Shehneela Ahmed scoops Asian Woman of the Year 2014 award

Shehneela Ahmed with her Asian Woman of the Year 2014 award

Rochdale born Shehneela Ahmed, the world's first female Asian football agent, was the big winner at the Asian Women Awards (AWA) event last night at London's Hilton Park Lane Hotel, taking the prize for RBS British Asian Woman of the Year 2014.

The most inspiring and successful women in the UK's Asian community were celebrated at a glittering event attended by Dame Kelly Holmes, Liz Hurley, Cherie Blair and hosted by chairman Pinky Lilani OBE along with many more celebrities

Shehneela said "All of the winners are incredible women and have not only done well for themselves but also contributed to the British community which has embraced us so beautifully.

"It's wonderful that the number of nominees doubled this year and shows that the drive to have women recognised is growing rapidly."

Since it's inception in 1999, co-founder Pinky Lilani OBE, has organised The Asian Women of Achievement Award to celebrate the often unsung Asian heroines of British life. Such women make a huge contribution in fields as diverse as business, entrepreneurship and social and humanitarian work. These awards, are their moment in the spotlight.

Along with Shehneela, a teenage world street dance champion, the first deaf woman to be crowned Miss India and a consultant cardiac surgeon were among those in the running to be recognised as the most inspirational Asian women in the UK.

Cherie Blair who is patron of the awards said: "Each year I am humbled by the wealth of talent showcased at the awards and the stories of achievement across British life. The awards are a great way to celebrate the broad range of achievements of Asian women in Britain, and to encourage future successes. Winning and indeed being short-listed for one of these accolades is a valuable credential".

Shehneela has made football history by becoming the world's first female Muslim football agent for the English FA, and has already signed some of Europe’s top football players. Shehneela, who also works as a duty solicitor criminal advocate in West London, received her license from the FA in September and aims to be a role model for youngsters and an ambassador for sports in the UK.