Christina Vaughan Lines Up For Asian Honour

London (UK), 28 APRIL 2009 - Christina Vaughan – founder of the world’s leading independent royalty free stock photography production company, Image Source – has been shortlisted for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, part of the Asian Women of Achievement awards.

The Lloyds TSB sponsored awards were set up to identify Asian women making a significant contribution to British life, across the media, business, arts, politics and voluntary sector.

Since launching the business to the international market in 1999, Image Source now trades through over 200 photo agencies in over 80 countries. Christina was also the first non-American to be voted onto the Picture Agency Counsel of America Board in 2003 and is currently serving as their Vice President.

The judging panel was chaired by Sir Nicholas Young, chief executive of the British Red Cross and this year’s shortlist includes several prominent figures from the Asian community, including Seetha Kumar, head of BBC Online, Yasmin Qureshi, a leading barrister who is set to become the first ever female Muslim MP, and Hong Kong born choreographer and producer Carolyn Choa - wife of the late Oscar-winning film-maker Anthony Minghella.

The Asian Women of Achievement Awards, whose patron is Cherie Blair, will be announced during a ceremony at the London Hilton on May 20.

Founder of the awards, Pinky Lilani OBE, said: “Over the past 10 years the awards have become a real barometer of social change. The standard of this year’s nominations has been incredible, with the shortlist demonstrating the wealth of talent in the Asian community that we are keen to support and promote.”

Christina Vaughan comments: " It's an absolute privilege and honour for me to be recognised by these Awards. Image Source has a phenomenal success story to tell and I believe part of that success comes from the marvellous opportunity that I have had in my generation as a woman growing up in a modern day Britain that celebrates diversity, mixed heritage and shared culture from Asia. I am immensely proud of this heritage and the grounding it has given to me."

The Asian Women of Achievement Awards are hosted by Real Business magazine, in association with Lloyds TSB. For information on how to enter the awards visit: http://www.awaawards.com