Finalists For The 2023 Black British Business Awards Are Announced

Prior to their 10th Anniversary celebration in October of this year, the Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) have revealed the 2023 contenders. The BBBAwards, the foremost UK awards ceremony of its type, honours remarkable achievements by Black professionals and businesses. On October 13, the BBBAwards ceremony will take place at the InterContinental London, Park Lane.

The BBBAwards have honoured over 370 people and 80 institutions that are promoting Black excellence in business during the past ten years. The BBBAwards honour rising stars and seasoned leaders in six categories this year, including notable startups in the publishing and healthcare sectors and companies like Netflix, Accenture, Sky, Farfetch, ASOS, LinkedIn, and KPMG.

The BBBAwards theme for this anniversary year is #WeAre, celebrating the combined strength of Black people and their Allies in advancing racial fairness in British corporations. The BBBAwards will honour Black Britain’s best and brightest in 2023 while reflecting on their past, present, and future as a group and individuals.

This year’s celebrations and ceremony will be larger in scale and spirit in appreciation of the 10th Anniversary. Senior business executives, government representatives, and well-known opinion leaders and influencers from all races in Britain will attend the BBBAwards, which is also a major feature of Black History Month in the UK.

BBBAwards Chair and Executive Founder Sophie Chandauka MBE said:

“As we reflect on a decade of challenge and transformation, the 10th Anniversary of the Black British Business Awards 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 extraordinary value, showcasing innovation as entrepreneurs and strategic brilliance in some of the most iconic commercial brands and systemically important corporations. 

“I am 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!”

In six industrial categories, the 2023 BBBAwards recognise Black professionals and business owners’ remarkable performance and noteworthy accomplishments, awarding up-and-coming talent and established industry titans. The following are the finalists for the 2023 BBBAwards:

Arts and Media Rising Star

1. Aaron Lynch, Senior Manager, Global Creative Marketing, Netflix
2. Abiola Bello, Director, Author and Publisher, Hashtag Press Ltd
3. Oluwatobi Demuren, Global Head of Advocacy Marketing, LinkedIn

Arts and Media Senior Leader of the Year

1. Angela Ferreira, Managing Director, Douglas Road Productions
2. Charlene Gravesande, Sky Sports Assistant Producer, Sky UK Limited
3. Louisa Olafuyi, Co-Founder and COO, Kunda Kids

Consumer and Luxury Rising Star

1. Kelsa Albert, People Development Lead, Farfetch
2. Nomalanga Senda, Founder, Noma Creates
3. Yaa Ofori-Ansah, Founder and CEO, Talking Drums

Consumer and Luxury Senior Leader of the Year

1. Alexis Cepeda Maule, Managing Director of UK and Europe, Reformation
2. Roger Shakes, Head Chef and Owner, Rogers Kitchen
3. Vanessa Spence, Senior Creative Director, ASOS

Entrepreneur Rising Star

1. Chloë Downes, Founder and CEO, SHFT
2. George Imafidon, CEO, Motivez
3. Myles and Bradley Jensen, Founders, Jensen & Jensen

Entrepreneur Senior Leader of the Year

1. Fungai Ndemera, Founder and CEO, CheckUp Health
2. Gail Waterman, Co-Founder and Owner, Watermans Corporate Enterprises Limited
3. Ken and Mary Okoroafor, Founders, The Humble Penny and Financial Joy Academy

Financial Services Rising Star

1. Joshua Bright, Vice President, Debt Syndication, SMBC Nikko
2. Kwaku Kyei-Manu, Director of Wealth Application Support, SS&C
3. Sutanya Chedda, European Equity Strategist, UBS AG

Financial Services Senior Leader of the Year

1. Adejuwon Ogunsanya, Managing Director, Head of UK, Africa and Israel Banks Coverage, CIB, Wells Fargo
2. Nigell Todd, Head of Global FX Trading, Fidelity International
3. Tosin Akinluyi, Head of EMEA Macro Research, Morgan Stanley

Professional Services Rising Star

1. Harold Memela, Senior Manager, Transformation and Change, KPMG
2. Kyle Collins, Adobe Workfront Operations Lead UKI, EMEA, IBM
3. Liseli Sumbwanyambe, Associate, McKinsey & Company

Professional Services Senior Leader of the Year

1. David Otudeko, Head of Prudential Regulation, ABI
2. Dinah Cobbinah, Partner, FS Transformation Services, KPMG
3. Hannah Awonuga, Global Director, Head of DEI Colleague Engagement, Barclays

STEM Rising Star

1. Audrey Limery, Founder and CEO, Kweevo
2. Dr Azzedine Dabo, Investigator, GSK
3. Tolulope Osobu, Management Consultant, Accenture

STEM Senior Leader of the Year

1. Eve Kamau, Senior Director DCT Strategy and Innovation, Thermofisher Scientific
2. Erica Nyoni, Senior Product Owner, Supply Chain and Technology, S&P Global Mobility
3. Tanya Davis, Cyber Security Data Manager, Lloyds Banking Group