Following its formation announcement in August 2024, the Asian Communications Network (ACN) held its formal launch last week at the iconic Cinnamon Club in London. 

Bringing together senior communications professionals, diversity advocates, and industry leaders, ACN aims to address the critical underrepresentation of British Asians in journalism, public relations, and marketing, industries that play a pivotal role in shaping the public narrative. 

This mission is particularly relevant in light of the August 2024 racial violence and riots, which were fuelled by misinformation, disinformation, and divisive rhetoric that disproportionately impacted migrant and minority communities.

A special guest at the launch, Baroness Warsi, delivered an inspiring address underscoring the importance of ACN’s mission.

She said: “The launch of the Asian Communications Network is a pivotal step towards a truly representative media landscape. By empowering British Asians within public relations, media, and marketing—fields where they have been underrepresented, ACN promotes the principles of equality that are vital for social cohesion. Initiatives like ACN are essential to countering polarisation and fostering a more inclusive society.”

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 communications landscape that better reflects the UK’s multicultural society.

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.

ACN Advisory Board Members: The esteemed Advisory Board includes:

• 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
• 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

Saqib Bhatti MP, MBE, Shadow Minister of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, expressed his support: “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, and this network will amplify diverse voices, enrich our industry, and strengthen our position on the global stage. I fully support this initiative and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our creative sector.

The ACN was founded by PR industry professionals Advita Patel, Farzana Baduel & Shayoni Lynn. Recognising the link between underrepresentation and the rise of harmful narratives—such as anti-migrant and Islamophobic rhetoric, ACN seeks to amplify minority voices to combat misinformation, challenge stereotypes, and foster understanding. 

With a focus on Connection, Collaboration, and Curiosity, ACN aims to equip British Asians in communications with the tools to contribute meaningfully to an inclusive and representative industry.

Braidr is the founding sponsor of the Asian Communications Network. Braidr is a global data and AI consulting company that combines applied data science, AI, and systems thinking to engineer organisational intelligence for businesses. It helps them maximise efficiency, perform better, and accelerate real-world advantage.