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Exclusive: When Cherie Blair met Sarah Brown

by Matthew Rock - Wednesday, 21st May 2008 - - Business comment

Exclusive: When Cherie Blair met Sarah Brown

The present and former prime minister's wife met at last night's Real Business Asian Women of Achievement awards. They were among many celebrity guests. But the real stars were the winners...

As always, the Asian Women of Achievement awards, held in association with Lloyds TSB, drew major celebrity names to present awards across nine categories. Inspirational stories of achievements across professional, public sector, business and artistic life were celebrated in the presence of many dignitaries.

One of the night's biggest surprises was the appearance of First Lady Sarah Brown, who welcomed guests and praised the achievements of "unsung" Asian women in Britain.

Later, awards' patron Cherie Booth praised founder Pinky Lilani and remarked on her ability to get a "prime minister's wife" to each awards so far.

Many eyes were, of course, on fashion icon Elizabeth Hurley, who didn't disappoint eager guests as she arrived resplendent in purple. The Daily Mail this morning wonders whether the curvy number wasn't an indication that she might be pregnant again. OK! magazine says Liz turned back the clock to her famous 1994 safety-pin dress.

Princess Badiya of Jordan, noted supporter of humanitarian causes and herself a qualified barrister, presented the Social and Humanitarian award to Bala Thakrar.

Drawing a gasp of appreciation from the audience, the world-renowned Dr Jung Chang, author of Wild Swans, made the presentation of the Arts & Culture award to celebrated choreographer Shobana Jeyasingh.

Other VIP guests included a bevvy of TV talent such as ITN's Katie Derham; the BBC's Mishal Husain, who compered the night; and Riz Lateef of London Tonight. Nina Wadia, star of EastEnders and former AWA winner, was pipped to the Arts & Culture award.

The final award of the night, the Lloyds TSB AWA award, went to operatic pioneer Wasfi Kani, the creator of Grange Park Opera. Presenting the award, Baroness Valerie Amos said: "She is a formidable entrepreneur and fund-raiser; a musical visionary; and a woman of deep compassion who uses her art for a social good."


BUSINESS NEWS >>

Dragon Peter Jones says, "Clone me!"

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - July 03, 2009 11:28am GMT

Real Business spent an eventful cab ride with Dragons' Den's tallest investor earlier this week. Here's what he had to say about the recession, James Caan, his search for Peter Jones lookalikes and, most importantly, the next series of Dragons' Den.

Businesses to run in a recession: part three

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - July 02, 2009 4:43pm GMT

Even in a recession, a good entrepreneur is always on the look-out for the next hot spot. Don’t wait around for the upturn. These are the businesses you want to be in now.

Access takes another step towards sales target

By Catherine Woods - July 02, 2009 4:33pm GMT

Access founder Alistair O’Reilly has embarked on a “brand elevation” exercise as he aims to grow turnover at his consulting and software company to £100m.

Tech entrepreneur: "The banks won't lend you an umbrella when it rains"

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - July 02, 2009 4:22pm GMT

At a roundtable hosted by Dell this morning, Real Business heard three technology entrepreneurs talk about the challenges of growing a business during the recession. People aren't the problem, they say. It's the mindset of banks and other financial institutions that needs to change if we're to come out of recession.

Government fund provides a "timely injection of capital"

By Catherine Woods - July 02, 2009 4:06pm GMT

Octopus Ventures, which invests in entrepreneurial businesses, has welcomed the governments’ proposed £1bn innovation fund, saying it will support entrepreneurialism.


BUSINESS COMMENT >>

The first Apprentice wedding!

By Catherine Woods - July 03, 2009 2:35pm GMT

Well, well, well, look who’s engaged.

Sir Alan Sugar: "You're hired!"

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - July 01, 2009 1:12pm GMT

Great piece by The Telegraph's Richard Tyler today about the confirmed appointment of Sir Alan Sugar to the post of enterprise tsar. "A tentative date of July 20th has been pencilled in for his hairiness to don the rabbit fur," he says.

Pre-stained underwear: the next big thing?

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - June 22, 2009 2:54pm GMT

That's right. "Pre-stained". Suspend your disbelief for a moment. Canadian entrepreneur Philip Watson founded Easy Tiger Corp to peddle underwear that has been - ahem - ready-soiled, shall we say. And he reckons these nasty knickers will be a surefire hit with "the dudes".

It can only be... the Friday Funnies

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - June 12, 2009 12:16pm GMT

As swine flu hits the headlines for the second time, the swine flu jokes are just pouring in! Laugh till you oink, readers.

Jokes. Jokes. Jokes.

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - June 05, 2009 12:14pm GMT

Further to popular demand, this week we're devoting a whole section of our jokes blog to our hapless prime minister, Gordon Brown.


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