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FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE FIRST BLACK BRITISH BUSINESS AWARDS

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR FIRST BLACK BRITISH BUSINESS AWARDS

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE FIRST BLACK BRITISH BUSINESS AWARDS

Awards will celebrate outstanding achievements of black British business leaders

The finalists in the inaugural Black British Business Awards, sponsored by EY, are announced today, recognising leaders and rising stars across the UK who represent the very best of business success.
Recent studies have shown that Britain still faces difficulties when it comes to representation of ethnic minorities across business, with more than half of FTSE100 companies having no non-white leaders at board level, whether executive or non-executive; and two-thirds have no full-time minority executives at board level[i].

The Black British Business Awards, founded by Melanie Eusebe and Sophie Chandauka - aim to celebrate and promote the often unsung significant contributions by black professionals in businesses in Britain, uncovering inspirational role models and ambassadors across all UK industries including media, professional services, finance, infrastructure and manufacturing and STEM.
This year’s finalists range from well-known figures such as Piers Linney (Dragon’s Den, The Secret Millionaire) and Wilfred Emmanuel Jones (The Black Farmer) to rising stars from a wide range of leading UK companies who impressed the judges with their stellar business achievements.

The winners will be announced during a prestigious ceremony at the Grange City Hotel, Tower Hill on 2nd October 2014. Secretary of State Vince Cable MP will be delivering the Ministerial Address.
The 15-strong judging panel is comprised of business leaders across a wide range of industries including: Sanjay Bhandari, Partner, EY, Karen Blackett OBE, CEO, MediaCom, Tim Campbell MBE, Head of Client Services, Emerging Talent, Alexander Mann Solutions; winner The Apprentice (2005), Adrian Joseph, Director, Customer Solutions & Innovation, Northern & Central Europe Google and Steve Smith, Chief Marketing Officer, ASDA.

Prime Minister David Cameron said:

‘I’m delighted to back the inaugural Black British Business Awards that will celebrate and recognise the fantastic contribution of black business people in the UK. From financial services and technology to retail and manufacturing the list of extraordinary talent in Britain’s African-Caribbean community goes on and on.’

Melanie Eusebe, Chair and Co-founder of the Black British Business Awards commented:

’I started these awards to showcase the contribution made to the British economy by black business people, and with the tremendous support we have received from our sponsors, judges, partners, community and government, we now have a ceremony that is raising awareness, changing mindsets, and inspiring the next generation of business leaders.’

Sanjay Bhandari, an EY partner and member of the awards judging panel added:

‘Improving the diversity of UK PLC transcends the responsibility of government, business and individuals. There is no quick fix or silver bullet, but role models undoubtedly have an important part to play.
The Black British Business Awards are a fantastic opportunity to uncover hidden talent and shine the spotlight on the UK’s top business leaders. EY is proud to support these inaugural awards and I look forward to meeting this year’s inspirational entrants.’

2014 Black British Business Awards finalists

Financial Services (includes in-house professionals)
Leader
• Diane Greenidge, Deputy Chief Administration Officer – Europe, BNY Mellon
• Pamela Hutchinson, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer EMEA and APAC, Northern Trust
• Trevor Williams, Chief Economist, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking
Rising Star
• Jennifer Mensah, Analyst, Goldman Sachs International
• Funke Omisore, Sponsor Supervision Associate, UK Listing Authority
• Lorraine Wright, Director, UBS

Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG, includes retail)
Leader
• Constance Jackson, General Manager –Europe, Fashion Fair Beauty Products Ltd
• Wilfred Emmanuel Jones, Founder, The Black Farmer
• Tumi Soyinka, Senior Product Manager, L’Oréal
Rising Star
• Fioye Akinsola, Head of Operations/Director, Virgos Lounge Limited
• Timi Dorgu, Regional Sales Manager, London, L’Oréal
• Ike Sikuade, Founder, Showerella

Infrastructure and Manufacturing (includes transportation, built environment, power and utilities)
Leader
• Myrtle Dawes, Director of Projects, Centrica E&P (UK and Netherlands)
• Dr Nelson Ogunshakin OBE, Chief Executive, Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE)
• David Waboso CBE, Capital Programmes Director, London Underground Ltd
Rising Star
• Tobi Lawal, Business Development Manager, BP
• Jim Lenga-Kroma, Human Resources Graduate, RWE npower
• Naomi Williams-Taylor, Business Development Associate, Metro Design Consultants

Media and the Arts (includes media, publishing, advertising, entertainment)
Leader
• Darcus Beese, President, Island Records
• Arit Eminue, Director DiVA
• Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp OBE, Chief Executive, The Place (Contemporary Dance Trust)
Rising Star
• Joanna Abeyie, Founder and Director, Shine Media Ltd
• Barbara Njau, Editor, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, fDi Magazine, The Financial Times
• Sebastian Thiel, Film Director/Founder, Upshot Entertainment

Professional Services (includes law, accounting, management consultancy)
Leader
• Margaret Casely-Hayford, Chairman, Action Aid UK
• Trevor James, London Office Managing Partner, Morrison and Foerster (UK) LLP
• Tom Shropshire, Partner, Linklaters LLP
Rising Star
• Chike Eduputa, Consultant Analyst, PA Consulting Group
• Alieu Fofanah, Africa Business Group Lead, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and CEO, Go-Getters
• Melba Mwanje, Founder and Trustee, SE1 United

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM, includes health professionals)
Leader
• Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Space Scientist and Science Communicator, UCL and Science Innovation Ltd
• Tunji Akintokun, Director, Middle East, Africa, Russia and CIS, Cisco
• Rashada Harry, Director, Your Future, Your Ambition
• Dr Uchenna Okoye, Clinical Director, London Smiling Dental Group
Rising Star
• Anne-Marie Imafidon, Head Stemette, Stemettes
• Sonny Kombo, Graduate Civil Engineer, Transport for London
• Amie Samba, Fitness Mentor, Run Fun Starz

Entrepreneur of the Year
Leader
• Michael Barrington-Hibbert, Managing Partner, Barrington Hibbert Associates
• Piers Linney, Co-CEO, Outsourcery PLC
• Andrew Osayemi, Managing Director, MTA Productions Ltd
Rising Star
• Stefan Knight, Managing Director, JSJ Electrical Contractors
• Linda Mutunga, Founder, Syo Kai
• Philip Poku, Founder/Director, Young Graduates Day Nursery

For further information about the awards please see: www.thebbbawards.com

 

 

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