Barrister and Deputy Head of International Law at No5 Chambers, Emma Edhem is the first Common Councilman of the City of London Corporation and Chairman of a Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to win the Grassroot Diplomat Business Driver Award for her leadership on driving the Turkish--British Chamber of Commerce and Industry and facilitating bilateral trade and investment.
Diplomatic consultancy Grassroot Diplomat hosted a star--studded event announcing political and diplomatic winners for the 4th Annual Grassroot Diplomat Initiative Awards at The May Fair Hotel, sponsored by Diplomatic Card Services, on 20 April 2016.
The Grassroot Diplomat Initiative Awards recognises the achievements of UK--based diplomats and politicians who are representing civilian interests at the highest level. Winners were chosen out of 60 shortlisted nominees including John Glen MP, Joanna Cherry QC MP, Jonathan Edwards MP, Ambassador of Croatia Ivan Grdesic, Deputy Dean of Diplomatic Corps HE Roy Warren Blackbeard and Swedish Ambassador HE Nicola Clase amongst the mix.
Amongst the winners were Emma Edhem CC, Chairman of the Turkish--British Chamber of Commerce and Industry Common Councilman, Rehman Chishti MP, Shadow Minister Sharon Hodgson MP, Holly Lynch MP, Jamaican High Commissioner HE Aloun Ndombet--Assamba, and Polish Ambassador HE Witld Sobkow.
Grassroot Diplomat also provided the title of ‘Honouree’ to Lord Loomba CBE for his work on recognising the rights of international widows, Karen Lumley MP for outstanding business support to local constituents, Mexican Ambassador HE Diego Gomez Pickering on the embassies varied activities during the Dual Year of Mexico, Caroline Nokes MP for standing up against unrealistic body standards for women in the fashion industry, Dominican Republic Ambassador HE Federico Cuello Camilo in making his country the third exporter of exotic vegetables in the UK, and the Embassy of Romania for outstanding support to the League of Romanian Students Abroad.
Talyn Rahman--Figueroa, founder and Executive Director of Grassroot Diplomat notes: “In four short years, we have created a powerful roster of positive role models who have proven their worth as leaders for the people. Winning an award is nothing if you can’t lead by example every day. Through the active work of our awarded government representatives, we will build legends, memories, and powerful stories that inspire others for generations.”
Emma Edhem, Common Councilman of the City of London Corporation and Chairman of the Turkish--British Chamber of Commerce and Industry, won the Grassroot Diplomat Business Driver Award for her leadership on driving the Chamber of Commerce and facilitating bilateral trade and investment. The first female Chairman of the Turkish Chamber, Ms Edhem helped it become a driving force for business expansion, and has since been approached by other countries to help raise their Chambers to optimum levels. She also founded “The Young Entrepreneurs and Professionals Platform”, and the “Young City Financiers Platform”.
Rehman Chishti MP for Gillingham and Rainham won the Grassroot Diplomat Policy Driver Award for Countering Extremist Propaganda. Since February 2015, Mr Chishti ran a high profile campaign to convince the Government and media to refer to Islamic State as “Daesh” as the terrorist organisation is neither Islamic nor a state. After several months of campaigning, the Prime Minister David Cameron publicly urged the government to fully adopt Daesh into their lexicon to help reduce public fear and paranoia against Muslims and the religion globally.
To view Emma Edhem’s profile please click here.
