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. 

Asif Rangoonwala is a successful entrepreneur with a diverse portfolio spanning food, property, and sports. He actively engages in philanthropy through the Rangoonwala Foundation, established by his late father, which provides vocational training, medical centers, libraries, and educational resources for marginalized communities globally. Asif manages the World Championship for Powerboat P1, the premier class of speedboat racing. He is also Chairman of South Street Asset Management, excelling in real estate operations, marketing, and bespoke student accommodation developments. Additionally, Asif holds esteemed roles in numerous organizations, including Fellow of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Chairman of the British Pakistan Foundation, and Vice Chairman of The British Asian Trust, reflecting his commitment to societal betterment. 

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 

Sohail Ali is the co-founder of Chaiwala, a leading South Asian-inspired tea and street food brand that has revolutionized the café culture. Established with a vision to celebrate traditional chai and desi street food, Chaiwala has quickly grown into a globally recognized brand, offering a unique blend of authentic flavors and modern aesthetics. 

Sohail’s entrepreneurial spirit and innovative approach have been instrumental in the brand’s rapid expansion, with locations across the UK and internationally. Focused on delivering exceptional customer experiences, he has helped Chaiwala become a cultural hub for communities worldwide. Sohail remains dedicated to promoting heritage and quality while driving the brand’s ongoing success and innovation.

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. 

Nadeem Qureshi is the visionary founder of USI Money, a leading fintech payment service provider revolutionizing the digital payment landscape. Driven by a commitment to innovation, Nadeem established USI Money to deliver secure, efficient, and user-friendly payment solutions for businesses and consumers. With deep expertise in financial technology, he has created a platform enabling seamless transactions and fostering digital transformation across industries. Nadeem is dedicated to promoting financial inclusion, leveraging cutting-edge technology to empower individuals and businesses. His leadership and strategic foresight have propelled USI Money to the forefront of the fintech space, making it a trusted partner for digital payment solutions. 

Sam Elia, co-founder of Chopstix, Europe’s largest Asian-inspired quick-serve restaurant group, has been a key figure in the UK’s leisure sector for 30 years. He pioneered the noodle bar concept in 2002 and has driven the brand’s growth and strategy over two decades. His dedication and vision have propelled Chopstix to over 100 locations, forming partnerships with Welcome Break, Applegreen, and Bourne Leisure. A true visionary, Sam combines innovative thinking with hands-on operational expertise, ensuring the brand meets the evolving demands of UK consumers. His commitment to quality and diversity continues to shape the future of quick-serve dining 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.

Shehzad Chaudhary serves as the International Trade & Investment Director (Midlands) at the UK Government’s Department for Business & Trade (DBT) UK Trade Delivery, which drives growth in UK exports and attracts inward investment across England’s Northern Powerhouse, Midlands Engine, and Southern England.

In his role, Shehzad leads export support services through a network of International Trade Advisors and oversees the DBT Midlands Investment Hub, a key driver of Foreign Direct Investment. He supports businesses with tailored guidance, partnerships, market diagnosis, trade missions, and upskilling initiatives.

With 25+ years of public and private sector experience, Shehzad is passionate about collaboration and championing the Midlands to achieve the UK’s £1 trillion export ambition by 2030.

Kafeel Khan is a self-made businessman, specialising in the food & beverage industry, franchising various global brands including Costa Coffee, Chaiiwala and Cupp bubble tea. Since the first store opening of Costa Coffee in 2005, Goldex went on to rapidly grow over the years. Along the way, Kafeel Khan was able to diversify and establish a property portfolio that continues to grow year on year. Along with this growth in business, Kafeel holds charity and community outreach very close to his heart, recently becoming a Trustee of the Shahid Afridi Foundation. Kafeel ensures that his company also follows his ethos of giving back to the community, his company works closely with both international and local charities such as Haven House Childrens Hospice.

Rizvan Khalid is the Managing Director of Euro Quality Lambs, Europe’s largest Muslim-owned lamb abattoir. A chartered accountant by profession, he is a seasoned investor specializing in halal assets, including private equity, credit, and venture capital.

Rizvan is deeply committed to community development and serves as a trustee of the Euro Quality Foundation and the Riba Free Foundation. Through these organizations, he supports initiatives that empower individuals and businesses to adopt riba-free (interest-free) financial practices, fostering ethical and sustainable growth.

With extensive experience in business and finance, Rizvan is passionate about promoting halal industry standards and values

Suleman Raza MBE is a British-Pakistani entrepreneur, restaurateur, and philanthropist recognized for his contributions to business and humanitarian causes. As founder of Spice Village, a leading UK restaurant chain, he has championed authentic Pakistani cuisine and excellence in hospitality. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his “One Million Meals” campaign earned the Points of Light Award from UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.

Honoured with the Freedom of the City of London, Suleman is also president of the Grand Sapphire Hotel, South London’s largest venue (2022), and a founding member of King Charles’s British Asian Trust. Through initiatives like “No-One-Eats-Alone,” he remains committed to societal impact.