Judge Khatun Sapnara first ever BBPI ‘Person of the Year’

The British Bangladeshi Power and Inspiration (BBPI) 2015 has celebrated the success of 100 British Bangladeshis in the UK, with the first ever BBPI ‘Person of the Year’ going to Judge Khatun Sapnara.

She has been recognised for her outstanding achievement as the first person of British Bangladeshi origin to acquire a senior judicial position.

The exclusive event, held in Canary Wharf, London on Tuesday evening (local time), highlighted talent across 20 categories and showcased the contributions and achievements of British Bangladeshis in every walk of British life, a media communiqué issued by the organiser said.

The categories include business and enterprise, innovation, public intellectuals, media, arts and culture, celebrities, civil and public service and sport.

This year two new categories – the Critics’ Choice and Westminster Hopefuls – highlighting British Bangladeshi individuals who have been selected as prospective parliamentary candidates for the next general election, were introduced, the statement said.

The 2015 list and the BBPI Person of the Year were announced by the chief guest of the event, William Hague MP and former British foreign secretary.

The objective of the initiative, according to the organiser, is to acknowledge and celebrate the hard work and efforts of the pioneers, leaders and role models that are changing society’s perceptions of the community and helping shape Britain for the better with their ideas, example, talent and success.

Two British Bangladeshis Abdal Ullah and Ayesha Qureshi founded the initiative with the publication of the first list of the 100 most influential and inspirational British Bangladeshis in January 2012.

Abdal has extensive experience of working with London’s strategic bodies and communities while Ayesha is a lawyer with a leading international law firm.

“I am delighted to be here recognising and celebrating the contribution of the British Bangladeshi community to every walk of British life including business, technology and public life. British Bangladeshis are very much part of the tapestry that makes up the British success story,” Hague said about the initiative.

Labour party MP Dame Tessa Jowell, who also attended the event, said of BBPI: “I am incredibly proud to be a friend and staunch supporter of BBPI and all that it has achieved.

“All credit to Abdal and Ayesha for taking on this important project which highlights role models and inspirations in the British Bangladeshi community at a time when we need to do more to celebrate and recognise that our diversity in London and the UK is what makes us strong as a nation.”

The two founders said they were delighted at the success of the BBPI and congratulated Judge Sapnara and all those who were included in ‘100 BBPI names on the 2015 list.’

Chair of the BBPI Judging Panel Iqbal Wahhab said, “BBPI is an incredible project of which I am very proud to be a part of.

“I am particularly delighted to see a female winner of the new Person of the Year and also that so many incredible British Bangladeshi women are recognised and celebrated on this year’s list.

“We need to see more women from our communities build careers, succeed and act as role models for more to follow suit,” he added.

The BBPI became a “highlight event” of the British Bangladeshi community by providing incredible role models for the next generation of leaders and influencers from among British Bangladeshi community, said Syed Nahas Pasha, a member of the 2015 BBPI Judging Panel.

“The judging gets harder every year with so much boundless talent in the community. We are delighted to be finding so much undiscovered talent,” he observed.