The finalists of the 2019 Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) have been announced today, recognising the UK’s rising stars and established leaders thriving in their respective business sectors. This year’s finalists are a collection of outstanding individuals, with the winners being announced at St Paul’s Leonardo Royal Hotel, London on 3rd October 2019.
The BBBAwards provide a necessary platform for economic empowerment, it is the only premium award ceremony to shine a light on the contributions made by black business professionals to the UK economy. The BBBAwards celebrates the exceptional achievements of black business leaders, with the aim of inspiring the next generation of business game-changers.
Black British Business Awards 2019 Judging Panel. 27th une 2019 Mediacom London. Photograph by Steve Dunlop www.stevedunlop.com steve@stevedunlop.com
Melanie Eusebe, Chair and Co-Founder of the Black British Business Awards stated: “Each year the Black British Business Awards unearths such an impressive pool of talent and this year is no different. We are celebrating a stand-out range of business aptitude, from rising stars Elizabeth Uviebinene and Yomi Adegoke, authors of the empowering book ‘Slay In Your Lane: The Black Girl Bible’, Uzo Okwuosa, Designer at Frank Hornand, who’s collections have been shown at some of London’s most prestigious design and craft exhibitions and senior leader Born Barikor, sporting entrepreneur, Founder, and CEO of Our Parks”.
Black British Business Awards, Financial Services, Senior Leader Finalist, Ireti Samuel-Ogbu commented: “Diversity is more than physical attributes – it’s also about diversity of thought and perspectives. We are being more intentional by making diversity and inclusion a business priority as this drives culture and fosters a sense of belonging”.
The Daily Telegraph is the national media partner at this year’s awards ceremony for the third-year running. Major event sponsors include Baker McKenzie, Barclays, Bloomberg, Cisco, Facebook, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, MediaCom, Morgan Stanley, The Executive Leadership Council and Thomson Reuters.
In other news, 2019 marks a unique partnership between the BBBAwards, Cranfield University’s School of Management and The Network of Networks. This year, the 100 Women to Watch list have spotlighted – for the first time – fifty leading professionals from BAME backgrounds alongside the Female FTSE Board report.
This follows a long line of initiatives by the Black British Business Awards including The Middle Research Report in collaboration with EMpower and Bloomberg highlighting the barriers to the progression of BAME talent into senior executive roles; BAME in the Boardroom in collaboration with Deloitte; and The Talent Accelerator in collaboration with The Executive Leadership Council and hosted by Morgan Stanley. The Talent Accelerator is the first initiative of its kind spanning all sectors in the UK, it brings BAME talent together to develop collectively and in a way that no in-house programme can.
Black British Business Awards 2019 Judging Panel. 27th une 2019 Mediacom London. Photograph by Steve Dunlop www.stevedunlop.com steve@stevedunlop.com
The 2019 Black British Business Awards will distinguish outstanding business talent into six industry categories, which celebrate both rising stars and senior leaders. The finalists for this year’s awards are as follows:
Arts & Media Rising Star
- Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinene, Authors, SLAY IN YOUR LANE
- Christina Okorocha, Rumbi Mupindu and Ruby Aryiku, Co-Founders, VAMP Media
- Fiona Rutherford, Social Editor, Bloomberg News
Arts & Media Leader of the Year
- Colin Gillespie, Chief Strategy Officer, All Response Media
- Dorothy Koomson, Author and Journalist, Dorothy Koomson
- Sharon Watson, Artistic Director, Phoenix Dance Theatre
Consumer & Luxury Rising Star
- Jamela Acheampong, Founder and Brand Director, Kahmune
- Deborah Ajaja, Founder and Director, Baby of Colour Milestones
- Uzo Okwuosa, Designer, Frank Horn
Consumer & Luxury Leader of the Year
- Laura Battley, Company Secretary and Group General Counsel, New Look
- Aicha Mckenzie, CEO and Director, AMCK Group
- Sarah Nelson, Head of Logistics Finance, Sainsbury’s
Entrepreneur Rising Star
- Jamelia Donaldson, Founder, Treasure Tress
- Samuel Mensah, Owner and Director, Uncle Johns Bakery
- Jen Scott and Jamie Tavares, Hustle & Heels Ltd
Entrepreneur Leader of the Year
- Born Barikor, CEO and Founder, Our Parks
- Joshua Umoren and Sena Mortoo, Co-founders, Morts and More
- Hanif Kara, Design Director, AKT II and Professor in Practice of Architectural Technology, Harvard GSD
Financial Services Rising Star
- Abisola Barber, Trading Business Manager, Barclays
- Olusiji Sanya, Director, Co-Founder and CFO, Tranzfar
- Zabrina Smith, Senior VP, Market Advocacy & Innovation Research, Northern Trust
Financial Services Leader of the Year
- Sophia Aluko, Head of Service Management, Barclays
- Ireti Samuel-Ogbu, Managing Director, EMEA Head Payments & Receivables, Treasury and Trade, Citigroup
- Justin Onuekwusi, Fund Manager & Head of Retail Multi-Asset Funds, Legal & General Investment Management
Professional Services Rising Star
- Roy Appiah, Associate, Clifford Chance LLP
- Dara Kirton, Senior Management, PwC
- Macky O’Sullivan, Senior Associate, King & Spalding
Professional Services Leader of the Year
- Teresa Owusu-Adjei, Partner, PwC
- Richard Iferenta, Partner, KPMG LLP
- Darren Rosier, London Managing Partner, King & Wood Mallesons
STEM Rising Star
- Biko Agozino, Analyst, JPMorgan Chase
- Tobi Babalola, Smart Electric Vehicle Manager, Kaluza
- Kayisha Payne, Associate Scientist, AstraZeneca PLC
STEM Leader of the Year
- Gisela Abbam, Chair, British Science Association
- David Germain, Group Chief Information and Technology Officer, RSA Insurance Group
- Sharon Lee, Associate Director, Arup
This year’s judges include:
- Jo Barnett, Director of Social Enterprise, Virgin Money
- Karen Blackett OBE, Country Manager, WPP UK and Chairwoman, MediaCom UK & Ireland
- Tim Campbell MBE, Head of Client Services and Emerging Talent, Alexander Mann
- Sarah Gregory, Inclusion and Diversity Partner, Baker McKenzie
- Donna Herdsman, Business Transformation Executive
- Adrian Joseph OBE, Partner, EY Advisory
- Trevor Johnson, Director of Market Operations for Instagram, EMEA, Facebook
- Rob Knight, Managing Director, Guideline Management and Transaction Reporting, Barings
- Didier Lambert, Managing Director and Lead Portfolio Manager, Emerging Market Debt, J.P. Morgan
- Hema Marshall, General Manager, Small Business Market. Cisco
- Dora Michail, Managing Director, Commercial Growth, The Telegraph
- Oba Nsugbe QC, Head of Chambers, Pump Court Chambers
- David C. Peters, Advisory Board Director, Board Intelligence Ltd
- Ratidzo Starkey, Head of Stakeholder Relations Group, Bank of England
- Daniel Taylor MBE, Managing Director, MDC Group
- Kenneth Tharp CBE, Director, The Africa Centre
- Samantha Tross, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
- Alex C. Turner, EMEA Head of Global Data Group, Bloomberg
- Robert Wade, Head of Corporate Electronic Foreign Exchange, Goldman Sachs
- Nick Woods, Managing Director, Chief Controls Office, Barclays
BBBAwards Twitter: @TheBBBAwards – hashtag #TheBBBAwards
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