Anjum Khan, director of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce (ABCC), led a host of accolades for the Birmingham business community when she won national recognition in the English Asian Business Awards last night.

And Wow Zone, run by ABCC president Qasim Majid, won the Digital Business of the Year title along with several other Birmingham business people.

They included Paul Thandi, chief executive of the NEC Group, who won the Corporate Leader of the Year title, and Awan Marketing chief executive Nasir Awan picked up International Business of the Year.

Anjum (pictured) was named Woman of the Year at a ceremony at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel.

The awards were created to honour the determination, hard work and personal achievements of English Asian businessmen and businesswomen at the forefront of their industries.

Each year, the competition has become more intense as the event itself has grown into a highly respected occasion, where the best and brightest are honoured.

Paul Faulkner, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), of which the ABCC is part, said: “The two awards are a huge accolade for the whole of the ABCC and the Asian community in Birmingham.

“Anjum has been instrumental in making the ABCC the most meaningful Asian business organisation in the country and fully deserves this honour.

“The work of the ABCC is vital in a city as diverse as Birmingham and it brings together a myriad of cultures working together for the whole community.

“Congratulations also to Qasim, whose leading international digital marketing agency is based in Birmingham.”

Wow Zone undertakes a wide range of services from digital marketing, online branding, social media, and website design and Qasim and his colleagues have worked tirelessly to put them at the top of the tree.

Mr Faulkner added: “Paul and Nasir are highly deserved of their awards. Paul has led the NEC with great aplomb for several years and Nasir combines a busy business life with widespread charity work.”

Nasir started in the retail business in 1978, joining his late father.  In 1980 he set up a consumer electronics wholesale operation, becoming one of UK’s major distributors.

Awan Marketing is now one of the largest wholesalers in the UK.

The company is run by the third generation of the family operating from a 45,000 sq ft distribution centre in Hockley.  It carries over 30,000 lines, servicing a customer base of over 14,000 throughout the UK and exporting to Europe, Africa and Asia.

Nasir is a board member of Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce group, and his appointments include Chair of Trustees Inspire Education Academy at Yew Tree School, Aston.  He is also a Trustee of Euro Charity Trust; Birmingham Ethnic Education Services; and Sutton Coldfield Muslim Association.  He is also a Director of the National Asian Business Association.

He was appointed deputy lieutenant in the West Midlands in 2017 and was awarded the MBE in 2016 for services to business and international trade.

The Asian Business Chamber will celebrate diversity and inclusion at its annual dinner and awards in November.

The event - sponsored by Douglas Wright Restaurants (T/A McDonald's) and HSBC takes place at the ICC in Birmingham on Saturday 17 November.