Monica Kalia of financial wellbeing provider Neyber was honoured with the Chairman’s Award at the launch of the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech 2018 on June 4th in London. The annual list is published by Diversity UK in association with the Ethnic Minority Foundation (EMF), KPMG and NewAsianPost.com. At the launch event, guests heard from Jacqueline de Rojas, President of techUK and Chair of Digital Leaders and took part in a Tech Showcase Q&A session featuring Echo, a healthcare platform; Trik, 3D modelling software and Kraydel a social care solution for the elderly. FinTech Leader Monica Kalia was presented with the Chairman’s Award by Dilip Joshi MBE, Chair of Diversity UK, in the presence of over 100 guests and all three previous winners of the prize.
Chairman’s Award winners
Previous Chairman’s Award winners including Dinesh Dhamija, Chairman of Copper Beech Group and previously Founder of ebookers who was recognised in 2015; Shankar Narayanan, Head of UK & Ireland for Tata Consultancy Services who received the award in 2016 and VR evangelist and surgeon Professor Shafi Ahmed, Chief Medical Officer at Medical Realities, who received the award in 2017, joined the 2018 winner Monica Kalia of financial well-being provider Neyber in celebrating the list.
Highlighting ground-breaking tech businesses
By highlighting the ground-breaking business models, apps, funding and support networks being created by Asian digital entrepreneurs, the list addresses the perceived lack of diversity in the tech sector and showcases the wealth of talent that is currently growing the British tech scene. 30% of the people featured are new to the list and at 28%, Asian women continue to be well represented across the digital and technology sectors. 25% of the list is made up of startup founders or co-founders and 34% are in the business category with more established enterprises; 18% are investors (including angel investors, accelerators, incubators and venture capitalists); and the Creative Industries stormed in at 16% of nominees with the remaining 7% made up of digital influencers and educational technology specialists. The evening also saw a panel of judges selecting the top five Asians in five categories including Business, the Creative Industries, Investors, Startups and Women.
The Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech list, NewAsianPost.com and Diversity UK are the brainchild of the digital entrepreneur Lopa Patel MBE who has long been recognised as an evangelist for STEM and the tech industries in the UK. She said, “the list showcases the diversity and vibrancy of the tech sector and a hundred of the most inspirational Asian men and women working at the forefront of Britain’s digital industries.The terms Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, Augmented & Virtual Reality (AR/VR), 3D Visualisation, Gaming and Robotics have appeared numerous times in the profiles of individuals presented in this index as a result of including the Creative Industries as a new category in this year’s list. And, I am personally delighted that women were shortlisted in all the Top 5 categories.”
Bina Mehta, KPMG Partner leading engagement with the new generation of Asians added : “Technology startups are using innovation to disrupt the business landscape in almost every sector, challenging existing business models and driving change particularly in consumer behaviour. As an important creator of wealth and jobs, the tech sector in the UK continues to lead the way above other global ecosystems as being more ethnically diverse and it is important to celebrate this fact. Innovation and diversity are a key elements KPMG’s work with the business community and it is important that we shine a spotlight on the achievements of Asian entrepreneurs and leaders in the tech sector and the vital job they do as role models to the younger generation in the UK. We are very proud to be associated with the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech and congratulate all of the outstanding individuals who have been recognised for their roles as leaders and innovators.”
About Asians in Tech
The Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech is the definitive list of Asians working in the digital and technology sectors in Britain. The aim of the list is to showcase diverse talent; from startup founders, technologists, venture capitalists and investors; to the game changers and digital influencers in business and social enterprise.
http://asiansintech.com | @asiansintech
About Diversity UK
Diversity UK is a think tank to research, advocate and promote ideas for improving diversity and inclusion in Britain. Diversity UK delivers its objectives by undertaking research and consultations, facilitating debates, hosting roundtable meetings and by publishing a monthly newsletter focusing on contemporary equality issues. In November, it also hosts the annual Paul Stephenson lecture, named after the pioneering British civil rights campaigner, on race and equality. Diversity UK is a registered charity (No: 1155189) in England & Wales.
https://diversityuk.org | @diversityuk
About The Ethnic Minority Foundation
EMF is a national registered charity created in 1999. It is an independent organisation that seeks to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice in society, and address the growing inequalities in the world system. EMF’s social justice programme has sought to tackle some of the most difficult issues facing societies today. It has worked to try and protect children from exploitation; safeguard the rights of women and other vulnerable groups; tackle poverty and seek social applications for new technologies. Currently most of its work is focused on social enterprises and providing services and opportunities to local communities.
About KPMG’s Innovative Startups Practice
KPMG’s Innovative Startups practice is dedicated to helping early stage and high-growth technology companies succeed. They do this through providing specialist advice and introductions to contacts in the startup and technology ecosystem. Their remit includes advising companies on: successfully scaling their business; understanding which tax incentives might be available; corporate structuring; expanding internationally; accessing equity and M&A transactions. Furthermore they host a range of industry and networking events for the startup community and support a number of startup accelerator programmes through coaching or mentorship.
KPMG’s Innovative Startups practice is part of KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership and subsidiary of KPMG Europe LLP which operates from 22 offices across the UK with approximately 11,500 partners and staff. KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax, and Advisory services. It operates in 155 countries and has 155,000 professionals working in member firms around the world. The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such.
https://www.kpmg.com | @kpmguk
About NewAsianPost.com
NewAsianPost.com is a news, business and entertainment website for the South Asian diaspora. With an ambition to usher in a new era of high quality citizen journalism, NewAsianPost.com focuses on the ‘untold stories and unheard voices’ of the community. It publishes the ‘Asian Power Couples Hot 100’ and ‘Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech’ lists.