible stories of our region’s diverse businesses and unique individuals, and play our part in encouraging the transformation of potential into performance.”
According to Aston University’s CREME report, endorsed by the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, EMBs contribute an astonishing £25 billion annually to the UK economy, with the potential to quadruple that figure to £100 billion over the next decade if given the right visibility, support, and investment.
What’s Next: A Movement in Motion
Nadim Hanif, CEO Asian Express said: “Todays launch marks the beginning of a year filled with networking events, skill-building workshops, and two major black-tie awards evenings, celebrating the very best of Yorkshire’s business scene.
“Yorkshire is already a powerhouse of entrepreneurial energy – we’re simply giving it the stage it deserves.
“Working with our key partners, our agenda is to play our role in helping push the power of entrepreneurialism to transform communities and fuel national prosperity.
“Both the ‘Empowering Women Awards’, and the ‘Business Power Awards’, serve more than recognition – it’s a rallying cry to build, innovate, and rise together.
“We’d like to extend our gratitude to our partners, sponsors, supporters and attendees, who attended the launch, supported the vision, and joined the movement. The Business Power Awards invites more organisations, partners, and business leaders to get involved.
“Together, we can build a future where diverse entrepreneurship is the cornerstone of economic growth, not the exception. Join the Power Collective. Celebrate bold ambition. Be part of the Business Power Movement.”
