Each year, with the support of our readers and communities, Asian Standard curates its Most Influential List to recognise British Asians who are shaping the North East and beyond, not always from the spotlight, but often from the frontlines of change.
This list is not exhaustive, nor does it claim to capture every individual making a difference. Across our communities, there are countless people leading, building, advocating and serving in ways that may never make headlines. Many operate quietly, driven by purpose rather than profile.
So why does the Influential List matter?
It matters because too often, influence is measured narrowly, by wealth, status or visibility alone. This list challenges that idea. It exists to spotlight leadership in all its forms; to share stories that inspire the next generation; to reflect the breadth of influence within our communities; and to ensure that those creating real, lasting impact are seen beyond their immediate circles.
The 2025 list reflects a year of challenge, resilience and transformation. From healthcare and education to business, technology, culture and grassroots action, this year’s honourees demonstrate how influence is exercised through service, innovation, courage and consistency. Some lead institutions, others lead movements. All are shaping lives.
At a time when representation and role models matter more than ever, Asian Standard’s Most Influential List is both a celebration and a record, capturing the people helping to define who we are, and where we are going.
Presented in no particular order, we are proud to introduce Asian Standard’s Most Influential of the North East, 2025.
Ravneet Kaur: Driving the North East’s influence at the heart of the UK’s net zero future
Ravneet Kaur’s career sits at the intersection of innovation, infrastructure and influence — placing her firmly among the North East’s most impactful women shaping the UK’s energy
transition.
Her recent appointment to National Grid as part of its Strategic Infrastructure team marks a significant milestone, positioning a North East-based leader at the centre of decisions that will underpin Britain’s future energy system. In the role, Kaur will help shape scalable, resilient infrastructure critical to delivering net zero at a time of rapid change across the energy landscape.
Kaur wasted no time making her mark. In her first week, she chaired a high-profile panel at Innovation Zero, leading a discussion on the future of onshore and offshore wind. Grid upgrades widely acknowledged as a major constraint on renewable expansion, sat at the heart of the debate, underlining the scale and urgency of the challenge she is now helping to address.
Before joining National Grid, Kaur spent six and a half years at Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, the UK’s flagship technology innovation and research centre for offshore wind, wave and tidal energy. As Senior Technology Acceleration Manager, she led national and international programmes that brought together government, global energy giants and high-growth startups. Her work included leading the UK-India offshore wind partnership, delivering multi-award-winning accelerator programmes with industry leaders, and spearheading multi-million-pound R&D initiatives supporting more than 250 clean-tech innovators.
A co-founder of Newcastle-based AI and IoT clean-tech start-up Equiwatt, Kaur combines policy, technology and entrepreneurial insight. Her achievements have been recognised nationally, including being named one of just 200 recipients of the UK Government’s Exceptional Talent visa, winning Renewable Energy Professional of the Year, and receiving a Rising Star award sponsored by National Grid.
With triple master’s qualifications and a growing national platform, Ravneet Kaur represents a new generation of North East leadership, globally connected, innovation-driven and shaping decisions that will define the UK’s energy future.
Dr Balsam Ahmed: Championing Public Health and Equity in the North East
Dr Balsam Ahmed stands out as a leading voice in public health research, education and community impact, a figure whose influence resonates far beyond the lecture theatre at Newcastle University.
As an Associate Lecturer in Public Health, Dr Ahmed combines academic rigour with community engagement, shaping how future health professionals understand the complex social determinants of health. Her work focuses on reducing health inequalities, improving access to care and building evidence-based approaches to population wellbeing — issues that have become focal points in post-pandemic public discourse.
Dr Ahmed’s influence extends into research leadership. She has played a crucial role in multidisciplinary projects that bridge academic inquiry with real-world impact. Her contributions include studies examining health behaviours, community resilience and the intersections of culture, identity and health outcomes among diverse populations in the North East. By centring lived experience and inclusive methodology, Dr Ahmed’s work helps inform policy conversations at local and regional levels.
Beyond her academic contributions, she is a respected mentor to students and early-career researchers, known for her commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion within higher education. Through guest lectures, panels and public forums, Dr Ahmed engages with communities across the region, translating complex public health findings into accessible insights that empower citizens and stakeholders alike.
Her voice has been increasingly sought in policy discussions and media commentary, reflecting broader recognition of her expertise. In a period marked by pressing public health challenges — from mental wellbeing to preventive care — Dr Ahmed’s leadership demonstrates how evidence-based scholarship can drive constructive dialogue and meaningful change.
With a blend of intellectual depth, community engagement and advocacy for health equity, Dr Balsam Ahmed exemplifies the calibre of leadership shaping the North East’s public health landscape today.
Iqra Shahzadi: Breaking barriers in uniform and redefining representation
Cpl Iqra Shahzadi has emerged as one of the North East’s most powerful symbols of progress, representation and service — a woman whose impact reaches far beyond her military role.
Serving as a military nurse in the British Army, Shahzadi made history as the Army’s first
Muslim, hijab-wearing soldier. Her presence in uniform challenged long-held stereotypes about faith, identity and service, prompting national attention and contributing to important policy change around religious accommodation within the armed forces.
Her journey is one of multiple firsts. Shahzadi was the first in her family to attend university, to qualify as a nurse and to serve in the military — milestones achieved through determination and resilience. In a profession defined by discipline and pressure, she has combined clinical excellence with leadership, caring for patients while representing a new generation of British Muslims in uniform.
Beyond her frontline role, Shahzadi’s influence lies in what she represents. By visibly occupying a space where few women — and even fewer Muslim women — have been seen, she has helped normalise diversity within the armed forces. Her advocacy and lived experience have informed internal conversations on inclusion and belonging, while externally inspiring young women to imagine careers previously considered out of reach.
Shahzadi is frequently cited as a role model for young people navigating questions of identity, ambition and belonging. Her story resonates particularly strongly across South Asian and Muslim communities, where she has become a powerful example of how faith and public service can coexist without compromise.
In an era when representation matters more than ever, Cpl Iqra Shahzadi’s influence is defined not by title alone, but by the doors she has opened. Through service, courage and quiet leadership, she is helping reshape perceptions of who belongs — and who can lead — in modern Britain.
Shamin Ali: Redefining leadership in law through advocacy and inclusion
Shamin Ali’s rise within the legal profession reflects a broader shift taking place across the North East — one in which South Asian women are increasingly shaping senior decision-making roles while widening access for others to follow.
A partner and solicitor at Tilly Bailey & Irvine, Ali has built a reputation for combining legal excellence with a strong commitment to community advocacy. Her work spans complex legal practice while remaining grounded in mentorship, equality and social responsibility — qualities that saw her recognised as a finalist at the ABC Awards 2025 in the Professional Award category.
Alongside her role in law, Ali is also the founder of her own real-estate agency, further underlining her entrepreneurial drive and commercial acumen. Operating across both sectors has given her a unique perspective on access, representation and opportunity — particularly for women and ethnic minority professionals navigating traditionally male-dominated industries.
Ali is widely respected for her commitment to nurturing future talent. Through mentoring, outreach and advocacy, she actively supports aspiring solicitors and business leaders, using her platform to challenge barriers that continue to limit progression within the profession. Her work has helped create more inclusive pathways for young people considering careers in law, property and professional services.
Beyond her professional achievements, Ali’s influence extends into humanitarian and community-focused initiatives, where she has championed causes linked to social justice and equality. Colleagues and peers often describe her as a bridge-builder — someone who understands both institutional structures and grassroots realities.
At a time when the legal sector is under increasing scrutiny to reflect the communities it serves, Shamin Ali’s leadership offers a compelling example of how expertise, empathy and representation can coexist. Her recognition at the ABC Awards is not only a personal milestone, but a marker of the growing influence of South Asian women reshaping the North East’s professional landscape.
Dr Meenakshi Choudhary: Shaping the future of fertility care through ethical innovation
Dr Meenakshi Choudhary has become one of the North East’s most influential voices in reproductive medicine, combining clinical excellence with ethical leadership at a time when
fertility care is undergoing rapid scientific and societal change.
Based at Newcastle Fertility Centre, Dr Choudhary is widely regarded as a leading figure in advanced fertility treatment. Her work has placed the region at the forefront of innovation, particularly through her involvement in pioneering ethical egg donation and mitochondrial donation programmes — areas that have positioned the UK as a global leader in reproductive science.
In 2025, her contribution to healthcare innovation was recognised at the ABC Awards, where she was honoured in the Health & Life Science category. The accolade reflects not only clinical achievement, but her wider influence in shaping best practice, patient experience and ethical standards within fertility care.
Dr Choudhary’s impact extends beyond treatment outcomes. She has been instrumental in promoting patient-centred approaches that prioritise informed consent, transparency and emotional wellbeing — particularly for women and couples navigating complex fertility journeys. Her work has helped normalise conversations around fertility, donor conception and reproductive choice within communities where such topics have historically remained sensitive or stigmatised.
As demand for fertility services continues to rise, Dr Choudhary is also recognised for her role in guiding the next generation of clinicians. Through mentoring, multidisciplinary collaboration and research-led practice, she contributes to workforce development and the integration of cutting-edge science into everyday clinical care.
In a year where women’s health, reproductive rights and ethical medicine remain firmly in the public spotlight, Dr Meenakshi Choudhary’s leadership stands out. Her influence lies not only in advancing medical science, but in ensuring that progress in fertility care is matched by compassion, responsibility and trust — values that continue to shape the field in 2025 and beyond.
Dr Birju Bartoli: Leading the NHS in the North East with purpose, scale and impact
Dr Birju Bartoli stands as one of the most influential South Asian women in the North East, 
holding one of the region’s most demanding leadership roles as Chief Executive of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
At the helm of one of the largest and most complex NHS trusts in the country, Dr Bartoli is responsible for services spanning hospitals, community care and integrated health systems across Northumberland and North Tyneside. In 2025, her leadership has been central to navigating continued pressures on the NHS while driving long-term transformation in patient care, workforce wellbeing and system integration.
Widely respected for her calm, values-led approach, Dr Bartoli has prioritised patient safety, staff engagement and innovation at scale. Under her stewardship, Northumbria Healthcare has continued to strengthen its reputation for clinical excellence, while also advancing digital transformation, tackling waiting list backlogs and embedding more joined-up models of care across hospital and community settings.
Her influence extends well beyond operational delivery. Dr Bartoli is a prominent voice within national NHS leadership networks, contributing to conversations around health inequality, workforce sustainability and the future shape of public healthcare. In a period where the NHS faces unprecedented scrutiny, her ability to balance financial responsibility with compassionate leadership has marked her out as a trusted figure at both regional and national levels.
As a South Asian woman leading a major NHS trust, Dr Bartoli’s visibility carries wider significance. She represents progress in a sector where senior leadership has not always reflected the diversity of the workforce or communities it serves. Her career trajectory has helped challenge assumptions about who leads at the highest levels of public service.
As the NHS continues to evolve amid rising demand and constrained resources, Dr Birju Bartoli’s leadership remains pivotal. Her influence lies not only in scale and authority, but in her commitment to delivering equitable, high-quality healthcare — setting a benchmark for leadership in the North East and beyond.
Meenu Malhotra: A global businessman shaping the North East’s influence at home and abroad
Meenu Malhotra’s influence spans continents, sectors and generations, marking him out as one of the North East’s most powerful and respected business and civic leaders.
Based in Newcastle, Malhotra is chairman of Malhotra Group PLC, a multi-sector enterprise with interests across hospitality, care, leisure, finance and a substantial commercial property portfolio. Under his leadership, the group has become a major regional employer while maintaining a strong focus on long-term investment and community impact.
In recognition of his business achievements and charitable contributions, Malhotra was awarded a Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) by the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences in 2025. The degree was conferred at a landmark ceremony attended by around 40,000 students, dignitaries and guests, placing him among a select group of global figures recognised for leadership and social responsibility.
His influence extends well beyond the UK. In his home city of Ludhiana, Malhotra has led major regeneration projects including the M Square commercial development and the Imperial Golf Estate — a flagship scheme featuring a championship golf course, luxury residences, a five-star hotel and an international school.
In 2024, Malhotra made history with his appointment as India’s first Honorary Consul General in the UK, a newly created role that has positioned him at the forefront of strengthening economic, cultural and educational ties between the UK and India. His diplomatic role complements decades of philanthropic work through the Malhotra Family Foundation, supporting health and social development initiatives in both countries.
A former Asian Businessman of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year, Malhotra has topped the Northern Asian Power List, served as a Member of Court at Newcastle University, and was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Northumberland in 2021.
Meenu Malhotra’s influence lies not only in commercial success, but in his ability to connect regions, cultures and communities — placing the North East firmly on the global stage.
Amit Bahanda: The quiet force powering community change across the North East
Amit Bahanda is widely regarded by those who know the region best as one of the North East’s most influential — and most understated — community leaders. His impact has been built not on personal profile, but on years of consistent, values-driven service to others.
At the heart of his work is Project Santa, which Bahanda founded and continues to chair. What began as a small act of seasonal kindness has grown into one of the region’s most impactful grassroots initiatives. Under his leadership, Project Santa has raised the equivalent of £45,000, delivering gifts, food and essential support to families experiencing hardship. For many recipients, the initiative represents dignity and visibility as much as material help.
Bahanda’s commitment to fairness and representation extends well beyond one organisation. As a director of ABC Connexions and a driving force behind the Inclusion by Default campaign, he has worked to challenge systemic exclusion, pushing organisations to embed inclusion at the core of how they operate rather than treating it as an add-on.
He is also a key supporter of The Awesome Women campaign, using his influence to amplify women’s voices, champion equity and celebrate achievement — a consistent reflection of his approach to allyship and leadership.
His dedication to cultural representation is further demonstrated through his role as a founding director of Spice FM, the region’s only Asian radio station, which has provided a vital platform for under-represented communities and strengthened cultural connection across the North East.
Alongside this, Bahanda serves as a Magistrate, bringing integrity, compassion and fairness to the justice system, and has personally helped raise £20,000 for Cancer Research UK.
Amit Bahanda’s influence lies not in self-promotion, but in the lives improved through his work. Recognising him is a recognition of grassroots leadership, community cohesion and service without ego — qualities that continue to shape the North East quietly, but profoundly.
Sheraz Awan: How a Newcastle shopkeeper turned retail space into a lifeline for the community
For nearly three decades, Sheraz Awan has run his retail business in the heart of Newcastle — not just as a place of trade, but as a point of care, consistency and quiet support for the
people around him.
Well known locally and increasingly recognised online through his popular TikTok presence, Awan has built a following that reflects more than personality. It reflects trust. His shop has become a familiar and dependable space, particularly for those facing hardship, isolation or food insecurity.
That commitment was most visible last Christmas, when Awan made the decision to keep his shop open while many food banks and services were closed for the holiday period. With families struggling and support networks paused, he chose to step in — giving away thousands of loaves of bread to people who needed them most. For many, it was not just food, but reassurance that someone was still there.
Awan’s approach to business — using what he has to help others — is rooted in long-standing values rather than publicity. That same ethos was evident in 2023 when he was unexpectedly recognised on Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, where he was surprised in his own store by Fleur East. Nominated by his shop manager, Julia Boyd, Awan was selected for a once-in-a-lifetime prize — a place on the show’s final plane to Florida.
In a moment that captured his character, Awan chose to send his family instead, staying behind to continue supporting people who relied on him. “A lot of people were depending on me and I didn’t want to let them down,” he said at the time.
Sheraz Awan’s influence lies not in celebrity, but in consistency. By keeping his doors open — literally and figuratively — he has shown how small businesses can become anchors of community resilience, compassion and dignity in the North East.
Imran Anwar: Powering Teesside’s digital future through innovation and investment
Imran Anwar has emerged as one of the most influential figures shaping Teesside’s digital and AI-driven economy, combining entrepreneurial leadership with a clear commitment to regional growth and talent development.
Based in Middlesbrough, Anwar wears multiple strategic hats. He is chief executive of Alt Labs and Flok, while also serving on the Tees Valley Business Board – Digital and the Middlesbrough Development Corporation board. Alongside this, he is a governor at Middlesbrough College, helping shape skills and pathways for the next generation.
In 2025, his influence was formally recognised when he was named Tees Business Leader of the Year, an accolade reflecting both commercial success and regional impact. Known as an innovative, out-of-the-box thinker, Anwar has consistently adapted to economic uncertainty, using technology as a tool to unlock opportunity rather than retreat from challenge.
Central to his recent impact is the Tees Valley Labs programme, which has helped launch 20 new start-ups, many of which are already generating revenue and securing external investment. Through The Forge programme, he has also attracted significant third-party funding, strengthening the region’s digital ecosystem and confidence among investors.
Anwar is now focused on building a sustainable pipeline that connects investors directly with Teesside-based technology, ensuring innovation developed in the region is supported to scale locally rather than migrate elsewhere. His work has helped reposition Teesside as a credible destination for AI, digital enterprise and inward investment.
Imran Anwar’s influence lies in momentum — creating businesses, backing people and building systems that will shape tomorrow’s entrepreneurs and ensure Teesside remains competitive in a fast-moving digital economy.
Dr Mehzeb Chowdhury: Innovation, justice and creativity shaping the North East’s global reach
Dr Mehzeb Chowdhury is one of the North East’s most distinctive and influential academic voices — a figure whose work bridges science, justice and culture, while placing the region
firmly on the global innovation map.
Based at Northumbria University, Dr Chowdhury is an Assistant Professor, criminologist and criminal law barrister whose research extends far beyond traditional academic boundaries. His work focuses on forensic science, policing and emerging technologies, exploring how innovation can transform crime investigation, justice systems and public understanding.
He is internationally recognised as the inventor of the MABMAT Crime Scene Imaging Rover — a groundbreaking forensic technology that has attracted attention from leading institutions including American Bar Association and NASA. The technology has been showcased globally and is widely regarded as an example of how academic research can translate into real-world application with global relevance.
Dr Chowdhury’s influence also lies in his ability to communicate complex ideas beyond academic circles. His work has been exhibited at major UK institutions, including the National Science and Media Museum and the Science and Industry Museum, bringing forensic science and innovation into public spaces and community conversation.
Alongside his academic career, Dr Chowdhury is an award-winning filmmaker and member of the BAFTA Crew and Connect programme, with creative work screened internationally. This dual identity — scientist and storyteller — allows him to reach audiences rarely engaged by traditional research alone.
Dr Mehzeb Chowdhury’s influence is defined by range and reach. By combining academic rigour, technological innovation and cultural engagement, he exemplifies a modern North East leader — one whose work shapes global thinking while inspiring future generations at home.
Hassan Kajee: Driving digital leadership and inclusive transformation across the North East
Hassan Kajee has emerged as one of the North East’s most influential figures in health and education governance, bringing deep expertise in digital transformation, strategy and system leadership to some of the region’s most important institutions.
In February 2025, Kajee joined Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as a non-executive director, adding more than a decade of senior NHS leadership experience to the board. His appointment reflects a career defined by delivery at scale, including leadership of large, high-risk national transformation programmes such as the NHS Covid Pass service and major initiatives within the future NHS workforce programme.
A passionate advocate for digital innovation, Kajee has consistently championed the use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence to enhance patient care, improve operational efficiency and support workforce sustainability. His insight is particularly valuable at a time when the NHS is balancing rising demand with the need for smarter, more resilient systems.
Kajee’s career spans more than 25 years across the NHS, higher education and the private sector. His expertise includes strategic planning, commercial negotiation and complex organisational change, skills that have seen him operate effectively across highly regulated and fast-moving environments.
Alongside his NHS role, Kajee serves as deputy chair of the board and pro chancellor at Northumbria University, where he has played a key role in shaping institutional strategy. His contributions include supporting the development of major initiatives such as the £300 million CHASE health education and research centre, strengthening the region’s health innovation and skills pipeline.
Central to Kajee’s leadership approach is a strong commitment to organisational culture, equality, diversity and inclusion. He is widely respected for bringing independent challenge alongside constructive support, helping boards make decisions that improve outcomes for patients, staff and communities.
Based in Newcastle, Kajee’s influence extends beyond boardrooms. A football coach, inclusion adviser and active community contributor, his leadership reflects a belief that strong systems are built through both professional excellence and personal commitment.
Thank you to all our readers, who took the time to send in their nominations.
