Asha Khemka
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Dame Asha Khemka DBE DL (born October 1951,[1] in Sitamarhi, Bihar)[2][3] is a former educator who resigned as Principal and CEO from West Nottinghamshire College in late 2018 when the college experienced financial difficulties.[4][5][6] She joined the college in 2006, succeeding Di McEvoy-Robinson.[7][8][3] Prior to her resignation in October 2018 she was one of the highest paid in the sector.[9]
Khemka was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire), presented by Elizabeth II, then The Queen, at Buckingham Palace in 2008.[10] In 2014, she was elevated to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, which was presented by Charles III, then titled Prince of Wales, again at Buckingham Palace.[11]
Khemka is the fourth woman of Indian origin to be awarded a damehood of the Order of the British Empire (DBE or GBE) since the orders were instituted in 1917, following, chronologically, Kaikhusrau Jahan, Begum of Bhopal (1917), Maharani Lakshmi Devi Bai Sahiba of Dhar State (1931), and Indira Patel (2011).[8][12]
In 2017, she was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Staffordshire, where she is a long-term resident.[13] In April 2017, she was named Asian Businesswoman of the Year at a ceremony in Birmingham.[14][15]
Other awards
- National Jewel Award for Excellence in Healthcare and Education, 2007
- Asian Women of Achievement Award, 2008
- Midlands Businesswoman of the Year, 2009
- NRI Welfare Society of India Gold medal for her work in education as a non-resident Indian, 2010
- Inspirational Woman of the Year, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, 2011
- Business Personality of the Year, Ashfield and Mansfield Chad, 2011[16][7]
- Overall Commitment to Apprenticeships (inaugural Asian Apprenticeship Awards, black and minority ethnic Asian community).[17]