DAREN GANGA WINS GENEROUS PHILANTHROPIST AWARDS AT 21st CENTURY ICON AWARDS 2019 IN LONDON

The winners of the 21st Century Icon Awards were unveiled on 13th September 2019 at the Rosewood London.
The 21st Century Icon Awards are global, unique, distinctive and celebrate success of the next generation by recognising dynamic entrepreneurs and successful individuals, helping them to keep growing and competing on the world stage.

Around 300 business leaders, celebrities, socialites, film stars, sports champions, thought leaders and politicians all gathered to witness the glittering, scintillating and exhilarating Awards ceremony. The Awards symbolise and embody true success and have been acclaimed internationally. The ballroom was awe inspiring with large imposing screens all part of an immaculate stage and set, the atmosphere electric and the awards were orchestrated with flair and elegance.

Over 700 Nominations were received and the Nomination Panel narrowed the Nominations to 44 Finalists. The Panel of Judges met at the London Stock Exchange on 19th August 2019 and decided on 18 winners. Finalists came from 22 countries-UK, India, USA, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Tanzania, Colombia, Russia, Turkey, Germany, France, Sri Lanka, Serbia, China, Belgium, Trinidad and Tobago, Romania, Korea, Ukraine and Ghana.

The esteemed Panel of Judges include: Rt Hon. Baroness Verma of Leicester (Member of the House of Lords), David Sayer (Vice Chairman KPMG), Hugo van Vredenburch (Chairman of Interactive Investor Former Partner and Managing Director Goldman Sachs), Ibukun Adebayo (Co-Head Emerging Markets International Markets Unit London Stock Exchange), Tom Tyler (Global Head of Sales, ELITE London Stock Exchange Group), Denise Lewis OBE (Former British Olympic Champion), Dr. Amin Jaffer (Senior Curator of Al Thani Collection & Former International Director of Asian Art at Christie’s), William Asprey (Chairman of William & Son), Nick Ogden (Founder and Chairman, ClearBank®), Stephen Ball (Global Lead Partner,KPMG), Tessy Ojo (CEO, The Diana Award).

Daren Ganga, Chairman, Daren Ganga Foundation, Trinidad and Tobago, won the Generous Philanthropist Award handed over by Rt. Hon Baroness Prashar, Member of the House of Lords. This Award was in recognition of the excellent work being done by the Daren Ganga Foundation, a non-profit organization. The Foundation’s purpose is to assist young people in Trinidad and Tobago in fulfilling their potential by offering them scholarships and other support mechanisms towards this end.

Some other winners of the 21st Century Icon Awards 2019 are:

Sonu Nigam, Indian Playback Singer, India, won the Magnificent Performing Arts Award handed over by Tarun Ghulati and Preeti Rana. Tarun is a former Deputy Chairman of a Bank and Head of HSBC’s operations for 16 countries. Preeti is an international Marketer, Creative Director, Entertainment Guru, Media Coordinator and IT Consultant.

Charlotte Crosswell, CEO, Innovate Finance, UK, won the Specialist Professional Award handed over by Anton Ruddenklau, Partner and Global Co-Leader for Fintech, KPMG.

Caroline Plumb OBE, Founder and CEO, Fluidly, UK, won the ELITE Rising Star Award handed over by Tom Tyler, Global Head of Sales, ELITE, London Stock Exchange Group.

Angelo Cardona, Peace and Disarmament Activist, Colombia, won the Inspirational Icon Award accepted by Alberto Portugheis, two time Nobel Peace Prize Nominee and Piano Maestro, and handed over by Her Excellency The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Manisha Gunasekara.
Matthew Clare, Co-Founder and Director, Arlington Energy Ltd., UK, won the Astute Finance & Investments Award handed over by Rt Hon Baroness

Sandip Verma, Member of the House of Lords.

Rachael Burford, Rugby Player and Founder, Burford Academy, UK, won the Competitive Sports Award handed over by Jacqui Agyepong, two time Olympic and Commonwealth Games Champion.

Sarah Collins, Founder and CEO, Wonderbag LLC, South Africa, won the Ardent Techie Award handed over Ibukun Adebayo.

Tarun Ghulati, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer and Preeti Rana, Founder, Chief Creative Watermelon Ltd said, “It gives us tremendous satisfaction that the Awards are internationally acclaimed with the high calibre of finalists/winners, the global leaders making up the panel of judges, the notable partners and the world-wide media coverage. The next generation of leaders and businesses are truly inspiring and we are absolutely thrilled to be a part of their journey and continued success”.

Key partners were ELITE, London Stock Exchange Group, Bentley Jack Barclay, Stefano Ricci and KPMG.
Tarun Ghulati, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer and Preeti Rana, Founder and Chief Creative Officer ” Daren Ganga truly stands out for the tremendous work he and his Foundation are doing to develop young persons. He is a cricket legend who has become a catalyst for positive change with his hands on approach and mentorship to not only scholars of the Foundation and other Academy participants, but to the wider population. We’re absolutely thrilled that the Panel of Judges selected such a worthy winner. Our heartiest congratulations to Daren”