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Celebrating the UK & India Special Relationship – Winners unveiled
at The Indian Awards 2018 held in the Houses of Parliament
The second Indian Awards, organised by the India Business Group (IBG), a leading business
advisory consultancy took place last night (17th May) in the Palace of Westminster.
The awards, attended by UK Home Secretary, Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, recognise UK-based
individuals, businesses and organisations that have contributed to furthering the relationship
culturally, socially or economically, between India and the UK.
The Awards were founded by Amarjit Singh, Chief Executive Officer of the India Business
Group (IBG), an established thought leader on UK – India business affairs and Special Advisor
for India to the University of Southampton.
The UK Home Secretary, Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP said:
“As Home Secretary, I am delighted to be able to attend the 2018 Indian Awards ceremony,
which recognises outstanding contributions to the UK-India relationship. The UK is one of the
world’s oldest democracies, and India the largest. Our collaboration is a force for good – our
shared values magnified by the ‘living bridge’ formed of a breadth of personal, professional,
cultural and institutional ties. With so much in common, it’s only natural that Britain and India
continue working together to make our people, and the world, safer and more prosperous”.
H.E. Mr Y.K. Sinha, The High Commissioner of India said:
“Commencing last year, The Indian Awards recognises and celebrates the outstanding work
done by individuals, businesses and organisations in the UK, who have contributed to
strengthening the UK-India partnership in recent years. I had the pleasure of presenting the
Special Recognition Award to the former Prime Minister David Cameron last year. I would like
to extend my best wishes for the second edition of these Awards.”
Following last month’s successful UK visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the gala
invitation-only dinner and ceremony featured senior business leaders, Government officials,
opinion formers and prominent members of the Indian community and guests from India and
other parts of the World. Nominations were invited by members of the public and the handful
of winners were chosen by a panel of esteemed judges and announced on the evening.
The UK’s International Trade Secretary, The Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP said:
“India is the world’s seventh-largest economy and the fourth largest investor into the UK,
while UK investment in India grew by 8.8% in the year to 2016. As an international economic
department, the Department for International Trade continuesto work closely with our Indian

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colleagues to maximise trade between our nations and I welcome this fantastic initiative,
celebrating the historic trading ties between the UK and India.”
The Awards ceremony wassupported by a range of high profile partners, including Associated
British Ports, Heathrow Airport, Invest India, the Institute of Directors Hampshire Cricket,
the Lalit Hotel, Niine and Star TV Networks was the official media partner. The awards were
also supported by Indus Net Techshu, Chivas Brothers, HCL, Here&Now365 and Taylor
Wessing.
The esteemed judging panel was made of up senior figures, including: Lord Patel of Bradford
OBE, Chair of IBG, Virendra Sharma MP, Chair of the Indo-British APPG, Baroness Prashar CBE,
Deputy Chair of the British Council, Rajiv Luthra, Founder and Managing Partner of Luthra &
Luthra Law Advocates, Dr Catherine Raines, Former Director General of Department for
International Trade, and Alan Fitzwater, Director of Regional Engagement at the Institute of
Directors.
The Rt Hon Mark Field MP, FCO Minister of State for Asia said:
“As the Minister for Asia, I am delighted that the Indian Awards ceremony is happening again
this year to recognise outstanding contributions to the UK-India relationship. While there is
plenty in our shared culture that binds us closely together, what excites me is the relationship
we can forge for the future, in technology, in tackling the many global challenges we face.
Working together, the UK and India can be a powerful force for good in the world.”
The Special Recognition Award which applauds ‘an individual’s outstanding commitment to
building UK-India relations’ was presented to Dr Rami Ranger CBE, Chairman of Sun Mark
Limited.
On receiving the award, Dr Rangersaid: “It is a great honour to receive thisspecial recognition
award from the India Business Group. I am grateful to the judges who considered me worthy
of this accolade. I am privileged to receive the award as last year the same recognition was
bestowed upon my hero, the Former Prime Minster of the UK, The Rt. Hon. David Cameron.
This award also represents India’s emerging stature and standing in the world as a positive
economic and political force. The partnership between India and Britain is based on similar
values and as a result, it will go from strength to strength”.
“The India Business Group is delighted to present the second Indian Awards initiative,” says
Mr Singh. “The modern relationship between the UK and India is at a key juncture. Through
The Indian Awards, we aim to inspire and encourage the next generation of UK and Indian
entrepreneurs, facilitators and bridge builders who will take the bilateral relationship to
greater heights.”
THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS:
1. Larger Business Award – Rolls-Royce PLC
2. SME Award – EnergyPro Limited

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3. Professional Adviser Award – Deepak Lalwani OBE, Founder and Chairman of Lalcap
Limited
4. Entrepreneur Award – Alpesh Patel, Founder of Praefinium Partners
5. Arts & Culture Award – Gurinder Chadha OBE
6. Special Recognition Award – Dr Rami Ranger CBE, Chairman of Sun Mark Limited
Professor, The Lord Patel of Bradford OBE, Chairman of India Business Group said:
“This special initiative celebrates, for the first time, the efforts of outstanding organisations
and individuals (based in the UK) who have worked over the years to strengthen the bond
between the UK and India. This influential awards ceremony is a timely reminder about
the mutually beneficial, evolving and special relationship between our two great nations.”
Lord Deighton KBE, Chairman of Heathrow Airport, one of the partner organisations for the
awards said:
“Heathrow is the UK’s gateway to India with more connections to the country than any other
UK airport. It plays a key role in maintaining Britain’s links to India with flights to six
destinations, carrying 2.5 million passengers and more than 127,000 metric tonnes of cargo
to and from the country via Heathrow last year alone. We’re proud to be attending the India
Business Group Awards, recognising the groups and individuals who have contributed to
strengthening the UK-India partnership. Having recently received India’s Prime Minister,
Narendra Modi, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in April, we
understand the important role that India plays in the UK’s economy and are working to see
that grow.”
Virendra Sharma MP, Chair of the Indo – British APPG
“The Indian Awards is an important UK wide initiative for recognising entrepreneurs,
inspirational people and organisations that have championed international cooperation
between the UK and India. This is an opportune moment to celebrate the dynamic UK-India
partnership”.
Stephen Martin, Director General of the Institute of Directors, one of the partner
organisations for the awards said:
“The IoD is delighted to have participated in The Indian Awards, particularly at a time when
the UK needs to turn its idea of “Global Britain” into a tangible reality. Growing business and
trade links between our two countries is essential as we prepare to exit the European Union.”
Notes to Editors
(1) The India Business Group (IBG) is a leading advisory consultancy that specialises in helping
organisations develop bilateral trade and investment opportunities between the UK and India
markets. It is globally recognised as having specialist expertise and regional know-how
designed to support organisations with market entry and cross border business transactions.
http://www.theindiabusinessgroup.com/site/about/about-ibg/

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(2) The Indian Awards comprise a handful of six elite awards, with the following categories to
the awards: larger business (annual turnover greater than £100m); SME business (annual
turnover up to £100m); individual entrepreneur award, professional adviser; arts and culture
and special recognition. http://www.theindianawards.com
(3) The IBG is delighted to be supporting the Niine Movement, an ambitious India based
initiative aimed at raising awareness of menstrual hygiene: http://www.niine.com
For further information, contact:
Amarjit Singh, Chief Executive Officer – India Business Group: 0844 313 3133 or email:
a.singh@theindiabusinessgroup.com
Social Media Platforms
1. For Twitter, we are using two channels as follows:
The India Business Group: @_Indiagroup – https://twitter.com/_indiagroup
The Indian Awards: @TheIndianAwards – http://twitter.com/TheIndianAwards
Our main hashtag is #IBGIndianAwards
2. For LinkedIn, we are using the India Business Group:
https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/10411901/
3. For Facebook, we are using the India Business Group:
https://www.facebook.com/The-India-Business-Group-1012748728751498/

Source: World Hindu News (WHN)