Liverpool-born actress and television presenter Sunetra Sarker has been announced as the host of the YM Liverpool Property & Business Awards 2026.

The popular TV star will return to her home city to host the ceremony at the Titanic Hotel Liverpool on Wednesday 25 November, as leading figures from across the Liverpool City Region’s property and business sectors come together to celebrate another year of achievement.

Best known for her roles in Brookside, Casualty and Ackley Bridge, Sunetra has enjoyed a successful television career spanning almost four decades, although her journey into acting began entirely by chance.

Born and raised in Liverpool to parents who had moved to the city from Kolkata, India, she was just 15 when she was spotted at a bus stop and offered the role of Nisha Batra in Channel 4’s iconic Liverpool soap Brookside in 1988.

Despite her early success, Sunetra initially had ambitions of pursuing a career in business, once revealing that she had hoped to follow in the footsteps of entrepreneur Alan Sugar and become a computer analyst.

After leaving school, she turned down an offer to attend the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), instead continuing her acting career alongside her studies at Brunel University, where she gained a degree in Information Systems for Business.

She has since become one of British television’s most recognisable faces, playing Anji Mittel in No Angels, Dr Zoe Hanna in the BBC’s long-running medical drama Casualty, and Kaneez Paracha in Channel 4’s Ackley Bridge.

Sunetra as Wincey in BBC One’s The Hairdresser Mysteries. Credit: BBC/Mill Bay Media/Joss Barratt

Her portrayal of Kaneez earned her the Actor award at the Royal Television Society (RTS) Yorkshire Awards in 2022, while she is currently nominated in the Supporting Acting Performance category at the 2026 RTS Midlands Awards for her role as Wincey Evans in BBC drama The Hairdresser Mysteries.

Away from acting, Sunetra is a regular panellist on ITV’s Loose Women and has appeared on Celebrity Gogglebox and Strictly Come Dancing, where she competed in 2014. She has also ventured into business herself, establishing her own television production company, Etcetera Sunetra Productions.

Speaking ahead of November’s ceremony, Sunetra said: “Liverpool will always be home to me, no matter where life or work takes me. It’s the city that shaped me, gave me my first opportunities and taught me the value of hard work, humour and drive – along with the Scouse born belief to always aim high. I mean, why not?

“So I’m absolutely delighted to be coming home to host the YM Liverpool Property & Business Awards. What I love about Liverpool is that behind every successful business, every exciting new development and every big idea, there are people with their own ambition, determination and real pride for their city.

“Liverpool has never been short of big personalities or big dreams, and I can’t wait to celebrate the people turning those dreams into reality. I’m looking forward to a brilliant evening with wonderful success stories and, knowing Liverpool, a few laughs along the way!”

The YM Liverpool Property & Business Awards have been a fixture of the city region’s business calendar since 2004, celebrating the achievements of companies, developments and individuals across the property and business sectors.

This year’s ceremony will take place at Titanic Hotel Liverpool on Wednesday 25 November, with accolades presented in categories including Property Developer of the Year, Housebuilder of the Year, Apartment Development of the Year and Liverpool City Region Business of the Year.

For remaining table availability and bookings, email awards@ymliverpool.com or call 0151 316 0210

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