University of Leicester celebrates double success at 2026 GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards
Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah (R) and Dr Kamlesh Khunti at the 2026 GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards (Credit: Garavi Gujurat Publications Ltd)
The University of Leicester is celebrating an evening of recognition after receiving two major honours at the prestigious GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards 2026, held on Wednesday (25 March) in London.
Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine, Dr Kamlesh Khunti, was awarded the GG2 Outstanding Achievement in Medicine Award, recognising his exceptional and sustained contribution to improving health outcomes in communities across the UK and abroad.
Dr Khunti is widely regarded as one of the country’s foremost experts in diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and his work has been instrumental in shaping national policy, advancing clinical practice and reducing health inequalities.
In a further triumph, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah was named GG2 Man of the Year. The award recognises Professor Canagarajah’s unwavering commitment to advancing inclusion and diversity in higher education.
As the first minority ethnic Vice-Chancellor at the University of Leicester, Professor Canagarajah has given voice to those who are so often overlooked and under-represented, taking meaningful actions to overcome barriers and create opportunities for others.
The GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards bring together a diverse mix of business and community leaders, academics, doctors, lawyers, sports personalities and celebrities to celebrate the achievements of diverse communities in Britain. Each year, the awards honour individuals who are breaking barriers, inspiring change, and setting new standards in leadership, innovation, and social impact.
Speaking after the ceremony, Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah said: “It is an enormous honour to receive this award, and I am humbled to be recognised among such inspirational leaders. At the University of Leicester, our mission is to empower our students, staff and partners to be true ‘Citizens of Change.’ This recognition reflects the collective dedication of our community to creating a fairer, more inclusive society, and I am proud to lead an institution that champions diversity in everything we do.”
Dr Kamlesh Khunti said: “I am immensely proud to receive this award. Improving health outcomes, particularly for communities that have been historically underserved, has been the guiding purpose of my career. This recognition reinforces the importance of our work and the ongoing need to address health inequalities. I am grateful to all my patients who have taken part in our studies, our team at the Leicester Diabetes Centre, our community networks and collaborators who share this vital mission.”
Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine, Dr Kamlesh Khunti, was awarded the GG2 Outstanding Achievement in Medicine Award, recognising his exceptional and sustained contribution to improving health outcomes in communities across the UK and abroad.
Dr Khunti is widely regarded as one of the country’s foremost experts in diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and his work has been instrumental in shaping national policy, advancing clinical practice and reducing health inequalities.
In a further triumph, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah was named GG2 Man of the Year. The award recognises Professor Canagarajah’s unwavering commitment to advancing inclusion and diversity in higher education.
As the first minority ethnic Vice-Chancellor at the University of Leicester, Professor Canagarajah has given voice to those who are so often overlooked and under-represented, taking meaningful actions to overcome barriers and create opportunities for others.
The GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards bring together a diverse mix of business and community leaders, academics, doctors, lawyers, sports personalities and celebrities to celebrate the achievements of diverse communities in Britain. Each year, the awards honour individuals who are breaking barriers, inspiring change, and setting new standards in leadership, innovation, and social impact.
Speaking after the ceremony, Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah said: “It is an enormous honour to receive this award, and I am humbled to be recognised among such inspirational leaders. At the University of Leicester, our mission is to empower our students, staff and partners to be true ‘Citizens of Change.’ This recognition reflects the collective dedication of our community to creating a fairer, more inclusive society, and I am proud to lead an institution that champions diversity in everything we do.”
Dr Kamlesh Khunti said: “I am immensely proud to receive this award. Improving health outcomes, particularly for communities that have been historically underserved, has been the guiding purpose of my career. This recognition reinforces the importance of our work and the ongoing need to address health inequalities. I am grateful to all my patients who have taken part in our studies, our team at the Leicester Diabetes Centre, our community networks and collaborators who share this vital mission.”