UK
North East Bangladeshi Awards 2025 Celebrates Excellence, Heritage, and Unity Across North East England: The North East Bangladeshi Awards (NEBA) celebrated its fourth successful edition on October 6, 2025, at The FED, Dunston, marking another milestone in honouring the outstanding achievements of the British Bangladeshi community across North East England.
What began in 2022 as a regional celebration has grown into one of the most anticipated multicultural events in the North East, celebrating individuals, businesses, and community leaders whose work enriches the region’s cultural, social, and economic fabric.
An Evening of Prestige and Purpose
The event was co-hosted by award-winning TV presenter Jeff Brown, Former Lord Mayor of Newcastle Cllr Habib Rahman, and Henna Ahmed, blending elegance, humour, and heartfelt community spirit.
Among the distinguished guests were:
- His Excellency Mohammad Jobayed Hosen, Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh (Manchester)
- His Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenants of Tyne and Wear, Major Nigel Wyrley-Birch and Susan Wear
- Mayor of Gateshead, Cllr Freda Geddes
- Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Cllr Henry Galagher
- Mayor of South Tyneside, Cllr Jay Potts
- Mayor of Berwick upon Tweed, Cllr John Robertson
- Cllr Ehtesham Haque, Sunderland’s first Bangladeshi Mayor
The ceremony brought together civic leaders, sports figures, business owners, and community representatives, including the Newcastle Eagles men’s and women’s basketball teams, members of the North East Africana and Caribbean Communities Association, and the North East Rwandan Association, highlighting the inclusive spirit of NEBA.
Recognising Excellence Across 32 Award Categories
A total of 32 awards were presented during the evening, honouring exceptional individuals and organizations across various fields — from business and education to public service, culture, and community development.
Special Recognition and Lifetime Achievement Awards:
- Late Abdul Latif, Lord of Harpole – Posthumous recognition for his legacy as the owner of Newcastle’s iconic Rupali Restaurant
- Cllr Ayrin Khan – First Bangladeshi female councillor in Berwick upon Tweed
- Syeda Chompa Begum – Founder of Al-Falaq Counselling CIC, supporting women through grief and trauma
- Nakkita Charag MStJ – Recognised as a Member of the Most Venerable Order of St John for voluntary service
- Syed Dulal – Author, lyricist, and singer
- Dr Wali Tasar Uddin MBE – Honoured for outstanding community leadership
Shuley Alam Equality Award:
- Winner: Shila Laskar — Presented in memory of late equality champion Shuley Alam, founder of CREST. A blue plaque was also unveiled in her honour.
Community and Individual Awards:
- Rising Star Award: Enayet Zaman, young boxer making waves in regional sport
- ‘Maa’ Award: Mrs Rehana Hoque, recognised as the city’s first Muslim female lifeguard
- Public Sector Recognition Award: Hassan Kajee
- Community Centre of the Year: Sunderland International Community Centre
- Bangladeshi Women in Leadership Award: Cllr Sajna Ali (Darlington)
- Bangladeshi Person of the Year: Cllr Ehtesham Haque, Sunderland’s first Muslim Bangladeshi Mayor
Business and Enterprise Awards
Entrepreneur of the Year: Mohammed Azad (Azad Group of Restaurants)
Small Business of the Year: Deshi Kitchen Sunderland
Young Entrepreneur Award: Sadia Rahman, founder of Sadia’s Desserts & Delights
Community Business Award: Newcastle Spice Exchange
Lifetime Contribution to Business: Mohammed Shahid, for decades of excellence in North East hospitality
Education, Arts, and Sports Awards
Education Excellence Award: Dr Farhana Ahmed, Newcastle University
Youth Achievement Award: Aisha Rahman, STEM outreach ambassador
Cultural Contribution Award: Syed Dulal, for promoting Bangladeshi arts in the UK
Sports Personality of the Year: Mohammed Rahman, national-level footballer representing the North East
Arts & Creativity Award: Tanzina Islam, contemporary visual artist promoting heritage and identity
Social Impact and Community Leadership Awards
Community Hero Award: Imran Ahmed, for outstanding service during the COVID-19 recovery phase
Volunteer of the Year: Shabana Khatun, for dedication to refugee support initiatives
Charity Champion Award: Helping Hands NE, for providing essential services to the vulnerable
Inspiring Youth Leader Award: Aminul Islam, founder of the Youth Mentorship Network
Social Innovation Award: GreenSteps CIC, for sustainability-focused community projects
The Heart of Britain’s Curry Heritage
A key highlight of NEBA 2025 was the celebration of the curry and catering industry, an integral part of Britain’s economy and culture. Cllr Habib Rahman entertained guests with an interactive curry-themed quiz, before announcing the winners of Restaurant and Takeaway of the Year awards.
Restaurant of the Year Winners:
- Gateshead: Jashn
- Newcastle: Day of the Raj
- South Tyneside: Namaste
- Sunderland: Mumbai Silk
- North Tyneside: Shampan
- Teesside: Sheesh Mahal
- Darlington: Babul’s
- Durham: Bay Leaf
- Northumberland: Amran’s
- Highly Recommended: Bay Leaf of Cramlington
Takeaway of the Year Winners:
- North Tyneside: Ruchita Tandoori
- Northumberland: Green Chillies
- Gateshead: Makani
- South Tyneside: Spice Hut
- Durham: Spice Venue Remastered
- Teesside: Spice Hut
- Ashington: Taj Tandoori and Balti
- Morpeth: Mya’s Spice
- Newcastle: Spice Hut
Cllr Rahman also highlighted the curry industry’s vital contributions to the UK:
- First curry house in Britain: Hindoostane Coffee House (1810), founded by Bengali entrepreneur Sake Dean Mohammed
- Number of curry restaurants: Around 12,000, employing 100,000–150,000 people
- Annual economic contribution: £4.5 billion
- Britain’s favourite cuisine: Curry remains the third most popular food, after pizza and Chinese cuisine
- First curry houses in the North: The Anglo Asian (1958) and Rupali (1977)
A Legacy of Unity, Pride, and Inspiration
Since its inception, NEBA has grown into a cornerstone of unity and pride for the British Bangladeshi population of North East England. It provides a platform for celebrating success, building bridges, and strengthening multicultural collaboration.
The 2025 NEBA Awards reaffirmed the community’s vital role in shaping a more inclusive, prosperous, and vibrant North East.
