Judging Panel

Sir Iqbal Sacranie has dedicated over four decades to community service, championing charitable initiatives both in the UK and internationally. His unwavering commitment stems from a noble mission to ensure that faith-based and ethnic communities receive fair and equal treatment, along with rightful recognition for their societal contributions.

Through his tireless efforts, Sir Iqbal has fostered greater understanding, inclusion, and respect for diversity, helping bridge gaps between communities. His leadership and advocacy have made a lasting impact, inspiring positive change and reinforcing the importance of equality and fairness in modern society. Sir Iqbal remains a steadfast advocate for justice and unity across all sectors.

Nohman Ahmed, one of the three brothers behind Undercover Brothers, has made a significant mark in the lifestyle fashion industry. Among their notable brands is Crep Protect, founded in 2013, which has transformed the shoe care market. With a presence in over 100 countries and annual sales exceeding 16 million units, Crep Protect has become a global phenomenon. Its award-winning marketing and content strategies have solidified its status as the world’s leading premium sneaker care brand, partnering with retail giants like JD Sports and Footlocker. Ranked the UK’s 2nd fastest-growing independent company (Sunday Times, 2019) and 7th in Europe (Financial Times, 2019), Crep Protect also holds a Guinness World Record. The group operates globally, including luxury sneaker boutiques and licenses for brands like Adidas, NBA, and New Era. 

Sultan has over 25 years of experience in financial services, with a career spanning Deloitte, Charles Schwab, Barclays, Al Rayan Bank, and most recently, Offa. Beginning as a chartered accountant, Sultan is a prominent figure in UK Islamic finance. 

As part of the founding management team at Al Rayan Bank, he helped secure Western Europe’s first Islamic banking license and served as CEO for eight years. Under his leadership, the bank transformed from a loss-making entity to a profitable institution, achieving exponential growth through a robust real estate financing strategy and building a £2 billion balance sheet. Sultan is a Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment and serves on the Islamic Finance Council UK Advisory Board.

Shelim Hussain MBE is the Managing Director of Euro Group, a prominent UK-based business specializing in food production and distribution. An inspiring entrepreneur, Shelim founded Euro Foods Group in 1991 at the age of 17, turning it into a multimillion-pound enterprise. The group supplies a wide range of high-quality products to the hospitality industry, including frozen and fresh food, spices, and seafood. Recognized for his contributions to business and the economy, Shelim was awarded an MBE in 2002. His leadership has driven Euro Group’s expansion, with operations spanning the UK, Europe, and Asia. Passionate about giving back, he supports various charitable initiatives, fostering community development and economic growth 

Rimla Akhtar OBE bridges global business and elite sport. A Guinness World Record Holder, she became the first Muslim and Asian woman on the FA Council in 2014. Recognized for her groundbreaking contributions, she was awarded an MBE in 2015 and an OBE in 2021.  With over 20 years in the sports industry across the UK, Middle East, and Asia, Rimla holds several boardroom roles. Ranked 14th in Forbes’ 2018 Most Powerful Women in Sport list and 19th in BBC Radio 4’s 2023 Women’s Power List for Sport, she has also captained Britain in futsal. As founder of the Muslim Women in Sport Network and RimJhim Consulting, Rimla champions inclusion and excellence in sport globally.

Zara Mohammed, a master’s graduate in Human Rights Law and a Training and Development Consultant, made history in February 2021 as the first female, youngest, and first Scottish Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain. Driven by a passion for community change, youth empowerment, and fostering diversity and inclusion, Zara has become a prominent voice for British Muslims. Her leadership has been highlighted across mainstream media and esteemed publications. As a keynote speaker at the G20 Interfaith Summit, she addressed critical issues impacting British Muslims. Additionally, her trailblazing work earned her a place on Vogue‘s list of the 25 most influential women in the UK. 

Saleem Sheikh, Senior Partner at GSC Solicitors LLP, is a distinguished lawyer with over 40 years of experience in international and offshore tax, arbitration, and dispute resolution. He is a trusted advisor to global private and corporate clients, delivering bespoke solutions through a holistic approach and GSC’s multidisciplinary expertise.

An LSE graduate, Saleem became Senior Partner in 2001, upholding the firm’s values of independence, excellence, and client care. Fluent in multiple languages, he is also a skilled arbitrator, philanthropist, and advisor to charities and boards. Recognised as a CityWealth Leader and 100 Power Muslim, Saleem exemplifies GSC’s “law for life” philosophy through unwavering dedication.

Deena Ataie is the Director of Heriots Patisserie, a celebrated brand with a rich heritage dating back to 1917. Since taking over the business in 2016, this first-time business owner demonstrated visionary leadership that has fuelled growth and innovation while maintaining Heriots’ commitment to quality and creativity. In 2024, Heriots expanded its production capacity to meet rising demand and introduced new product lines to maintain a competitive edge.

Deena has earned recognition as an inspiring business leader, appearing on the Islam Channel in 2023 and being nominated for Businesswoman of the Year in 2024. She was also featured on BBC Radio London in 2022, sharing her journey of scaling Heriots sustainably while embracing its culture of excellence and innovation.

Nowsad Abdul Gani is a UK property entrepreneur, philanthropist and Founder-Chairman of Ganco Assets, a London-based investment and development group. Born in Malawi, he moved to the UK in 1976 and built his career across law, finance and property. He is also widely recognised for decades of charitable leadership and community development work in the UK and internationally.