WELCOME to the 15th annual
GG2 Power List, celebrating
Britain’s 101 most influential
South Asians.
Our list showcases the im-
mense talent that exists with-
in the South Asian communi-
ty today. It is a celebration of
success and a chronicle of the
incredible journey of immi-
grant communities in the
United Kingdom.
Compiling a list of the most
influential South Asians is a
mammoth undertaking and
the result of many months of
painstaking research, analysis
and intense debate. We con-
sulted widely and extensively
about the people both on
this list and those who
didn’t quite make it.
It is always a
difficult to task to
whittle down our
long list of ex-
ceptional high
achievers to 101.
Our team of senior
journalists and editors
spent many months debat-
ing the merits of all those who
have made final cut and in
deciding the final rankings.
There are always some very
tough choices and we aim to
refresh at least a third of those
on the list each year and show-
case up and coming talent.
The Asian community has
come a long way since we
published our first list 15
years ago. There has been a
remarkable acceleration in
politics with the last parlia-
ment producing the highest
intake of ethnic minority MPs.
Fifteen years ago, there were
15 MPs from an ethnic minor-
ity background. The last elec-
tion saw that figure rise to 99.
We have seen all four great
offices of state occupied by
politicians of Asian or black
descent. There are more peo-
ple of colour sitting on the
boards of FTSE 100 compa-
nies and progress has been
made in some public sector
organisations.
But there are clearly many
areas of British life which re-
main almost exclusively colour
free. From permanent secre-
taries, senior judges and mili-
tary top brass to editors of na-
tional newspapers and NHS
Trusts, the British landscape is
dominated by snowy white
peaks.
There is considerable talent
in all ethnic communities, but
organisations must do better
in recruiting, retaining and
nurturing this untapped tal-
ent pool.
The success of this
title illustrates our
broader and ulti-
mate purpose.
That is to en-
courage, to in-
spire and nurture
the next genera-
tion of leaders from
ethnic minority com-
munities.
Celebrating the success of
our community and inspiring
the next generation is one of
the key goals of this list, in-
spired by our dear parents
and founders of AMG, Ram-
niklal Solanki CBE and Par-
vatiben Solanki. And it is with
their blessings and guiding
principles that we continue
their legacy.
Thousands of hours have
been spent in researching, in-
terviewing and deliberating
on all 101 and we are in awe
of every single one here and
commend the achievements
which have put them here.
It only remains for us to
thank everyone involved in
the process and commend
you to read and enjoy it.
Thank you.
Kalpesh R Solanki
Shailesh R Solanki
Our panel of experts
The GG2 Power List was extensively researched and
compiled by a team of journalists, with the final
rankings adjudicated by an experienced panel...
Celebrating success
KALPESH R SOLANKI is group managing
editor of the Asian Media Group (AMG). He
graduated with a law degree (LLB Hons)
from Queen Mary College, London, and qual-
ified as a barrister from the Inner Temple.
Kalpesh is responsible for the strategy and
growth of AMG operations over three coun-
tries – America, Britain and India. He sits on
the board of the charity Pratham UK.
SHAILESH R SOLANKI is AMG’s executive
editor. He has 30 years of experience in jour-
nalism, overseeing titles, including Eastern
Eye, Garavi Gujarat, Asian Trader, Pharmacy
Bu siness, Asian Hospitality and the Asian
Rich List. He has a keen interest in diversity
and is vice chair of the think tank British Fu-
ture, an advisor to the Rare Dementia Sup-
port charity and on the board of Pratham UK.
AMIT ROY is one of the most experienced
journalists to have covered the Asian
community. He is the editor-at-large at
Eastern Eye and has also worked as a
foreign correspondent for The Daily
Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Sunday
Times and The Sunday Telegraph. Amit
has covered wars all over the world and has
written economic reports on India.
RITHIKA SIDDHARTHA edits GG2 and
Eastern Eye, the consumer titles published
by AMG. She began her journalism career in
India, working at The Asian Age newspaper
in Bangalore and New Delhi, before moving
to London. She secured exclusive inter-
views with prime ministers David Cameron
and Theresa May ahead of the 2015 and
2017 general elections, respectively.
BARNIE CHOUDHURY is an award-win-
ning journalist who worked for the BBC
for 24 years. He is currently a communica-
tions’ consultant and editor-at-large for
Eastern Eye. Barnie worked for the current
Commonwealth secretary-general as her
director of media and PR, and he was part
of the senior leadership team in several in-
stitutions. He is a professor of professional
practice at the University of Buckingham.
Power List GG2
2025 | GG2 Power List
Kalpesh (left) and Shailesh Solanki;
(inset below) Ramniklal Solanki CBE