2023 NOMINATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
Meet the judges
Marwa Khan
With a background in software engineering, Marwa moved into the world of an Islamic Fintech firm bringing with her several years of software development experience. Marwa spearheaded the development of Yielders’ innovative technology platform. Leading a small team, she drove the strategy and roll-out of a platform serving over 10,000 investors globally. Doing so, she has opened-up access to financial inclusion for those underserved by traditional financial products.
Marwa has also been recognised for her advocacy of the industry and a commitment to the personal and professional development of those around with numerous awards including Women in Fintech Powerlist 2017 and 2020. Her most recent, for Woman in Technology 2021 at the Muslim Women Awards, heralded her efforts to increase invisibility of Muslim women in technology. As a keen advocate of technology, Marwa is a regular speaker at schools, offers mentorship and is part of the Tech Sisters community to continually encourage women and girls to take up STEM subjects and go onto take on careers in tech.
Finally, in her new role as Head of Delivery and Agile Coach at Vesuvio Labs (Fintech Venture Builder), Marwa has shown that she is able to come into an organisation and drive fundamental change extremely quickly. To quote a colleague, “she has produced an outcome in three months that we have been trying to deliver for three years”.
Sheila Nortely
Sheila is an award-winning filmmaker who has written, produced and directed several internationally renowned projects.
Currently Sheila is currently producing the forthcoming Netflix TV series ‘Stay Close’ with RED and NETFLIX starring Cush Jumbo (The Good Fight), James Nesbitt (The Missing), Richard Armitage (The Stranger) and Sarah Parish (Bancroft)
Baroness Helen Newlove
Best-known for her role as Victims Commissioner (VC) for England and Wales from 2012-2019, Baroness Newlove championed the interests of crime victims and witnesses.
In August 2007, Helen Newlove became a crime victim, when her husband Garry, was fatally attacked by a gang on the family's doorstep. This led her to campaigning tirelessly to help crime victims and encouraging good practice in their treatment.
Sajid Varda
Sajid Varda is an Actor, Writer, Producer and Broadcaster with over 30 years’ experience in the entertainment industry. He has been cast in lead roles for both drama and comedy on primetime British Television. Sajid starred in BBC TV’s ‘Byker Grove’ as well as in shows for ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
Samiya Parves
Named as a “Top 20 Most Influential Female Founder”, the Award winning Samiya Parvez is the Co-Founder and Chief Patient Officer of Andiamo.
Samiya’s story is truly inspirational as she overcomes the unbearable loss of her disabled first born son and through that creates a service that has proven life changing for so many families.