Judges

Amit Roy is one of the most experienced journalists to have covered the Asian community and writes an influential column in Eastern Eye. He 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, as well as the Iranian revolution. He has also written economic reports on India for the Daily Telegraph.

Kalpesh graduated with a law degree (LLB Hons) from Queen Mary University of London, and qualified as a barrister from the Inner Temple. Kalpesh is responsible for the strategy and growth of AMG operations over three countries: Britain, India and America.

Nishma Gosrani OBE is a leading voice in financial services transformation and a trusted adviser to CEOs and Boards. With over two decades at the forefront of global banking and insurance, she has guided major institutions including LSEG, Credit Suisse/UBS, HSBC and Monzo through complex transformation, cultural change, and regulatory evolution.

As a Partner at Bain & Company, Nishma is recognised for designing future-ready operating models, growth strategies and leadership blueprints that deliver measurable impact — from unlocking £40m+ efficiencies to shaping AI talent strategies and forging fintech and Big Tech partnerships. Her hallmark is combining visionary strategy with pragmatic delivery, earning her a reputation as the go-to counsel for financial services leaders navigating their biggest decisions.

Beyond consulting, Nishma co-founded Stratos, a CEO network redefining collaboration across financial services, and served on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Business Council, helping shape the UK’s economic agenda. A co-author of the HM Treasury’s Women in Finance Charter Blueprint, she is a recognised thought leader on leadership, culture and the future of banking, with features in the Financial Times and The Banker. Honoured with an OBE, Nishma embodies strategic influence, sector expertise and policy credibility.

With a career spanning more than four decades, Salim Janmohamed OBE is widely recognised for his visionary leadership, strategic foresight, and ability to build and scale high-performing organisations in the restaurant and hospitality sectors.

Under his stewardship, the Karali Group became the largest independent Burger King franchise operator in the UK before strategically exiting that portfolio to Private Equity to drive a broader multi-brand growth strategy. Today, the Group’s portfolio includes several leading brands, notably the largest Taco Bell franchise network in the UK, Crosstown Doughnuts, Côte Brasserie, and the Master Franchise for Marugame Udon UK & Ireland. Through these ventures, the Group has cemented its position as a major player in the UK’s quick-service and casual dining markets and expanded internationally through Karali North America, which owns and operates a growing portfolio of quick-service restaurants across the United States.

Beyond business, Salim has dedicated decades of voluntary service to the Ismaili and wider community, advancing community and development initiatives around the world. His leadership is anchored in integrity, purpose, and social impact. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for Charitable and Voluntary services to Faith Communities.

Shailesh has 30 years’ experience in journalism, overseeing a raft of titles, including Eastern Eye, GG2, Asian Trader, Pharmacy Business, Asian Hospitality as well as the Asian Rich List, GG2 Power List and Asian Hospitality Power List. An economics graduate, Shailesh has chronicled the Asian community in the UK and US for nearly three decades.

Vijay has been a Partner with Harold Benjamin since 2010 and took over as the firm’s Managing Partner on 1 January 2019.

Alongside the day-to-day management of the firm, he maintains a busy client portfolio, particularly specialising in property acquisitions, disposals, funding arrangements and auctions for a range of small to mid-range builders and property developers. He also advises on high-value residential and mixed-use schemes, including the redevelopment and regeneration of brownfield and greenfield sites.

Vijay has led several hotel deals, including the acquisition of both boutique hotels and more mainstream hotel brands for private investors and companies. The hotels are spread across London and the United Kingdom. The firm has been engaged in transactions with brands including Hilton, Marriott, and Accor, and his work has encompassed the full spectrum of real estate instructions, including franchise and service agreements.

He is an active deal broker and legal adviser, with many of his most entrepreneurial and influential family business clients and connections coming from the Asian community.