A 'role model' from Watford is in the running for a national award for her work helping the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

Starting out selling mangoes at Wembley market, Anandana Bakshi, 31, pioneered the development and creation of the Entrepreneurship Institute at King’s College London, supporting students to build confidence, learn leadership skills and start their own businesses.

Committed to supporting young adults from all backgrounds, the Institute has students from 22 countries and prides itself on its inclusivity, accessibility and equality of opportunity.

Ana has also attracted more than 65 world-leading entrepreneurs - including Heston Blumenthal and Sir Richard Branson - to advise students and inspire them to raise their expectations.

The Institute’s first cohort of startups raised more than £1million in funding.

Ana is also on the board for Ascend, a charity based in South Oxhey, which helps educate and train people from disadvantaged backgrounds and each year, raises thousands of pounds for the charity to provide Christmas meals for the community.

Ana has been nominated for ‘Entrepreneur of Excellence’ in the prestigious national Diversity Awards, which celebrate people who inspire others through their work, through their commitment to helping others, through their infectious personalities and through adversity.

Prior to King's, Ana served as an elected Councillor and is a member of the Fabian Women's network mentoring programme.

She has previously worked in Parliament and in NGOs within the UK, as well as as a volunteer in Kenya and Rio. She has a BA in Political Science and a Master’s degree in International Development - Poverty, Conflict & Reconstruction.

Ana said: "Being nominated for this award is such an honour. I hope it’s an inspiration to people to follow their passions and know that they can succeed no matter what path they take.”

Julie Devonshire OBE, director of the Entrepreneurship Institute, said: "The Institute that Ana started will create jobs, wealth, impact and innovation for the UK and internationally. Ana is exceptionally entrepreneurial and is a role model for other entrepreneurial women and people from a minority ethnic background." 

The winners will be announced at a special gala evening in September 2017.

To vote for Ana, click here.