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Celebrating and showcasing the extraordinary
achievement of Indians who have studied in the UK
London
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If you think you have an inspiring story for the world to know, nominate yourself for the Achievers Honours 2026.
The Achievers Honours is a prestigious gala award that celebrates Indian students and alumni who have finished their higher education in the UK, and are creating a significant impact on their profession and society at large. Criteria span various award categories, from Business & Entrepreneurship to Arts, Entertainment & Sport, Best Student Society and Lifetime Achievement amongst others. View all categories here
Different Fields. Outstanding Impact.
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The Living Bridge
Honouring trailblazers in the field of arts and sports who exemplify excellence and creativity! In the realm of arts, entertainment, and sport, we celebrate those who have built acclaimed careers in Arts, design, video, film, theatre, TV, music, bloggers, vloggers, Youtubers, content creators, etc. Alongside, we honour athletes, coaches, and Sports personalities who have set new benchmarks in their athletic journeys.
We are looking for individuals driving forward how democracy & justice are experienced and how tough societal problems are tackled together for the good of people and planet.
We are looking for leaders and innovators who have demonstrated considerable impact in starting, running or managing businesses exhibiting all of the hard work, determination, creativity and resilience required to excel in their sector.
This award recognises education agents and consultants who have gone above and beyond to support Indian students in their UK-education journey — from aspiration to graduation — through exceptional guidance, transparency, compliance, and student support. The category is model-neutral: both direct-recruiting agencies and those operating through aggregator platforms are eligible, provided they demonstrate full transparency, accountability, and adherence to the UK Agent Quality Framework (AQF) and the National Code of Ethical Practice.
Honouring outstanding lawyers, judges, and legal professionals who committed themselves to making justice accessible for all. These are the individuals whose contributions to public policy and social justice left an enduring mark on our journey toward a fairer society.
If you think you have an inspiring story for the world to know, nominate yourself for Achievers Honours 2025.
Achievers Honours is a prestigious gala award that celebrates young Indian students and alumni who have finished their higher education in the UK, and are creating a significant impact on their profession and society at large. Criteria span various award categories, from Business & Entrepreneurship to Arts, Entertainment & Sport, Best Student Society and Lifetime Achievement.
Achievers Honours is a prestigious gala award that celebrates young Indian students and alumni who have finished their higher education in the UK, and are creating a significant impact on their profession and society at large.
Achievers Honours is a prestigious gala award that celebrates young Indian students and alumni who have finished their higher education in the UK, and are creating a significant impact on their profession and society at large.
We are looking for researchers or educators whose ground-breaking work pushes the boundaries of human knowledge and technology commensurate to their career stage or advances education and excellence in education and its access.
Recognising students or alumni who have made a pathbreaking contribution in the field of media and journalism, demonstrating a commitment to democratic values, unbiased reporting and innovation.
We are keen to celebrate the commendable endeavors of registered India societies at UK universities that have undertaken India-centric initiatives, significantly contributing to the enrichment of the cultural landscape and the strengthening of the living bridge between the two nations.
Andrew Fleming has been working in India since 2017 and let UK’s Deputy High Commissions in Hyderabad, Bengaluru and, since November 2023, Kolkata. His current jurisdiction encompasses 13 states and one union territory with approximately 375 million people living in the region.
His work includes promoting business and trade between the UK and the states he works in, connecting with academic institutions interested in research and industrial partnerships and supporting a range of initiatives relating to climate change. He is passionate about making people to people connections that enhance the UK India relationship. Other work out of the office he leads in Kolkata has included projects and initiatives to support women’s empowerment, countering human-trafficking, sports diplomacy and inclusion with a particular focus on disability.
Andrew originally joined the British Civil Service in 1986 and has held a wide variety of roles in the UK and abroad. He has lived in Uganda, Ghana and Nigeria, but has worked on international policy issues in many parts of the world including South Asia visiting 118 nations to date. Aside from many years working on international migration issues, he has also advised ministers on community cohesion and faith-related policy. He observed elections in Ghana (2008) and Nigeria (2015). In his free time he describes himself as a football loving foodies with a passion for photography (he regularly shares the best results on social media).
Rittika is an education professional with over 25 years’ experience in research, teaching and education programme management. In her current role she is responsible for developing the British Council’s India Education Strategy and overseeing the planning and delivery of all British Council’s Education Programmes in India including schools, skills and higher education. She was a part of the Joint taskforce for developing the memorandum of understanding on the Mutual Recognition of Qualification between India and UK which was signed in July 2022. She also lead the delivery of British Councils flagship schools programme such as the Connecting Classrooms and International Dimension in Schools programme across India and Sri Lanka in her previous roles. She is deeply committed to supporting cross border collaboration in education and believes that greater exchange of knowledge and ideas through mobility will secure a sustainable and prosperous future not only for the UK and India but for the whole world. In October 2023, Rittika was awarded an honorary MBE for her services to UK education in India.
Rittika has a master’s in biology and was a CSIR fellow at the Bose Institute, Kolkata investigating in vivo drug clearance systems. She also taught at a girls residential school for six fulfilling years before joining the British Council in 2005.
She loves painting and doodling cartoons, reading, gardening and exploring nature whenever possible. She is based in Kolkata at her ancestral home with her husband, mother and her dog Candy.
Ruth Arnold is Executive Director External Affairs for International Education provider Study Group and a consultant to UK universities and sector bodies. Previously she worked as Director of Public Affairs at the University of Sheffield.
She is also an Advisor to the National Indian Students and Alumni Union, served on the International Working Group of the Student Futures Commission and has given evidence to Parliament on the public benefit of international education. She continues to serve on a number of national and regional higher education advisory and policy groups.
Ruth cofounded the award-winning #WeAreInternational campaign, promoting greater welcome and positive policies for international students and staff in U.K. education, retaining a close interest in the development of international education policy in the U.K. and around the world. She was the 2020 recipient of the Professional International Education ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Industry’ Award.
With over 25 years’ experience in various departments across the UK Home Office, Sharan currently serves as the National Community Engagement Lead for India and Southeast Asia, where she has built lasting relationships between the UK and Indian governments, NGOs, and community groups. Her decade-long focus on India involves advancing mutual understanding of migration challenges and recommending and supporting sustainable immigration policies. Sharan’s deep knowledge of migration dynamics, combined with her Overseas Citizen of India status, provides her with unique cultural insight into the drivers and challenges affecting Indian migration to the UK.
Recognised for her dedication to safeguarding vulnerable communities, Sharan was awarded an MBE for her role as the Border Force safeguarding lead, where she pioneered efforts to identify and support victims of forced marriage, FGM, and human trafficking. She also frequently travels to India to educate local communities on the risks of illegal migration and promote safe, legal migration routes.
Beyond her professional commitments, Sharan has served as a trustee for several UK charities, raising awareness around critical issues like female infanticide, child exploitation, and autism within Indian communities. As Chair of Governors for a local primary school, she ensures support for students and families with English as a second language, promoting equality and accessibility.
Bobby Mehta is the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement at the University of Portsmouth, where he has led the University’s global operations and plays a key role in shaping and delivering its Global Engagement Strategy. He currently oversees the Strategic Transnational Education Partnerships Office, which is responsible for expanding high-quality educational opportunities through transnational education(TNE) partnerships across the globe, all global partnership-related activities, global student mobility, and study abroad.
With over 25 years of experience in higher education, Bobby has held senior leadership roles at both the University of Portsmouth, most notably as Director of UoP Global and at the University of South Wales, where he held the roles of Head of International Business & Development, Acting Director of the International Office, and Head of Student Recruitment over 15-year period.
His expertise spans TNE, international admissions, marketing, strategic partnerships, student recruitment, business development, and civic engagement. Bobby has worked at both strategic and operational levels, helping to shape education initiatives across the UK and internationally. His collaborative approach and global outlook have enabled him to build extensive networks and partnerships worldwide.
Bobby has contributed to sector-wide development through advisory roles with organizations such as the British Council, IDP Education, and Universities Wales. He has also played a key role in the Global Wales programme (formerly the Wales International Consortium). His most significant external engagement to date was serving on the Executive Committee of the British Universities’ International Liaison Association (BUILA) for 15 years, including five years as Chair.
In addition to his university role, Bobby is an Advisory Board member for Oxford International Education Group (OIEG), a Trustee for Pompey in the Community and the Mary Rose Museum, and is a Local Governing Board member at a secondary school in Hampshire.
Anne Marie joined UKCISA in 2019 from the Association of Commonwealth Universities, where she was Director of Chevening, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s flagship global scholarship scheme.
Prior to that, she has led on a range of educational programmes and projects promoting international mobility and intercultural exchange. At Universities UK International, she developed the first government-funded UK Strategy for Outward Mobility, and established the Go International programme to build capacity and influence institutional change in UK universities to increase the proportion of UK-domiciled students with international experience. Before moving into the education sector, Anne Marie spent several years in the language services industry managing high profile accounts with multinational engineering and pharmaceutical companies.
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Virendra Sharma is a veteran British politician and the longest-serving elected official of Indian origin outside India, representing Ealing Southall in Parliament for 17 years. His public service journey, spanning nearly 50 years, began humbly as a bus conductor upon his arrival from Punjab in 1968, before advancing to study at the London School of Economics on a Trade Union Scholarship. With deep-rooted beliefs in social justice and fairness, Sharma’s political career includes 25 years as a local councillor, where he held significant positions such as Chair of Housing and Personnel and served as Mayor of Ealing.
In Parliament, Sharma has made impactful contributions through roles on the Health Select Committee and the Joint Committee on Human Rights. He has been a staunch advocate for human rights, anti-discrimination efforts, and social equity. Notably, he chairs the Indo-British All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and other APPGs, solidifying his role in enhancing India-UK relations and promoting cross-cultural dialogue. He is a Patron of NISAU UK.
Renowned for his openness and responsiveness, Sharma has been recognised as one of the top MPs in the UK. His career is marked by resilience and dedication, embodying the inspirational journey from an immigrant to an influential leader, bridging communities and championing equality and collaboration.
Jamie was appointed Director of Universities UK International (UUKi) in November 2022. Prior to taking on this role, Jamie led Universities UK’s research and innovation policy programme (2014-2017) before becoming Assistant Director for Policy Engagement at UUKi (2017-2022). Before joining Universities UK in 2010, Jamie was a research associate and ESRC research fellow at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Education and Social Research Institute.
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Sanam Arora is the Founder and Chair of NISAU, the apex body representing Indian students and alumni in the UK, and a leading voice in international education and youth policy. She serves as a Commissioner on the UK’s International Higher Education Commission and is a Governor at London Metropolitan University. Named one of the 50 most influential people in global education, Sanam bridges the worlds of policy, education, and investment strategy—advising global asset managers on strategy and transformation, while championing student welfare and India-UK collaboration. Her work has earned her numerous honours, including the prestigious PIEoneer Award for Outstanding Contribution to the HE Industry.
Kamini's research explores how organizations navigate and address societal inequality and its effect on their performance. She is the winner of several prestigious grants, including the ESRC-UKRI-ICSSR grant on strengthening UK-India trade as part of which she is studying social network inequalities among trade relationships, and women’s participation in the workforce.
Passionate about impact, Kamini has won an ESRC and King’s Culture grant to translate her research on the meaning of the workplace for women in Kashmir into artworks to engage a public audience. She also co-hosts the India Series with NISAU, a series of events with policymakers, entrepreneurs, and influential thinkers on topics of urgent relevance to India's growth and place in the world, and is a frequent speaker on these topics at various platforms including Chatham House and FCDO.
Supriya Chawla is the Country Head for Chevening Scholarships at the British High Commission in New Delhi, where she leads the UK Government’s flagship scholarship programme across India and Bhutan. With over 25 years of experience in higher education, fine arts, culture, and diplomacy, she works extensively with government, academia, industry, and civil society to promote inclusive education, leadership development, and international collaboration.
She has led and supported numerous initiatives for youth in marginalised sections, persons with disability and for empowering women in politics, STEM, and entrepreneurship, with a strong emphasis on capacity building in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. As a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, she is the Regional Champion for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office supporting zero tolerance towards bullying, harassment, and discrimination. Supriya was part of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellowship at the University of Oxford in 2019 and invited to serve briefly as the Acting British Deputy High Commissioner in Chandigarh in 2023. She is an avid reader, culture enthusiast, traveller and deeply committed to creating equitable opportunities through education.
Formerly the Global Digital Marketing Director at Study Group, Tony led teams in Singapore, Shanghai, Sydney, New York & the UK recruiting students for universities in the USA, Australia, and Europe. Before this, he established the digital marketing footprint for INTO University Partnerships. Tony was a co-founder of Global Campus, serving on the board alongside Sir Drummond Bone, Sir Anthony Smith & Sir Graeme Davies. Tony studied Digital Disruption Strategy at Oxford University and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Jacqui
Jacqui is the Director of Networks and Engagement at The PIE, where she curates strategic conversations, facilitates policy dialogues, and connects influential leaders to share insight and build trusted relationships.
She previously served as Global Programme Lead for International Student Mobility at British Council, where she led engagement with the key influencers of student choice — including agents, counsellors, pathway providers and sponsors. In 2022, she launched the UK’s Agent and Counsellor Training and Engagement Platform, a cornerstone of the UK Agent Quality Framework.
Throughout her career at the British Council, Jacqui was instrumental in establishing major sector initiatives, including Going Global (2004–2013), the British Council Alumni Awards (2013–2017), and the Study UK Campaign (2016–2019).
A strategic connector and sector leader, Jacqui is passionate about creating spaces where education leaders collaborate across borders to shape the future of international education.
Join us in celebrating the extraordinary UK-educated Indians shaping our world at the Achievers Honours Gala. By becoming a sponsor, you’ll help amplify stories of leadership, innovation, & impact that define the living bridge between India & the UK. Your support enables us to honour these changemakers, inspire future generations, & strengthen the global partnership between our two nations.
Learn how to craft a compelling Achievers Honours application that reflects your leadership, innovation, & impact. This guide explains eligibility, evaluation criteria, & what the judges look for across all categories - from Business & Entrepreneurship to Arts, Science, Social Impact, & more - helping you present your journey with clarity & confidence.