India CSR News Network
LONDON: Natasha Mudhar, CEO and MD of the award winning UK and India based international business and brand consultancy Sterling Group, was presented the prestigious People’s Choice Award at the 7th annual The Sikh Awards 2016 on Saturday, 20th November 2016 at Park Plaza Hotel, London.
The Sikh Awards recognises the pivotal contributions made by the Sikh community across a variety of fields, from business, charity, education, entertainment, professional services, seva (selfless service), and sport, with winners selected across the globe from Asia, USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. In previous years, very high profile individuals have been award recipients including former UK Prime Minister David Cameron for his contribution to the British Sikh community. The coveted accolade, chosen by the community through the online voting process, recognises an individual who has had a positive impact on people’s lives and has great admiration from others.
Sterling was launched in 1995 by Sikh property-film entrepreneur Teji Singh, arguably the first Sikh to set up an international communications agency in the UK. The company represents countries, corporates, celebrities, charities, global thought leaders, governments and is renowned for its unique expertise in convening governments, corporates, talent and media to create value for its clients.
Whether she is listing companies on the London Stock Exchange or brokering relations between government leaders, in the last 10 years, Natasha has spearheaded the company’s global strategy.
Campaigns have included being appointed by President Barack Obama’s office to direct the launch of the GODAN Summit 2016 to end hunger, investor relations strategies to launch a $9 trillion bauxite project in New Guinea, launching iconic brands like Aston Martin in India and Harrods in the Middle East, and representing Hollywood stars such as Al Pacino and Salma Hayek to Bollywood talent such as Akshay Kumar and The Bachchans.
Natasha was brought in to manage the international campaign for Richard Curtis’s organisation “Project Everyone” which aims to popularise the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty by 2030. Natasha works closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office to direct the project’s India strategy. A strong crusader for female empowerment, she strategized the global launch of the Victoria Beckham endorsed short film promoting girls and women rights #WhatIReallyReallyWant which broke the internet with over 150million views.
Natasha was also appointed the India and Africa Director of the Jamie Oliver Food Foundation, to address the double nutrition burden affecting children in developing nations.
Natasha’s People’s Choice Award follows her successful win at the Asian Media Awards in October this year, where she was awarded Creative Media Award for the viral #WhatIReallyReallyWant campaign. On being recognised for the award last night, Natasha Mudhar said: “I am humbled to be here, amidst the most extraordinary personalities of our generation, who have each shown us that the power of grit, determination and steely resolve can change the world. Through my various campaigns, I have had the opportunity to experience first-hand the power of communication to instigate change. I take with me tonight, along with this award, the audacity of hope. Hope from our generation, and inspiration for our future.”
The Sikh Awards, was founded by the successful entrepreneur, Navdeep Singh. Speaking about the event and on Natasha Mudhar’s award, Navdeep Singh says: “The Sikh Awards is now in its seventh glorious year. Our purpose with the awards is to recognize, Honour and celebrate the enormous achievements of the Sikh community who continue to contribute immensely to the social, cultural, and economic fabric of societies globally, as well as making a difference to people’s lives through philanthropy.
Natasha Mudhar’s extraordinary work spans across consulting, communications and marketing for some of the world’s biggest governments, causes and labels; at such a young age, she has become an inspirational member both within the Sikh community here in the UK, and across her industry across the globe. The People’s Choice Award is a recognition the community holds for her.”
Speaking about The Sikh Awards, The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Ms Theresa May, sent the following message: “I am delighted to send my very best wishes to everyone at this year’s Annual World Sikh Awards. Over half a million British Sikhs make an immense contribution to our country in so many ways. Whether it’s in the fields of enterprise or skills or whether it’s the way hard working families who are doing the right thing and getting on in life – Britain’s Sikhs are a success story and model community that is doing great things for our nation.
World Sikh Awards do a fantastic job of honouring those with exceptional entrepreneurial achievements – people of whom our country can be truly proud of. I would like to take this opportunity to once again to thank the World Sikh Awards for everything you have done and continue to do. So to everyone taking part in these awards I wish you the very best tonight and for the future.”
Sadiq Khan, The Mayor of London also sent the organisers of The Sikh Awards the following message of support: “I would like to send my best wishes and congratulations to all the nominees and winners of The Sikh Awards.
Guru Nanak was born almost five and a half centuries ago. His ideas were revolutionary and universal. He upheld the rights of the poor and underprivileged in society, and travelled across Asia and the Arab world to preach equality for all people, regardless of caste, religion or gender.
The Sikh community continues to follow in Guru Nanak’s footsteps, be it by feeding the homeless, fighting for equal rights for all, and by working hard in all industries and professions. They are an inspiration to all Londoners.
London is an amazingly diverse city, and its communities are what make it unique. Much like Guru Nanak’s vision of the world, London is open to everyone, regardless of who they are, where they come from or what they believe in.
Thank you to the organisers of the Sikh awards for highlighting the fantastic work from the community.”
Sikhism is a religion founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and has over 26 million followers worldwide. It is ranked as the world’s fifth largest religion.
