‘Inspiring’ immigration lawyer claims Asian Business Chamber’s top prize
An immigration lawyer who has gone above and beyond to help Asian communities through targeted outreach and settlement guidance has cemented his reputation as a leading advocate, earning top honours at the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce Awards night.
Sunil Kumar Mahay, founder of Vasu Legal collected the Overall Business of the Year award, sponsored by EY, at the National Conference Centre yesterday in front of a packed audience of over 250 guests.
He also won the Outstanding Professional Services Business of the Year award.
The event was hosted by broadcaster and sports presenter Amber Sandhu.
Sunil founded Vasu Legal Services from a commitment to serving all communities, with a particular focus on accessibility and fairness for BAME communities.
After successfully incorporating Vasu Legal with Amicis Legal Services, he was able to maintain a five-star reputation and within the first month of operation in August, achieved 100 verified client reviews.
Over the past year, Sunil has supported families with visa applications, settlement and citizenship, and worked alongside employers in healthcare, hospitality and professional services to secure sponsor licences and manage compliance.
Among the key highlights are a healthcare client facing a critical staffing shortage, where Vasu Legal was able to secure and maintain a sponsor licence, allowing them to recruit skilled overseas staff and continue delivering essential services.
Another success was a complex family appeal, where Sunil helped overturn an initial refusal and kept a family together in the UK.
Vasu Legal has also actively engaged with the Asian community through workshops, and educational initiatives, providing guidance on visas, settlement, citizenship, and sponsor licence compliance.
A recent success was supporting the artists at Sucha Mela 2025, where talent visas and sponsor licences were critical. It attracted over 12,000 attendees and provided a platform for the Asian community in Wolverhampton to celebrate and share their culture with surrounding communities.
The judging panel chaired by Raj Kandola, acting deputy CEO of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, were impressed with Sunil Kumar Mahay’s strong personal connection and commitment to the Asian community, with active engagement through education, events, and partnerships.
Raj said: “On behalf of the judges, I’d like to congratulate Sunil on his remarkable achievement.
“Sunil’s professional journey is a testament to his dedication, compassion and unwavering commitment to the communities he serves.
“The judges were particularly impressed with the impact he has had through targeted outreach, education and hands-on support for families and employers navigating complex immigration challenges.
“As previous winners will know, receiving this award can act as a powerful platform for further growth, and we look forward to watching Sunil continue to develop Vasu Legal and expand his positive influence in the years ahead.”
Meanwhile, Monica Ghai handed over the ABCC President’s award to Harvir Sahota, CEO of Mahirs Experience.
Since launching in 2005, Harvir has grown the business into an award-winning brand - delivering over 150 events a year and serving tens of thousands across the UK.
His leadership has driven major milestones, including supplying more than 100,000 portions to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, expanding into wholesale supply for hotels and caterers, and developing a new QSR franchise model.
He has also introduced innovative on-campus retail concepts and launched Simply Mahirs, offering fresh, authentic dishes direct to consumers.
Committed to skills and community impact, Harvir established a culinary training academy for future hospitality professionals and leads The Mahirs Foundation, which has raised funds for a range of local charities since 2014.
Award Winners:
Outstanding Charity of the Year – Our Community Foundation
Outstanding Contribution to Diversity & Inclusion (Sponsored by South and City College Birmingham) - Freshbreeze Environmental Ltd
Outstanding Female Entrepreneur of the Year - Midland Health - Rupa Parmar
Outstanding Male Entrepreneur of the Year - Evolving Families - Dr Lucky Ganatra
Outstanding Professional Services Business of the Year - Vasu Legal Services Limited
Outstanding Small Business of the Year - HEART Career Services
Outstanding Start-Up Business of the Year - Lancers Solicitors
Outstanding Young Achiever of the Year (Sponsored by Scholars School System) – BK Networks - Belinda Kaur
Overall Business of the Year (Sponsored by EY) - Vasu Legal Services Limited
