BBC News Anchor and Richmond resident Babita Sharma has been named winner of the Asian Achievers Award 2018 for her achievements in the Media, Arts and Culture.

The awards celebrate outstanding British Asian talent across the arts and media, sports, community service, the professions, uniformed services and the world of business and were hosted by Eastenders actor Nitin Ganatra and KissFM’s Neev Spencer.

Babita has been at the forefront of major breaking news stories during her extensive broadcasting career. These include the terrorist attacks in Paris, the death of Osama Bin Laden, the Arab uprisings and the death of Kim Jong Il.

As well as presenting BBC World’s 'Newsday' strand from London, Babita recently presented the BBC Four show ‘The Story Of The Corner Shop’ and ‘Supermarket Shopping Secrets’ – alongside Gregg Wallace. She was also part of the reporting team on the Rio 2016, London 2012 Olympics and the Royal Wedding.

One of her most notable and touching presentations was ‘The Story of the Corner Shop’ where she boldly speaks about Britain’s changing topography and approach towards immigration. Babita’s parents themselves were Asian shopkeepers who opened a corner shop. Babita is of Indian descent.

Receiving her award, Babita said: “I’m a corner shop kid from Reading who learnt the value of hard work from my parents who used to work long hours at the family business. I’m truly honoured to be receiving this award.”

The 2018 awards ceremony, held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, Mayfair was attended by some 800 guests including Indian-born British billionaire GP Hinduja, Deputy Mayor of London for Business, Rajesh Agrawal and an array of celebrities, entrepreneurs, MPs, industry leaders, senior professionals, titled dignitaries and members of the uniformed services.

The awards, which first launched in 2000, are well known as the premier event within the BAME community. They are hosted by Asian Business Publications Ltd., (ABPL), the owners of the 45-year-old print and online news weeklies Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar.

The Asian Achievers Awards has helped to raise £1.5million for various charities since launching. This year it is raising vital funds for Oracle Cancer – a leading charity funding research into head and neck cancer. At last night’s ceremony, £100,000 was raised through donations and an auction hosted by Jeffrey Archer. Over the past ten years, Oracle has invested over £5million in world-class research programmes discovering new and improved treatments for patients suffering from head and neck cancer.