Dr. Tausif Malik
The Asian Communications Network (ACN) was officially launched on November, 20th at London’s iconic Cinnamon Club, marking a significant milestone in addressing the underrepresentation of British Asians in media, public relations, and marketing. The event brought together industry leaders, diversity advocates, and communications professionals committed to fostering an inclusive and representative media landscape.
ACN is founded by Advita Patel, Farzana Baduel, and Shayoni Lynn, ACN operates on the principles of connection, collaboration, and curiosity. It aims to equip British Asians in communications with the tools to challenge stereotypes, combat misinformation, and foster understanding.
The launch featured prominent speakers, including Baroness Warsi, who delivered a stirring keynote address.
She emphasized the urgency of ACN’s mission, stating:
“The launch of the Asian Communications Network is a pivotal step toward a truly representative media landscape. By empowering British Asians within public relations, media, and marketing—fields where they have been underrepresented—ACN promotes equality and social cohesion. Initiatives like ACN are essential to countering polarization and fostering a more inclusive society.”
The Underrepresentation Challenge
ACN’s formation stems from a critical lack of diversity in communications industries. According to the Public Relations Census 2021, which surveyed 63,563 PR practitioners across England and Wales, Asian professionals make up only 5% of the industry despite comprising 9.3% of the general population. This disparity is even more striking in London, a major hub for these sectors, where ethnic minorities constitute a significantly higher percentage of the population. White practitioners make up 87% of the PR industry, compared to 81.7% of the general population, underscoring a persistent imbalance. Similar gaps in representation are found across marketing and media, limiting the diversity of perspectives that inform public discourse. ACN seeks to address this gap and promote a media and comms landscape that better reflects the UK’s multicultural society.
This imbalance is not limited to public relations. Across marketing and journalism, underrepresentation limits diverse perspectives in shaping public narratives. ACN seeks to bridge this gap by creating a platform that amplifies Asian voices and combats stereotypes.
Combating Misinformation
ACN also aims to address the harmful narratives that disproportionately affect migrant and minority communities. In the wake of the August 2024 riots, which were fueled by misinformation and divisive rhetoric, ACN is committed to promoting accurate, inclusive narratives that challenge Islamophobia and anti-migrant sentiment.
Advita Patel, co-founder of ACN, stated:
“Representation is not just about numbers; it’s about authenticity and ensuring that the stories shaping our society reflect its true diversity. ACN is here to challenge harmful narratives and empower British Asians to lead in communications.”
National Reach and Inclusivity
While headquartered in London, ACN is taking a national approach to foster inclusivity. Events have already been held in Manchester, with plans for further regional engagements across the UK. This broad reach ensures that underrepresentation is tackled comprehensively, not just in the capital.
In addition to its London presence, ACN has a national focus. Recent events have been held in Manchester, with plans for further regional engagements to ensure a truly inclusive approach that extends beyond the capital. This national reach is essential to ensuring representation and inclusivity across the UK’s communications landscape.
As the founding sponsor, Braidr plays a pivotal role in empowering the Asian Communications Network, helping to drive forward its vision of championing diversity and representation across the communications industry
Distinguished Advisory Board
ACN’s initiatives are supported by a respected Advisory Board comprising leaders from media, law, marketing, and communications, including:
- Jess Alden – Reputation Lawyer, Slateford
- Angela Balakrishnan – Communications & Public Affairs Director, ICO
- Satvir Bungar MBE – Managing Director, BDO
- Anna Dilku – Senior Creative Content Manager, Aviva
- Shalini Gupta – Head of Internal Communications, UKIMEA, Arup
- Emb Hashmi – Journalist, BBC
- Dr Leeya Hendricks – Managing Director, Hark Consultants
- Mehreen Khan – Economics Editor, The Times
- Janita Lakhanpal – Board Director – Inclusion Lead, Ketchum
- Sanjay Mistry – Group Head of Comms and Engagement (Europe), Odeon
- Nikki Sehgal – General Manager, MEFA
- Arun Sudhaman – Journalist, PR Industry Analyst
The Board provides strategic guidance to advance ACN’s mission of inclusivity and representation.
Industry and Government Support
Saqib Bhatti, MP, MBE, Shadow Minister of State for the Department of Culture, Media, and Sport, praised the initiative, saying:
“The Asian Communications Network represents a powerful addition to the UK’s creative economy, fostering diversity and innovation in media, marketing, and public relations. These sectors are essential drivers of our cultural and economic landscape. ACN will amplify diverse voices, enrich our industry, and strengthen the UK’s global standing.”
ACN’s launch was sponsored by Braidr, a global data and AI consulting firm. Braidr’s commitment to diversity aligns with ACN’s vision of championing representation across the communications sector.
