These are the faces of the British black founders competing in this year’s Black British Business Awards – representing the very best black rising stars across the UK’s diverse business sector.
Now in its sixth year running, The Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) aims to celebrate and spotlight the “often unsung contributions” of black business entrepreneurs and professionals to the UK economy.
Melanie Eusebe, Chair and Co-Founder of the BBAAwards, comments that 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”, with the aim of inspiring the next generation of business game-changers.
Some of this year’s nominees includes the authors of the empowering book ‘Slay In Your Lane: The Black Girl Bible’ (Elizabeth Uviebinene and Yomi Adegoke), Uzo Okwuosa, Designer at Frank Horn, whose collections have been shown at some of London’s most prestigious design and craft exhibitions and Born Barikor, Founder, and CEO of Our Parks – an initiative that works together with local councils to give free access to exercise in parks within local communities across the capital.
The winners will be announced during a ceremony at St Paul’s Leonardo Royal Hotel, London on 3rd October 2019 and here are the finalists for the 2019 BBBAwards:
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
Images Courtesy – Black British Business Awards
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