One of Birmingham’s leading restaurateurs has become the latest winner of the Birmingham Young Professional of the Year title.
Aktar Islam, 32, chef director at Lasan restaurant, was given the title at an awards event held at the ICC in the city on Thursday night.
He won the overall title after being named winner of BYPY’s entrepreneurial category, and succeeds AECOM’s Hilary Allen as overall winner.
The award adds to a long line of accolades for Lasan and Mr Islam that includes The F Word and Great British Menu.
Rebecca Mawdsley, operations director at eNL Legal Recruitment and outgoing chair of the BYPY committee, said: “Aktar has already achieved a great deal in his career, establishing two successful restaurants while playing a key role building the city’s reputation as an international foodie capital.
"The judges were particularly impressed by his entrepreneurial talent, determination and the contribution his success has already made to the city.
"We’re looking forward to working with him as an ambassador for the city’s young business talent over the next 12 months.”
Alex Carr, associate director at Lambert Smith Hampton took the property and construction title, with Kate Onions, associate at Gateley winning the legal category and Michael Shepherd, financial planner with Clay, Rogers and Partners and manager of MDP Financial Services, taking the financial services crown.
The HR, recruitment and training category was won by Emily Ford-Halliday, associate director for design courses at Birmingham Metropolitan College while Amy Kiernan, head of marketing and communications at family-owned company The Sargeant Partnership, won the communications category.
Over 850 guests attended the awards, which were hosted by Sir Ranulph Fiennes and organised by young professionals’ networking group Birmingham Future.
Lloyds Banking Group’s regional managing director David Richardson was crowned Inspiring Leader in recognition of his dedication to developing the next generation of city talent while Anisa Haghdadi won the inaugural Aspiring Talent award – a category introduced to recognise inspirational young people who are not yet in the workplace but already making their mark on the city.
