London mayor Sadiq Khan tops Asian Power List again

London mayor Sadiq Khan, the son of a Pakistani-origin bus driver, topped the 2017 Asian Power List for the second consecutive year.

London mayor Sadiq Khan topped the 2017 Asian Power List that celebrates the achievements of influential Asians in Britain, with communities secretary Sajid Javid and international development secretary Priti Patel ranked second and third.

File photo of mayor Sadiq Khan after meeting victims of the Grenfell apartment tower fire in north Kensington, London, on June 18, 2017. (Reuters)

Now in its seventh year, the 101-member power list compiled by the Asian Media Group was announced at an event in central London on Thursday that was attended by leading figures from different fields, including politics, industry, science and sports.

Khan, the son of a Pakistani-origin bus driver, topped the rank­ing for the second consecutive year.

Film and television actor Riz Ahmed was in fourth position, with Nobel laureate and Royal Society president Venkatraman Ramakrishnan at number five.

File photo of actor Riz Ahmed during a presentation of Shooting Stars, a selection of upcoming actors, at the 62th Berlinale International Film Festival in Berlin on February 13, 2012.

Organisers said the 2017 list witnessed a new trend - a shift from the traditional male entrepreneurs and industrialists to increasing representation from politics, law, the arts, media and music.

File photo of Britain's international development secretary Priti Patel leaving Number 10, Downing Street in London on July 14, 2016.

There were 27 women among the 101 people on the list.

Damian Green, the first secretary of state and minister for the Cabinet Office, said about the list: “From the day Theresa May stood on the steps of Downing Street to make her first speech as prime minister, this government has been working to make our country one that works for everyone.

"Initiatives such as these awards truly celebrate the diversity of our country. I am delighted to be here...to congratulate some extraordinary people who are making a huge difference to the world of politics, business, media and beyond."

The Top 10 in the 2017 Power List are:

1. Sadiq Khan

2. Sajid Javid

3. Priti Patel

4. Riz Ahmed

5. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan

6. Baroness Shriti Vadera

7. Lakshmi and Aditya Mittal

8. Alok Sharma

9. SP and GP Hinduja

10. Lord Tariq Ahmad