2013 British Bangladeshi Power 100 unveiled

The British Bangladeshi Power100 advisory committee has announced the names for the BBPower100 at a press conference held at the Commonwealth Room in the House of Commons, Westminster.

The 2013 list is the second publication of the BBPower100 which is a celebration of leading British Bangladeshi figures who are helping shape Britain for the better with their ideas, example, talent and success.

Toping their categories are, amongst others, Iqbal Ahmed OBE (Chairman of the Seamark Group), Ruby Millie MBE (makeup artist), Ajmalul Hussain QC, Lutfur Rahman (first directly elected British Bangladeshi Executive Mayor), and Nina Hossain.  The list also revealed less well known and emerging faces such as Ruqsana Begum (British Kickboxing Champion), Sabirul Islam (the “Teen-Trepreneur”), Rahima Begum (founder of human rights charity Restless Beings) and Zoe Rahman (MOBO winner).

BBPower100 also recognised the incredible contribution made by British Bangladeshis to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games including names such as Akram Khan MBE (Choreographer/performer at the opening ceremony), Dr Abdul Bari (LOCOG board member), Saiman Miah (Olympic £5 coin designer), PC Sakira Suzia (Torch Security Team), Ayesha Qureshi MBE (2012 Bid member) and many more including volunteers and torch bearers.

Guests at the reception included Theresa May MP, Home Secretary,  Chuka Umunna MP (Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills), Rushanara Ali MP,  Stephen Timms MP, John Biggs AM, Tasmin Lucia Khan and Zoe Rahman.

The event was hosted by Anne Main MP (Member of Parliament for St Albans and Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Bangladesh).

The full list of BBPower100 names can be viewed at www.bbpower100.com .

Abdal Ullah, Founder of BBPower100 said: “We have been delighted by the success of BBPower100. This is a unique publication recognising the depth and breadth of British Bangladeshis. For 2013, we continue to pay tribute to those who are helping shape Britain for the better with their ideas, example, talent and success and have discovered some hidden jewels as well as celebrating the more well known personalities in the community.”

Ayesha Qureshi MBE, Editor of BBPower100 said: “We are a diverse community growing in strength and confidence. We want the BBPower100 to be used as a resource and a focus of discussion.  We hope that you will celebrate the amazing stories of the 100 but also take time to pause and reflect on how to inspire and support the next generation to achieve more.”

Iqbal Wahhab OBE, Chair of BBPower100 Judging Panel said: “The British Bangladeshi stamp over society now covers vast areas from musicians through to fashion designers and business tycoons. The fact that the judging panel had to struggle to find representation from more than one political party for the politics category of the list shows that the mainstream parties have failed to make a significant impact over this community and is something they urgently need to address.”