Aman Dhall wins British Council UK Alumni award in culture, creativity & sport

Gurugram-based entrepreneur, brand strategist, and an early-stage startup investor Aman Dhall has been awarded the Study UK British Council Alumni Award 2026 in the Culture, Creativity and Sport category for India. The awards recognise outstanding UK alumni worldwide for their leadership and impact across sectors, with winners selected from a highly competitive global pool.

This recognition celebrates Dhall’s contribution to nation-building through his varied roles over the years as a journalist, publicist, entrepreneur, sportsperson, and an angel investor, along with his influential role in shaping the startup storytelling landscape. Over the past decade, his focus has been on enabling businesses aligned with India’s long-term development priorities.

An alumnus of world’s leading sport science institution, Loughborough University (MSc Sport Management, 2011), Dhall is the Founder of CommsCredible, a Gurugram-based PR and comms-tech firm working with over 40 high-growth companies across fintech, deep tech, sports tech, manufacturing, and social impact. The firm operates across India, SE Asia, and the Middle East, supporting organisations that are building for scale and systemic impact.

Reflecting on his time in the UK, Dhall said: “Loughborough University was a transformative experience. It gave me global exposure, diverse perspectives, and the opportunity to engage with the Centre for Olympic Studies and Research. Those experiences continue to shape how I approach sport, business, and nation-building.”

On receiving the award, he highlighted Gurugram’s rise as a startup powerhouse: “These awards celebrate professionals who have honed their skills globally and are now driving innovation in India. Gurugram is a hub for bold ideas, and I hope this recognition inspires more founders to build ventures with global impact. I’m grateful to my family, especially my father, whose legacy continues through the Virendra Kumar Dhall Scholarship for Sporting Excellence, supporting Indian athletes at Loughborough University. I hope this inspires more people to build with intent and contribute to India’s growth story.”

Dhall’s journey reflects the energy and ambition of Gurugram. As a young boy, he competed at the national level in table tennis, with those early years shaping his competitive spirit. That foundation has now come full circle, taking him from local arenas to representing India at the World Masters Table Tennis Championships in Rome in 2024, with another appearance lined up in Korea in June 2026.

Dhall began his career as a financial journalist with The Economic Times, covering business and finance. He later joined Policybazaar, where he played a role in building the brand during its growth from a $100 million valuation to a multi-billion-dollar company.

Today, as an angel investor, Dhall leads the CommsCredible Venture Fund, backing startups such as BASIC Home Loan, Sugmya Finance & KhiladiPro, aligned with key national missions including Viksit Bharat 2047, Digital India, India AI Mission, Skill India, and Khelo India. His work sits at the intersection of communication, capital, and capability-building, contributing to India’s evolving innovation and sports ecosystems.

This recognition builds on Dhall’s journey, following his ‘India-UK Outstanding Achiever’ award in London last year, whose past winners include names like Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India; Adar Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute of India; Raghav Chadha, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha; Parineeti Chopra, National Award-winning actor; Aditi Chauhan, Goalkeeper, Indian Football Team.