With its 10th anniversary just around the corner the Black British Business Awards (BBBA) have announced their 2023 finalists from across the business world.
Across a wide range of fields and industries, a dozen awards are up for grabs with around 23 nominees in the running.
The celebration is due to take place on Park Lane in October.
This year’s theme of #WeAre is for celebrating the collective power of the Black community and their allies coming together to drive racial equity in companies in Britain.
The anniversary celebrations will also be a key moment in this year’s Black History Month and the BBBA expects a host of great business leaders, innovators, and government officials in attendance.
Sophie Chandauka MBE, Chair and Executive Founder of the BBBAwards said: “Our finalists navigated a difficult global economic environment to deliver extraordinary value, showcasing innovation as entrepreneurs and strategic brilliance in some of the most iconic commercial brands.”
Chandauka, a veteran of the business world from time spent with such well-known brands as Virgin Money, Morgan Stanley, and Meta, also wants to use the occasion as an opportunity to thank all the allies as well as their companies in contributing to the success of the nominees.
The BBBA have seen occasions like this become a great opportunity to celebrate some of Britain’s most ambitious and successful business professionals and innovators.
With nominees from such big brands as Netflix, Sky and Lloyds Bank there is great talent from a variety of industries.
And for the fourth year running financial services firm Wells Fargo are a key sponsor of the event along with Bloomberg, Barclays, GSK and many well respected firms.
John Langley, Head of International at Wells Fargo said: “Wells Fargo is honoured to be a part of the 10th Anniversary of the Black British Business Awards which celebrates exceptional Black professionals and entrepreneurs.
“The unwavering tenacity, drive and commitment, coupled with the extraordinary talent of these individuals, demonstrates the power of the Black business community and the value it brings to UK industries. Our warmest congratulations to the finalists.”
Since being established in 2014, over 370 individuals and 80 organisations have been championed as outstanding representatives of Black British Business.
And with endorsements from three prime ministers, Mayor Sadiq Khan and associations with key partner J.P. Morgan, the BBBAs are hoping to continue transforming British business.
Find the full list of nominees below.
Arts and Media Rising Star
- Aaron Lynch, Senior Manager, Global Creative Marketing, Netflix
- Abiola Bello, Director, Author and Publisher, Hashtag Press Ltd
- Oluwatobi Demuren, Global Head of Advocacy Marketing, LinkedIn
Arts and Media Senior Leader of the Year
- Angela Ferreira, Managing Director, Douglas Road Productions
- Charlene Gravesande, Sky Sports Assistant Producer, Sky UK Limited
- Louisa Olafuyi, Co-Founder and COO, Kunda Kids
Consumer and Luxury Rising Star
- Kelsa Albert, People Development Lead, Farfetch
- Nomalanga Senda, Founder, Noma Creates
- Yaa Ofori-Ansah, Founder and CEO, Talking Drums
Consumer and Luxury Senior Leader of the Year
- Alexis Cepeda Maule, Managing Director of UK and Europe, Reformation
- Roger Shakes, Head Chef and Owner, Rogers Kitchen
- Vanessa Spence, Senior Creative Director, ASOS
Entrepreneur Rising Star
- Chloë Downes, Founder and CEO, SHFT
- George Imafidon, CEO, Motivez
- Myles and Bradley Jensen, Founders, Jensen & Jensen
Entrepreneur Senior Leader of the Year
- Fungai Ndemera, Founder and CEO, CheckUp Health
- Gail Waterman, Co-Founder and Owner, Watermans Corporate Enterprises Limited
- Ken and Mary Okoroafor, Founders, The Humble Penny and Financial Joy Academy
Financial Services Rising Star
- Joshua Bright, Vice President, Debt Syndication, SMBC Nikko
- Kwaku Kyei-Manu, Director of Wealth Application Support, SS&C
- Sutanya Chedda, European Equity Strategist, UBS AG
Financial Services Senior Leader of the Year
- Adejuwon Ogunsanya, Managing Director, Head of UK, Africa and Israel Banks Coverage, CIB, Wells Fargo
- Nigell Todd, Head of Global FX Trading, Fidelity International
- Tosin Akinluyi, Head of EMEA Macro Research, Morgan Stanley
Professional Services Rising Star
- Harold Memela, Senior Manager – Transformation and Change, KPMG
- Kyle Collins, Adobe Workfront Operations Lead UKI, EMEA, IBM
- Liseli Sumbwanyambe, Associate, McKinsey & Company
Professional Services Senior Leader of the Year
- David Otudeko, Head of Prudential Regulation, ABI
- Dinah Cobbinah, Partner FS Intelligent Process Transformation, KPMG
- Hannah Awonuga, Global Director, Head of DEI Colleague Engagement, Barclays
STEM Rising Star
- Audrey Limery, Founder and CEO, Kweevo
- Dr Azzedine Dabo, Investigator, GSK
- Tolulope Osobu, Management Consultant, Accenture
STEM Senior Leader of the Year
- Evelyn Kamau, Senior Director DCT Strategy and Innovation, Thermofisher Scientific
- Erica Nyoni, Senior Product Owner, Supply Chain and Technology, S&P Global Mobility
- Tanya Davis, Cyber Security Data Manager, Lloyds Banking Group
Image credits: The Black British Business Awards
