Andrew Yaxley, Chief Executive Officer, Booker Group, has been honoured with the Ram Solanki Editor’s Award, at the prestigious Asian Trader Awards ceremony held in London on November 5.
The award, instituted in the memory of Ramniklal Solanki CBE, founder of Asian Media Group - publishers of Asian Trader - recognises an individual who has made an outstanding and lasting contribution to the independent sector.
Parvatiben and Ramniklal Solanki
A passionate champion of the convenience channel, Yaxley started out at Mars, where he learned the nuts and bolts of the FMCG sector he came to master.
After a decade at Mars, he joined Tesco in 2001 as a category director, being put in charge of those convenience channel staples of confectionery, drinks, crisps and snacks.
He rapidly rose through the ranks proving himself to be a leader who combines commercial acumen with strategic foresight.
With stints working for the group in Eastern Europe and in various UK divisions, he rose to become CEO of Ireland, Chief Product Officer in the UK and a member of the company’s Executive Committee – before finally, in 2020, acceding to his current role where his relentless focus has been on innovation, efficiency, and above all strengthening relationships with independent retailers, who rely on the supply chain he manages to sustain their businesses.
“His impact on the sector stretches far beyond where he works, in terms of efficiency and sustainability, above all in being an essential partner for the convenience sector, offering them access to resources that help them remain competitive in a challenging marketplace,” said Kalpesh Solanki, Group Managing Editor, and Shailesh Solanki, Executive Editor, of Asian Media Group.
Trade Minister Sir Chris Bryant delivering his keynote address at Asian Trader Awards 2025
Trade Minister Sir Chris Bryant, who worked at a newsagent as a teenager, attended as the chief guest at the ceremony, which celebrated excellence in convenience retail across the UK.
Drawing on his own early experience, he spoke about the hard work and long hours that go into running a local store – a sentiment that clearly resonated with many in the audience. Now in its 36th year, the event continued its tradition of recognising outstanding achievements in the sector.
TV presenter Nikki Bedi hosted the event, which also saw 15 retailers being honoured in different categories. Jeyaseelan Thambirajah, who runs the Premier Queen Street store in Sheffield, won the top award, Asian Trader of the Year 2025.
Winners of Asian Trader Awards 2025
United Wholesale’s depot in Rainham, Essex won the Wholesale Depot of the Year award. Six new product launches from the last year, voted for by the retailers, were also feted.
The event also raised funds for Lepra, a charity that supports people affected by leprosy.
Winners List 2025
- Ram Solanki Editor’s Award: Andrew Yaxley, Chief Executive Officer, Booker Group
Product and Manufacturer Awards
- Snack Brand of the Year: Cheez-It (Kellanova)
- Soft Drinks Brand of the Year: Dr Pepper Cherry Crush Zero Sugar (CCEP)
- Confectionery Brand of the Year: Swizzels Refreshers Tropical Chew Bar (Swizzels Matlow)
- Vape and Next Generation Brand of the Year: Nordic Spirit Flavours (JTI)
- Lager, Beer and Cider Brand of the Year: Inch’s Cider (Heineken)
- Grocery Brand of the Year: McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives (pladis)
Asian Trader Awards 2025
- Responsible Retailer of the Year supported by Imperial Brands: Paul Cheema of Malcolm’s Store, Coventry
- Wholesale Depot of the Year supported by Tilda: United Wholesale Rainham, Essex
- Convenience Chain of the Year: Sajeev Gowrinathan of Budgens Tarvin in Cheshire
- Best smokeless alternatives Retailer of the year supported by VELO: Guna Sud of Premier RaceTrack, Wishaw
- Bakery Retailer of the Year supported by Warburtons: Noel Kavanagh, Kavanagh Ltd, Budgens Belsize Park, London
- Next Gen Award: Karan Patel of KP's Mini Market in Leeds
- World Food Retailer Award supported by Tropical Sun: Sajeev Bada, Asian Afro Grocery Store
- Independent Retailer of the Year supported by Booker: Girish Jeeva of Girish's Premier in Glasgow
- Food to Go Retailer of the Year supported by KP Snacks: Kopinath Kalanathan, Freshgos Londis in Doncaster
- Spirit of the Community Award supported by Mondelez International: Iwan Jones, Siop Glyndwr Costcutter, Gwynedd, Wales
- Symbol Retailer of the Year supported by Bestway: Nish Patel, Costcutter Canterbury
- Off Licence of the Year supported: Kaual Patel, Torridon Nisa Local, Lewisham
- Impulse Retailer of the Year supported by pladis: Andy Campbell, Go Local Extra, Cheadle
- Local Hero Award: Dhanji Halai, Best One, Rotherhithe
- Businesswoman of the Year supported by Philip Morris Ltd: Julie Kaur of Premier Jules, Telford
- Asian Trader of the Year: Jeyaseelan Thambirajah, Premier Queen Street, Sheffield
Asian Trader Awards 2025 ceremony held at Park Plaza London