Cherie Blair QC presenting the award of Professional of the Year to Dr Sunita Verma
Dr Sunita Verma, one of the UK’s leading cosmetic dentists, was named Professional of the Year at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards in London last night (20 May).
Sunita founded Sparkle Dental Boutique, Kew a multi award-winning private practice in west London which helps reconstruct people’s lives after trauma. Now in their 10th year, the Asian Women of Achievement Awards, held in association with Lloyds TSB, celebrate the contribution of Asian women to British life in the media, business, the arts, politics and the voluntary sector.
The judges, chaired by British Red Cross chief executive Sir Nicholas Young, said this year’s winners were some of the most impressive and inspiring individuals ever to be honoured in the programme’s 10-year history. They said Sunita was “an inspiring role model” who has achieved significant success through her “passion, commitment and risk-taking”, rather than a professional or entrepreneurial background. They also praised her as a “beacon for young girls” thanks to her “anyone can do it” attitude.
The ceremony was attended by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.
Commenting on the night, Pinky Lilani said: “Each of these 10 women is making a breathtaking contribution to British society in very different ways. What unites them is their positive representation of Asian women and their ability to act as role models for others. We congratulate every one of them and thank them sincerely for their tremendous commitment.”
Kamel Hothi, Asian markets director at Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets, said: “As entrepreneurs and executives of major global companies, this year’s winners are a huge inspiration to Asian women in business.”“This is the fifth year in which we have supported the Asian women of Achievement Awards and we’re extremely proud to be involved.
“These awards are a great way of highlighting the role models in our community and celebrating the contribution they have made to this country.
”The ceremony, compered by BBC newsreader Mishal Husain, was attended by patron Cherie Blair; Nick Clegg MP; actress Meera Syal; James Caan, entrepreneur and star of TV’s Dragon’s Den; The Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP; chairman of the judges and chief executive of the British Red Cross Sir Nicholas Young; The Rt Hon Theresa May MP; Shami Chakrarbarti, director of Liberty; Baroness Kennedy QC; Baroness Greenfield; and Caroline Spelman MP.
