Bala Thakrar, director of the Asian Foundation for Philanthropy (AFP), has won the coveted Social and Humanitarian Award at the ninth Asian Women of Achievement Awards.

Thakrar, who is also a member of Philanthropy UK’s Advisory Board, won the award for her work in supporting disadvantaged Asian people in the UK and throughout the world.

She has championed the needs of vulnerable people for 20 years and established AFP in 2005 to connect the British Asian Diaspora to innovative social change initiatives, particularly in India.

On collecting her award Thakrar said: “I’m inspired and motivated by the amazing women who are doing such excellent work in India.”