The winners of this year’s Black British Business Awards (BBBAWards) were revealed at last night’s virtual ceremony during the UK’s Black History Month.
Edgar Chibaka and Jamal Tahlil, Co-Founders and Directors of First Response Group Ltd scooped the Business Persons of the Year Award. These inspiring entrepreneurs immigrated to the UK from East Africa in 2007; and built their security, fire and facility management solutions company from scratch. In July 2021, they reported over £25million in revenue.
In addition to the Black British Persons of the Year, the BBBAWards announced Rising Star and Senior Leader winners in six industry sectors. This year’s winners represent some of the UK’s top corporate leaders and creative disruptors excelling in their respective fields. These professionals not only stand out as role models and substantial contributors to the UK economy; they are also celebrated for their willingness to drive equitable change within their sectors and in society.
AMPLIFYING BLACK PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
“It is an honour to shine a spotlight on this year’s winners who are not only doing remarkable things in their own organisations but also in their personal lives,” stated Sophie Chandauka, Executive Founder and Chair of the Black British Business Awards. “The ingenuity, resilience and commercial savviness of our rising stars is breathtaking. This year’s senior leaders epitomise the meaning of ‘role models’. They are leading significant commercial functions whilst acting as wise counsel for their investors, boards of directors and rising talent during the pandemic and period of social unrest. Congratulations again to all of this year’s winners and finalists.”
The last 18 months have brought into sharp focus the need to acknowledge and elevate stories about value creation and cultural impact emanating from the Black community in the UK; and the reason why the 2021 Awards was themed ‘#Amplify’. “The BBBAwards will continue to not only #Amplify Black professionals, but Black voices, careers, backgrounds and experiences across all sectors and sections of the UK,” said the awards organiser.
This year, the BBBAwards introduced two honorary awards. The Influencer of the Year Award, which celebrates a Black individual who has shaped public opinion on a topic that is significant to the perception, treatment and legacy of Black people in Britain. This was awarded to Marvyn Harrison, Founder of Dope Black Dads. Secondly, The Ally of the Year Award, which celebrates an individual who, despite not being Black, has been actively involved in the advancement of Black professionals and driving systemic changes that have differentiated outcomes for Black people within their organisation or sector. This award was given to Kate Priestman, Senior Vice-President at GSK.
OUTSTANDING BUSINESS TALENT
The BBBAwards ceremony distinguished outstanding business talent in six industry categories, which are divided into Rising Star and Senior Leader Awards. The full list of winners of the 2021 BBBAwards are as follows:
- Black British Business Persons of the Year: Edgar Chibaka and Jamal Tahlil, Co-Founders and Directors, First Response Group Ltd
- Influencer of the Year: Marvyn Harrison, Founder, Dope Black Dads
- Ally of the Year: Kate Priestman, Senior Vice-President, R&D at GSK
- Arts & Media Rising Star: Hannah Chukwu, Assistant Editor at Penguin Random House
- Arts & Media Senior Leader: Miya Knights, Global Content Strategist at Poq Commerce
- Consumer & Luxury Rising Star: Vese Aghoghovbia, Founder & Creator-in – Chief at Philly & Friends
- Consumer & Luxury Senior Leader: Alexandria Dauley, Creative Director at Dauley Designs
- Entrepreneur Rising Star: Alessandra Madubunyi, Director at WE are COCO
- Entrepreneur Senior Leader: Michael Khouri-Bent, Managing Director at Metropolitan Care Solutions
- Financial Services Rising Sta: Jordon Clarke, GCM/Syndicate Global Ops Project Lead at Morgan Stanley
- Financial Services Senior Leader: Lara Oyesanya, Group General Counsel at WorldRemit
- Professional Services Rising Star: Samuel Lawrence, Vice-President EMEA, Mid-Market for JLL Technologies
- Professional Services Senior Leader: Akima Paul-Lambert, Litigation Partner at Hogan Lovells
- STEM Rising Star: Nnamdi Emelifeonwu, Founder and CEO at Definely
- STEM Senior Leader: Gareth Dauley, Executive Vice President at Pacific Green Technologies
DRIVING MEANINGFUL CHANGE
Commenting on the winners, Cecil Peters, Head of Advancing Black Pathways in EMEA at JP Morgan, said: “We’re proud sponsors of the Black British Business Awards here at JP Morgan. We never fail to be moved and inspired by the stories that emerge during the ceremony. The Awards shine a light on a remarkable group of people who are striving to innovate and drive meaningful change. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Edgar and Jamal of First Response Group Ltd, and all of this year’s finalists.”
Once again, JP Morgan was the Key Partner of the Awards. Other sponsors included Barclays, Baker McKenzie, Cisco, The Economist Group, Facebook, Goldman Sachs, Tranzfar, Wellington Management and Wells Fargo.
Check out the full list of 2021’s finalists here.
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