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Finalists announced for the Black British Business Awards

PICTURED: Yomi Adegoke, left, and Elizabeth Uviebinené, right

THE FINALISTS of the 2019 Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) have been announced today, as they recognise the UK’s rising stars and established leaders thriving in their respective business sectors.

Nominees at this year’s awards include Elizabeth Uviebinene and Yomi Adegoke, the authors behind the popiular book Slay In Your Lane: The Black Girl Bible, Sharon Watson, artistic director of the Pheonix Dance Theatre, Jamelia Donaldson, founder of hair subscription box service Treasure Tress plus more.

Melanie Eusebe, Chair and Co-Founder of the Black British Business Awards saod: “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, from 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, who’s 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”.

The BBBAwards provide a necessary platform for economic empowerment, it is the only premium award ceremony to shine a light on the contributions made by black business professionals to the UK economy. The BBBAwards celebrates the exceptional achievements of black business leaders, with the aim of inspiring the next generation of business game-changers.

In other news, 2019 marks a unique partnership between the BBBAwards, Cranfield University’s School of Management and The Network of Networks. This year, the 100 Women to Watch list have spotlighted - for the first time - fifty leading professionals from BAME backgrounds alongside the Female FTSE Board report.

This follows a long line of initiatives by the Black British Business Awards including The Middle Research Report in collaboration with EMpower and Bloomberg highlighting the barriers to the progression of BAME talent into senior executive roles; BAME in the Boardroom in collaboration with Deloitte; and The Talent Accelerator in collaboration with The Executive Leadership Council and hosted by Morgan Stanley.

The Talent Accelerator is the first initiative of its kind spanning all sectors in the UK, it brings BAME talent together to develop collectively and in a way that no in-house programme can.

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 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
• 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

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