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, and it is the only premium award ceremony to shine a light on the contributions made by black business professionals to the UK economy. The Black British Business Awards celebrates the exceptional achievements of black business leaders, intending to inspire the next generation of business game-changers.
Melanie Eusebe, Chair and Co-Founder of the Black British Business Awards commented: “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. Including, 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, whose 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”.
>See also: Deutsche Bank hails creative entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds
Nominees
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
• 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
• Hanif Kara, Design Director, AKT II and Professor in Practice of Architectural Technology, Harvard GSD
• Joshua Umoren and Sena Mortoo, co-founders, Morts and More
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, Senior 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 Roiser, 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
This year the BBBA is being sponsored by Baker McKenzie, Barclays, Bloomberg, Cisco, Facebook, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, MediaCom, Morgan Stanley, The Executive Leadership Council and Thomson Reuters.
