Local Hero Awards

📢 Important Announcement: Judging Panel Update for the Local Hero Awards

At the Local Hero Awards, our commitment to integrity and excellence is paramount. Recently, we have uncovered that one of our judges did not meet these standards, compromising the trust and authenticity we hold dear. We refuse to have individuals who are dishonest and misrepresent themselves as reputable figures involved in our selection process.

In light of this, we have made the decision to remove the individual from our panel of judges.

We are thrilled to announce that H Doctorate Rani Gundhu QPM, of West Midlands Police, will be joining us as a new judge. PO Rani Gundhu QPM embodies the integrity, dedication, and honour that the Local Hero Awards stand for. Her exemplary service and commitment to the community make her a perfect fit for our esteemed panel.

We thank you for your understanding and continued support as we strive to celebrate true heroes.

Sincerely,
Local Hero Awards

Big shout out to my newest top fans! Carol Edmondson, Omar Khayam

LOCAL HERO AWARDS 2024

NEC BIRMINGHAM 📌

Saturday 24th August 2024

The Local Hero Awards is not merely an event; it's a celebration of community, a recognition of unsung heroes, and a testament to Regional Homes' dedication to fostering positive change.

The Local Hero Awards presented by:

Noreen Khan & Tommy Sandhu

•Red Carpet Event
•3 Course Meal
•Top Teir Entertainment

6pm - 1am




Tickets available Now.

www.localheroawards.com

Yes METS N TRIX :-0

We are already 60% to full capacity for
the Local Hero Awards 2024 at the NEC.

Book your tickets today!! ⬇️

www.localheroawards.com

Are you ready for the massive Local Hero Awards at the NEC?

You are to be mesmerised with a one of a kind gala like no other celebrating unsung champions.

Keep an eye here for more special announcements

The 8th and final judge announcement of
Local Hero Awards.

Andy M Edwards of TimeSmart

My first 20-years of working life were within retail, starting as a Sales Assistant, and over the years progressing to Manager, onto HR Manager, and the final nine years of corporate life as a Field Manager. I worked for companies like Iceland, Morrisons, Texaco, and my final 5 years at LloydsPharmacy, with 27 Stores, a Team of 350 and annual turnover of £35 million.

After 18 years, I, along with my colleagues, were all working 80 to 90 hours a week! Out of desperation, I completely changed the way I worked, and within a month got my hours down to about 40, and went on to have the two most successful years of my 20-year career.

Since leaping off the corporate cliff in 2010 and setting up TimeSmart, I have since been helping Business Owners, Managers and Teams do exactly what I did, to simply achieve more by doing less, and in less Time! My guiding principle is

SLOW DOWN > DO LESS > ACHIEVE MORE

It’s an incredibly busy, noisy and distracting world we currently live in, and Time & Focus are two things in short supply that we can’t ever get back – I aim to change this through Speaking, 1-2-1 Coaching, Training Workshops and Online Training Programs.

To achieve more, we have to become more. During the past 35 years I have been through various management development programs, completed my NLP Practitioner, NLP Master Practitioner, and NLP Trainers Training, attended a Professional Public Speaking training, and attended of Anthony Robbins training programs.
I have spent the past 14 years learning about the power of your network, and building this network - I truly believe we can achieve so much more success by working and collaborating with each other in real life, offline.
I am an Alumni of the NatWest Accelerator Program, completing 18 months in 2018 & 2019, and have had the privilege of being a Mentor ever since, supporting the Birmingham, Cardiff, and Milton Keynes Hubs.

We look forward to welcome you at the world famous NEC for the biggest Awards of the year celebrating unsung Heros.

Meet our 7th Judge Vanessa Omotoye.

My name is Venessa Omotoye and I have worked in the legal industry for over 10 years.

I currently specialise in Commercial/Corporate matters and I am employed at a large multinational law firm located within Birmingham City Centre.
Outside of work, I am a mother to three handsome boys (18 months, 3 years and 10 years) and have been living in the Handsworth area for just over 6 years.

I enjoy reading crime novels and black history books. I like exercising, cooking and baking with my children. I also enjoy sewing and drawing.

I am happy to be a part of the local hero awards as a judge on the panel.

Meet our 6th judge, Madison Holland
"My name is Madison Holland. I have just finished my bachelor's degree in Marine Vertebrate Zoology and will be graduating this July. Whilst in my time here at University I have been heavily involved in my local community by being a peer guide, a PADI officer and Fresher's Representative for my local Scuba Diving club and I am an ambassador for the Ocean Sciences Department. I am also an avid scuba diver, qualified up to Rescue Scuba Diver, and I love spending my time by the coast. I have always enjoyed being involved with the local community. For example, I volunteered for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham as a village team member and enjoyed being part of that community. I would be honoured to be part of the Local Hero Awards this year."

Meet our 5th judge the one and only Abid Khan
"With over two decades of experience in the insurance industry, I am honoured to present my credentials as a judge for these prestigious awards. As a co-founder of a national commercial insurance business, I have been deeply immersed in driving innovation and fostering growth within our industry.

My passion for nurturing businesses and individuals has led me to significant leadership roles. Serving as the Chair of the Institute of Directors (IoD) in Coventry and Warwickshire, I've had the privilege of guiding a vibrant community of business leaders toward success through invaluable insights and unwavering support.

In 2022, I launched the IoD British Asian Business Community, a testament to my dedication to supporting and celebrating diverse businesses. This thriving community serves as a dynamic hub for networking, learning, and development, amplifying diverse voices in our business landscape.

Additionally, my role as National Director at Pathway Group has allowed me to lead the award-winning 'Chutney and Chat' business networking forum since its establishment in 2015. This platform, boasting nearly 1000 members nationwide, has been instrumental in fostering connections among ambitious business owners and professionals.

Beyond my professional endeavours, I am deeply committed to advocating for diversity, inclusivity, and social justice as the Chair of the Equality Council UK. My mission is to create an environment where every individual is valued and empowered to succeed.

Public speaking is my passion, and I am grateful for the opportunity to engage with diverse audiences on various platforms, to share knowledge and experiences that empower others.

At the heart of my approach lies resilience and motivation. I firmly believe that challenges can be overcome, and greatness can be achieved with the right mindset. As a mentor, colleague, and advocate, I am dedicated to driving positive change and supporting the remarkable achievements of businesses in our community.
I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to recognizing and celebrating excellence in our community. Let's unite to honour achievements and inspire future success, together!"

Meet our 3rd judge MarcusWilliams,
" I am an up and coming producer based in the United Kingdom that bounces between different genres, whether that is hip hop or R&B.

In my previous years, I played football and gained an amazing opportunity to play football in the United States as I had gained a scholarship. Words can not explain how much I learned about life but also about myself in that time, one factor being that football was not my purpose. This caused me to fly back home to the United Kingdom to pursue what I love, music, and now my goals are to make music and live a comfortable, happy life. I also have an interest in high fashion and I would love to pursue a career in it but for now my hands are very much full and music will always come first, but maybe someday my name will be on the clothes that many people wear.

-Marcus"

Dr. Saroj Duggal MBE is a pioneering force in business and women's empowerment. Arriving in Birmingham from East Africa in 1968, she co-founded Crownsway Insurance Brokers with her husband, Dr. Dharam Duggal. Despite facing societal barriers, she revolutionized the industry, earning numerous awards including an MBE for her services to Asian and ethnic minority women.
Saroj's commitment to family and community is exemplary, as seen in her advocacy against domestic violence and her charitable initiatives supporting the elderly. With a vision for expansion and innovation, she continues to inspire women to embrace their potential and overcome obstacles with courage and resilience.

Meet your second judge, the one and only.....
Four time World KickBoxing Champion
Inducted into the BBC Sporting Hall of Fame
Founder of the International Freestyle Association (IFA) Kickboxing Club,
The phenomenon that is affectionately known to his fans around the world as Kash ‘The Flash’ Gill.
Kash Gills’ Incredible rise from the tough inner-city streets of Birmingham, to world fame and domination of his chosen sport, is a fascinating white knuckle journey.

His sheer determination to rise above and not be defined by his environment and tragedies that beset his early years has inspired a multitude of students, fans, and professional athletes alike. Kash trail blazed his way to Kickboxing stardom through single-minded fortitude, years of exhaustive training, sacrifice, and a fearless warrior spirit. Kash forged a path that many would follow and still follow to this day.

The first thing you notice upon meeting Kash is his sleek, lanky 6’ 3” frame coupled with a sharp sense of wit. He immediately disarms you with his mischievous sense of humour and aura of self-confidence. In the ring, Gill’s natural speed and athletic ability combined with his flashy showmanship earned him the nickname ‘The Flash’. His fights were always enthralling with displays of highly skilled technique and lightning speed attacks, a master class in competitive kickboxing, showmanship, and entertainment.

Today, Kash can be found teaching at his gym, coaching his student in the ancient art of kickboxing. His coaching skills are second to none. It is a joy to watch students training under his expert guidance, fun, fitness, discipline, and tradition all rolled into his sessions. When he is not coaching, he is tirelessly raising funds for various charities and resources for the local community with the same determination that made him World Champion. A sporting hero, role model and inspiration, a towering ambassador of Martial Arts and the disaffected youth of inner cities around the world.

This week, we are announcing our judges!

Meet your 1st judge:

Sophie Marie Bennett, a multifaceted individual, balances her roles as an entrepreneur and a devoted mother to three daughters. Widely recognized as the driving force behind Black Owned Birmingham CIC, she tirelessly advocates for the empowerment of black-owned businesses in the city. Despite leaving school without GCSEs, Sophie attained three degrees, including a Masters in Management and Entrepreneurship, fueling her entrepreneurial journey that began at 20 with the sale of virgin hair extensions

Her portfolio expanded at 24 with the establishment of a Hair Salon & Training Academy, followed by a successful stint running her own business consultancy at 27 and the launch of Black Owned Birmingham at 29. Beyond business, Sophie actively engages with her community, mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs, supporting local charities, and advocating for social justice.

As the A&R for Defenders Ent, a renowned record label, Sophie oversees the discovery and development of talented artists, contributing to global creative culture since 2001. She spearheaded The Annual Black Owned Birmingham Awards in 2022, celebrating the city's black-owned businesses. Sophie's commitments extend to serving as a school governor, advising the Birmingham Black Business Show, and founding the SHEO Chamber, a dynamic hub for female entrepreneurs. With 14 years of experience and three business degrees, Sophie brings invaluable insights to navigating the business landscape while championing diversity, supporting local enterprises, and empowering women.