The inaugural Nexus Commonwealth Awards were launched at a gala evening in London on 26th April 2012 - the 63rd anniversary of the 'London Declaration' which created the modern Commonwealth of 'free and equal partners'.

170 VIPs from around the Commonwealth gathered at Merchant Taylors' Hall to celebrate the role that individuals and organisations play in strengthening the Commonwealth and helping it to make a difference to people’s lives. Attendees included Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma, the Heads of many Commonwealth organisations as well as High Commissioners and eminent persons.