2010 shortlist

Described as the “Lenny Bruce of female stand-up”, Shazia is a boundary-breaking comedian and writer. The first Muslim female stand-up comedian, Shazia is also the first British comedian to have performed in Pakistan- to sold-out venues and rave reviews.

Kenya-born Farah is chief executive of the UK’s biggest advertising agency, AMV. During her 20-year stint with the company, she has worked with clients ranging from Sainsbury’s and BT to Starbucks and Mercedes. Farah is also on the advisory board of Cancer Research UK.

Shazia is the founder of ladies’ underwear brand Peachy Pinky, launched in Debenhams last year. The 28-year-old entrepreneur has also created a range of anti-cellulite underwear called PeachyBody, which has an inbuilt 3D wave massager in the weave to boost circulation and help reduce cellulite.

Razia is one of the few senior women correspondents in BBC News, and is best known for the former role as arts correspondent, where her “Arthouse” blog developed a cult following. Now a special correspondent for the main BBC News bulletins, Razia covers a wide range of subjects that demonstrate her journalistic flair, for example her recent special investigation into bogus Haiti fundraising charities.

Having completed her PhD at City University’s Institute of Optometry in 2009, Zahra is currently practicing at Moorefields Eye Hospital in London. She has also recently started a research position at Anglia Ruskin University, where her research will focus on visual problems in the older population.

Monica is a consultant paediatrician and senior lecturer in Leicester, where she runs inner-city paediatric clinics for underprivileged families and offers support to abused children from the area. Monica leads the field in making improvements in health care for children as director for the National Collaborating centre for women and Children’s Health. She was recently awarded one of the first ever National Institute of Clinical Excellence fellowships.

Yasmin has been director of the Global Campaign for Microbicides since 2009, helping to prevent HIV through ethical research, effective policy and regulation, and stronger civil society engagement. Describing herself as an “HIV treatment activist”, she has worked for the International AIDS Society and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Aeronautical engineer Bee, 28, is founder of interdisciplinary engineering house Big On Good Solutions. She is a trustee at the UK Space Education Trust and the youngest member on the board of directors at the worlds’ largest space advocacy group, The Planetary Society.

Shindo joined West Midlands Police as the first Asian female officer. She has since risen to the rank of Chief Inspector and was awarded the long service and good conduct medal in December 2009. She is committed to getting more women involved with neighbourhood policing and campaigns to raise awareness about honour-related crimes and domestic violence in Britain.