Housing boss shortlisted for Asian Woman of Achievement Award

The managing director of Leicester-based Foundation Housing Association is in the running to be crowned an Asian Woman of Achievement at a prestigious ceremony in London.

Founded and chaired by Indian-born author and entrepreneur Pinky Lilani OBE, and held in association with Lloyds Banking Group, the awards champion often unsung women of Asian origin.

Cherie Blair is the long-standing patron of the awards, which have celebrated the vibrant contribution of Asian women to Britain’s multicultural society for more than a decade.

Nikki Chawda (pictured) has been shortlisted for the Public Sector Award. Nikki grew up in Leicester and is married with one son.  She has worked for a number of housing providers as well as the Audit Commission, where she was the only Asian woman inspector, leading and supporting on 47 inspections across the country.

She has been the managing director of Foundation Housing Association, part of East Midlands Housing Group, since 2006.  She has championed the provision of decent affordable homes, excellent service and added value services for Leicester’s BME communities. 

Nikki is credited with turning around the organisation, which was in supervision when it joined EMHG and has become the only two star BME specialist provider in the country.

The winners of this year’s Asian Women of Achievement Awards will be announced during a ceremony at the London Hilton on May 19.

The 2010 shortlist includes Maisy Ng, managing partner of venture capitalists, Add Partners, Bee Thakore, founder of successful engineering and business consultancy Big on Good Solutions, and Shazia Awan, CEO of fast-growing underwear brand Peachy Pink and prospective Conservative party candidate for Leigh.

Senior individuals from blue-chip companies such as NBC Universal, Microsoft UK, and ITV Central are also hoping to be honoured at the ceremony.

Nikki said: “It’s a real honour to have been shortlisted for the award; I am particularly proud that my staff team put me forward.

"It is also wonderful recognition of the important role that housing providers play in enhancing people’s quality of life, making a difference not just through providing homes, but also through our added value services, such as employment initiatives, for example. 

“I hope that my nomination will inspire other Asian women to go for it; to overcome the barriers that we often reinforce with our own perceptions.  In diverse Britain there are many opportunities; my message is ‘believe in yourself and aspire; the world is your oyster’.”

Kamel Hothi, head of niche markets at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “Asian women now occupy some of the most influential positions in business and public life whether it’s in government, the arts, media and the world of professional services.

“Through our support for the Asian community and women in business, we’re working hard to ensure that as a bank we are offering the services they need to succeed and help shape post-recession Britain.”