Celebrating Excellence: The Peoples’ Awards Honours Inspiring Leaders and Changemakers

London, UK – 6th March 2025 – The prestigious Peoples’ Awards took centre stage at the historic House of Commons, bringing together a distinguished gathering to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of individuals who have shaped communities, industries, and society at large. This exceptional evening honoured those who, through their dedication and service, continue to inspire change and leave a lasting impact.

The Peoples’ Awards was founded with a steadfast mission, to recognise individuals from all walks of life who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to making a difference. Whether through civic engagement, public service, business, or the arts, the awards celebrate those who have made significant contributions on local, national, and international scales.

“In the UK, we are privileged to have a rich tradition of civic participation. Women and men alike play an integral role in political and public life, whether as elected representatives, dedicated voters, or passionate advocates within community and voluntary organisations. Their efforts strengthen our democracy and uphold the very fabric of our society.” said L. George, Director of Luminary Networks Ltd organisers of The Peoples’ Awards.

This year’s honourees included an illustrious list of political leaders, media figures, healthcare professionals, and international visionaries. Among the distinguished award recipients were:

Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP, Leader of His Majesty’s Opposition; Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, Leader of the House of Commons; Seema Malhotra MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Migration and Citizenship and Minister for Equalities; Rt Hon Kit Malthouse MP, former Secretary of State for Education; Lord Rami Ranger of Mayfair; Lord Shaun Bailey of Paddington;

In addition to celebrating national figures, The Peoples’ Awards also recognised international honourees, including Hon. Henry Okello MP, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs from Uganda, Vineet Malhotra from NewsX, and Raul Fernandes, publisher of the century-old newspaper O Heraldo.

Healthcare excellence was also in the spotlight, with KIMS Hospital being named “Hospital of the Year” and Dr. Radhika Balu, Medical Director, Harrow, NHS was honoured as “Doctor of the Year.” These awards underscore the vital role of medical professionals and institutions in shaping a healthier and more resilient society.

A hallmark of The Peoples’ Awards is its commitment to inclusivity and community engagement. This year, the event proudly partnered with London Daily.

The selection process for The Peoples’ Awards remains rigorous, with nominations gathered from the public and reviewed by an independent panel of esteemed judges. This ensures that each award recipient truly embodies the values of leadership, dedication, and service.

“As we gather tonight, we do more than celebrate achievements, we recognise the power of resilience, innovation, and unity. Leadership is not just about holding titles; it’s about inspiring change, lifting others, and leaving a legacy of progress.” added Dr Rupa Huq MP who hosted the event.

The UK’s strength lies in its diversity, and The Peoples’ Awards reflects the multicultural spirit that defines the nation. As the event concluded, attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to fostering a more united and prosperous future.

KIMS Hospital won the Hospital of the Year and the award was accepted  by the hospital’s Chairman, PremaSubaskaran, who expressed her immense pride in the recognition, stating:

“What a wonderful achievement this is for our entire team at KIMS Hospital. Winning Hospital of the Year is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of every individual who contributes to our mission of providing the highest quality healthcare. This recognition inspires us to continue raising the bar and ensuring we deliver exceptional care for all our patients.”

Recipient of the Community Award of the year Roz Carter MBE said “I feel incredibly privileged to receive this award, which I accept on behalf of a fantastic multilingual team of dedicated educationists committed to equality and diversity, as well as the international team at Silver Star, who work tirelessly for the important cause of diabetes awareness.

It was a truly special occasion to stand among fellow award winners, individuals who have made a real difference across diverse communities. Being presented the award by Seema Malhotra MP was particularly emotional, as her mother was a key member of our team.

Throughout my career in education, politics, community service, and charity work, my inspiration has always been the fight against inequality, breaking down barriers to achievement, and striving to make a meaningful impact.”

International Media Award winner Vineet Malhotra said“Receiving this award feels like reaching a long-awaited destination, a moment where years of hard work, dedication, and uncertainty have led to this glorious day. I never imagined I would be the recipient of such an honour, and knowing that it was presented so close to my father’s former office at India House makes it even more meaningful. I know he would have been incredibly proud, especially as I was born in London.

This occasion is one I will cherish for the rest of my life. The event itself was filled with remarkable achievers, peers who truly understand the journey and challenges it takes to reach this point. In today’s world, neutral journalism is becoming increasingly rare, and I take great pride in representing a field that inspires others to follow suit.

My greatest inspirations have always been my parents. They worked tirelessly to make us self-reliant and self-critical. My father’s journey, from arriving in Pakistan during the partition to forging a path in the foreign service, set an incredibly high standard for me to follow. If he were here today, I know he would have been immensely proud.”

Rt Hon Kit Malthouse who won the Backbencher of the year (Opposition) said “It was a great honour to receive such a splendid award, and I am very grateful to the organisers and judges. The evening was a splendid exhibition of commitment and dedication to public service across the UK, and I feel humbled to have been included. These awards are particularly prestigious because they don’t just recognise the great and good, they also seek to pick out ordinary people who have made an extraordinary contribution to their community and country and, for an evening, make them feel recognised and valued. Well done to everyone involved.”

Collecting the award for Community Award for Diversity and Equality Rita Patel from Operation Black Votesaid  “The Peoples’ Awards celebrate a remarkable diversity of recipients, each driven by passion, commitment, and an unwavering dedication to their field. I was deeply inspired by the resilience and humility of my fellow honourees, who have achieved so much despite significant challenges. This event serves as an important reminder of the extraordinary impact that ordinary people create every day.

To have over three decades of work recognised and appreciated in this way is truly humbling. It is undoubtedly a special occasion, one that not only honours genuine achievements but also shines a light on the dedication behind them.

At the heart of everything I do is a belief in humanity and the shared responsibility we all have to leave the world in a better state than we found it. My mother instilled this in me, and her values continue to guide my journey.”

On receiving the Lifetime Achievement in Medicine Dr Kevin Cheah said“Winning this award is an incredible honour, and I hope it serves as an inspiration for others in the medical profession, to keep pushing boundaries, striving for excellence, and making a meaningful impact. On a personal level, it is deeply fulfilling to see my lifelong commitment recognised in such a public and prestigious way.

This occasion is truly special, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds, each with immense and unparalleled contributions to society. I feel privileged to stand among them and be part of such a remarkable celebration.

My journey began with a profound personal loss, the sudden passing of my father when I was a young teenager ignited my passion to become a doctor. Fifty years ago, I arrived in London alone, with nothing but a single suitcase and a dream. This award is a testament to that journey and to the power of perseverance.”

Full list of winners from the 2025 The Peoples’ Awards. 

AwardWinner
Minister of the YearSeema Malhotra MP
Doctor of the Year (Female)Dr Radhika Balu
Community Award of the YearRoz Carter MBE
Community Award in Equality and DiversityRita Patel & Dave Weaver -Operation Black Vote
Lifetime Achievement in Equality and DiversityDr Iqbal Singh CBE
Backbencher of the Year (Opposition)Rt Hon Kit Malthouse MP
Hospital of the YearKIMS Hospital
Young Entrepreneur of the YearArjun Anand
International Media AwardVineet Malhotra
Cabinet Minister of the YearRt Hon Lucy Powell MP
Outstanding Leadership in International RelationsHon Henry Okello
Parliamentarian of the YearRt Hon Kemi Badenoch  MP
Doctor of the Year (Male)Dr Shayam Kolvekar
Opposition in the LordsLord Shaun Bailey
Peer of the YearLord Rami Ranger
Councillor of the YearCllr Ameet Jogia MBE
Lifetime Achievement in JournalismRaul Fernandes, O Heraldo
UK Media AwardRaj Baddhan
Lifetime Achievement in MedicineDr Kevin Cheah
Backbencher of the Year (Government)Dr Rupa Huq MP
Denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are beguiled and demoralized by the charms pleasure moment so blinded desire that they cannot foresee the pain and trouble.