NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN: 

MOST INFLUENTIAL LIST 2026

Who is making a difference in your community? Who is inspiring change, challenging barriers or quietly transforming lives? We want to hear about them.

Nominations are officially open for Asian Standard’s Most Influential List 2026, our annual celebration of South Asians making a meaningful impact across the UK.

Influence isn’t simply about status, wealth, fame or the number of followers someone has. It’s about the difference they make, the lives they touch and the positive change they inspire.

Every year, we recognise individuals whose actions, achievements and commitment deserve to be celebrated. Our lists are shaped by public nominations, alongside the outstanding contributions we observe across communities, businesses, workplaces and wider society.

Following the remarkable individuals recognised in 2025, we’re now looking for the people who have made their mark in 2026.

INFLUENCE COMES IN MANY FORMS

You don’t have to be a public figure, business leader or household name to be influential.

You might be a community champion bringing people together, an entrepreneur creating opportunities, a professional breaking barriers, a volunteer giving their time to others, or someone whose dedication to their family and home makes an extraordinary difference.

Some of the most influential people are those whose work rarely makes the headlines.

We want to recognise South Asians who have demonstrated leadership, inspired others, challenged expectations, supported their communities or made a genuine difference through their actions.

Big or small, public or private, every meaningful contribution deserves consideration.

FIVE REGIONS. MORE VOICES. MORE STORIES.

For 2026, we’re expanding our search for influential South Asians.

Alongside our established lists for Bradford, Kirklees, the North East and London, we’re introducing two new regional lists for the first time:

YORKSHIRE and MANCHESTER

This expansion gives us the opportunity to celebrate even more individuals whose work and influence deserve recognition.

WHO CAN BE NOMINATED?

We welcome nominations for individuals of South Asian heritage who have made a positive and meaningful contribution during 2026.

We’re particularly interested in people who demonstrate:

  • Community impact: Improving lives, supporting others or strengthening communities.
  • Leadership and inspiration: Motivating others, breaking barriers or creating opportunities.
  • Professional or business achievement: Making a positive difference through their work, innovation or enterprise.
  • Voluntary service and care: Giving their time, energy or expertise to support others, including unpaid caring and responsibilities within the home.
  • Positive influence: Using their voice, actions or platform to inspire meaningful change.

These are guiding principles, not restrictive categories. We recognise that influence takes many forms.

Self-nominations are welcome. You can also nominate someone whose contribution you believe deserves wider recognition.

HOW TO SUBMIT A NOMINATION

To nominate someone for Asian Standard’s Most Influential List 2026, please provide the following information.

1. Your details

  • Full name
  • Contact telephone number
  • Email address

2. Nominee’s details

  • Full name of the person being nominated
  • Their role, occupation or area of contribution, including voluntary work, unpaid caring or responsibilities within the home
  • A clear photograph of the nominee
  • The region for which they are being nominated:

Bradford

Kirklees

North East

London

Yorkshire

Manchester

3. Tell us why they deserve recognition

In no more than 1,500 words, explain why you believe this individual should feature in Asian Standard’s Most Influential List 2026.

Tell us about their achievements, contributions, influence and the difference they have made.

Where possible, include specific examples of their work, the people they have helped, the challenges they have overcome or the positive changes they have inspired.

We are interested in genuine impact, not simply titles, positions or public profiles.

WHERE TO SEND YOUR NOMINATION

All completed nominations must be submitted by email to:

influential2026@asianstandard.co.uk

Please include Most Influential 2026 Nomination in your email subject line.

Important: We know some readers have already been sharing names and suggestions with us. Thank you for your enthusiasm. However, to ensure a fair and consistent process, any nominations previously submitted informally must be resubmitted using the official criteria and email address above.

Only nominations received through the official submission email will be considered.

NOMINATIONS CLOSE: 1 JANUARY 2027

Deadline: midnight, 1 January 2027 (UK time).

Late submissions may not be considered.

HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

Information provided as part of the nomination process will be used to review nominations and contact nominators if further clarification is required.

Nomination information will be retained until 30 January 2027, after which it will be deleted in accordance with our data retention policy.

We will not share nominators’ contact details with third parties for marketing purposes.

Please ensure that any photograph or personal information submitted about a nominee is shared with appropriate permission.

WHO DESERVES TO BE ON THE LIST?

From familiar faces to the unsung heroes working tirelessly behind the scenes, we want to hear about the people shaping our communities for the better.

You know your community. You know the people making a difference. Now help us recognise them.

Nominate someone for Asian Standard’s Most Influential List 2026 today.