Black British Business Awards announce 2023 finalists

Jul 25, 2023 at 4:23 AM
Black British Business Awards announce 2023 finalists

Sophie Chandauka,, the awards' chair

Sophie Chandauka, the awards’ chair and government founder (Image: )

The Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) have introduced the 2023 finalists forward of their Tenth-anniversary ceremony this autumn.

The premier ceremony of its sort, the BBBAwards recognises distinctive performances of black professionals and entrepreneurs and the occasion this 12 months might be held on the InterContinental London, Park Lane on October 13.

Over the previous ten years, the BBBAwards have showcased over 370 people and 80 organisations which might be championing black excellence in enterprise.

This 12 months it celebrates rising stars and senior leaders throughout six classes, representing the likes of Netflix, Accenture, Sky, Farfetch, ASOS, LinkedIn, KPMG and distinctive startups in industries starting from publishing to healthcare.

This 12 months’s theme is #WeAre – celebrating the collective energy of the black group and their allies coming collectively to drive racial fairness in corporations in Britain.

In honour of the milestone, this 12 months’s celebrations and ceremony might be greater each in sentiment and in measurement. The BBBAwards are additionally a key spotlight of Black History Month within the UK and the occasion might be attended by senior enterprise leaders, authorities officers and outstanding opinion shapers and influencers from all races throughout Britain.

Sophie Chandauka, the awards’ chairman and government founder stated: “As we reflect on a decade of challenge and transformation, the 10th anniversary is a testament to the immense spirit and unwavering resilience of black British entrepreneurs and professionals.

“Our finalists navigated a difficult global economic environment to deliver an extraordinary value, showcasing innovation as entrepreneurs and strategic brilliance in some of the most iconic commercial brands and systemically important corporations.

“I’m proud to welcome the Class of 2023 to our world-class showcase of black talent, and we specifically applaud the investment of their companies and allies who have stood with them to ensure their success today and for years to come!”

Gail Waterman

Entrepreneur senior chief Gail Waterman, co-founder and proprietor, Watermans Corporate Enterprises Lim (Image: )

Wells Fargo is sponsoring the BBBAwards for the fourth 12 months working.

John Langley, its head of worldwide, stated: “Wells Fargo is honoured to be a part of the 10th anniversary. 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.”

For the fourth 12 months, J.P.Morgan is the important thing associate, persevering with its long-standing assist and, for the primary time, IHG Hotels & Resorts would be the BBBAwards Hospitality Partner.

This 12 months’s Category, Supporting and Event Sponsors embody Alix Partners, Baker McKenzie, Barclays, Bloomberg, Goldman Sachs, GSK, L’Oréal, MSCI, P&G, Sage, Tranzfar, Wellington Management and Wells Fargo.

The finalists for the 2023 BBBAwards are:

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 leader: Adejuwon Ogunsanya

Financial companies chief Adejuwon Ogunsanya, Managing Director, Head of UK, Africa and Israel Bank (Image: )

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

For extra data, go to https://www.thebbbawards.com/