West Midlands Police Officer Wins Prestigous National Award

CHIEF Inspector Shindo Barquer of West Midlands Police has won the top award at the Asian Woman of Achievement ceremony, held in London and attended by HRH Princess Michael of Kent.

Chief Insp Barquer was nominated in the Public Sector Award category but went on to win the prestigious Chairman's Award.

She joined the police at the age of 21 and worked her way up through the ranks. In 2009 she was honoured with the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

In her current role as Operations Manager she is responsible for professional development, the local contact centre, service development and co-ordination and tasking.

She is passionate about raising awareness of honour crimes and has continued to promote awareness of the complexities of arranged marriages both locally and nationally.

Chief Insp Barquer said: "It was an honour to receive the Chairman's Award and to meet so many inspirational women from the public and private sector. I felt immensely proud to represent WMP at the national awards".

Superintendent Pete Blackburn added: "This is a significant national award which is a credit to Shin, WMP and British Policing."

Senior individuals from blue-chip companies such as NBC Universal, Microsoft UK, and ITV Central were also honoured at the awards.

Award founder Pinky Lilani said: "These awards not only celebrate the success of some of Britain's most high-profile Asian women, they also help identify the next generation of inspirational Asian talent."

The Asian Women of Achievement Awards - held in association with Lloyds Banking Group for the last six years and hosted by Real Business magazine - champion the vibrant contributions Asian women are making to British life across the media, arts, business, science, medicine and the voluntary sector.

For information on the awards, visit
www.awa.realbusiness.co.uk