The Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) have announced 2024’s winners at a gala ceremony in Central London during the UK’s Black History Month.
Microsoft’s Chief AI Transformation Officer and co-producer of Beyoncé’s ‘Black is King’ Chief Pamela Maynard, and Geoffrey Williams, VP Colleague Attraction & Inclusion at Burberry were named amongst the top prize winners at this year’s Black British Business Awards. Maynard, who has recently transitioned into the role of Chief AI Transformation Officer for Microsoft Customer and Partner Solutions (MCAPS), was honoured as this year’s Black British Business Person of the Year.
Maynard most recently served as the CEO of Avanade, a Microsoft-Accenture digital innovation joint venture, for five years. During her tenure as CEO, she achieved a level of growth that consistently outpaced the market, earning the company Microsoft’s 2023 Partner of the Year for a record-breaking 18th time. By building a people-first culture, Maynard consistently empowered her 60,000+ employees and modelled an employee experience that saw Avanade win more than 75 Best Places to Work awards. She is the first Black female CEO who has led one of Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work. As the Chief AI Transformation Officer for MCAPS, Maynard will leverage Microsoft’s AI portfolio to drive internal transformation and work directly with customers to accelerate theirs.
The Black British Person of the Year Award was presented to Maynard by Cecil Peters, the EMEA Head of DEI and Advancing Black Pathways at JPMorganChase on the night of the celebration.
CELEBRATING OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS OF UK’S BLACK TALENT
The theme of this year’s BBBAwards is #NEXT. Now in its 11th year, the BBBAwards is marking a new decade of celebrating the outstanding achievements of Black professionals and entrepreneurs in the UK. #NEXT marks a generational shift in the Black community and business. It acknowledges rising stars who are now poised to become the next generation of industry leaders and honouring those who defied the odds and fought hard to pave the way. To date, the BBBAwards have honoured over 330 Black British professionals and entrepreneurs.
Commenting on this year’s awards, Dr Sophie Chandauka MBE, Chair and Executive Founder of the BBBAwards said: “I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to all the winners of the 2024 Black British Business Awards. In a time when the challenges we face in the UK and overseas are all too apparent, your success is a powerful reminder of the resilience, brilliance, and leadership within our community. The presence of strong women at the helm of British businesses is not only inspiring but essential.
“I am honoured to see the BBBAwards recognise Pamela Maynard as Business Person of the Year playing a global leadership role at the forefront of AI innovation at one of the most iconic and systemically important technology companies. Our BBBAwards winners are all paving the way for the next generation, proving that excellence knows no boundaries, and that, together, we can continue to reshape the future of British business.”
SPOTLIGHTING BLACK EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS
“As a long-time partner of the Black British Business Awards, we are deeply honoured to witness the incredible talent being spotlighted; particularly this year’s recognition of Pamela as a remarkable female leader in STEM,” shared Cecil Peters, Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in EMEA at JPMorganChase. “Her achievements represent the innovation, resilience, and excellence that define Black British business leadership today.
“In addition, with our very own Patrick Thomson winning the Ally of the Year Award, it is a reminder that we all must be in this together. At JPMorganChase, we are committed to supporting initiatives that elevate diverse talent and break barriers across industries, and it’s a privilege to continue celebrating the brilliant minds shaping the future.”
STRIVING FOR EQUALITY & DIVERSITY
The BBBAwards also celebrated two special honorary awards, The Ally of the Year Award designed to recognise the work of senior Allies to the Black community who continue to strive for diversity and equality in business, and The Impact Award which is designed to honour an individual of African or Caribbean heritage who has made a significant impact in elevating the visibility and reputation of Black professionals in the UK. The 2024 Ally of the Year Award went to Patrick Thomson, CEO Europe, Middle East & Africa at JPMorgan Asset Management. The 2024 Impact Award went to Rob Anarfi, Chief Risk Officer at Beazley.
JPMorganChase returns for the fifth year as the Key Partner of the BBBAwards, for the seventh consecutive year. Other sponsors include Alix Partners, Baker McKenzie, Barclays, Bloomberg, Deloitte Goldman Sachs, L’Oréal, Morgan Stanley, MSCI, Oliver Wyman, Financial Times, the Stepstone Group, Wellington Management and Wells Fargo. Through their support of the BBBAwards, these organisations are demonstrating that race equity is a key priority as they celebrate the success of another cohort of finalists and winner during this year’s ceremony.
The BBBAwards gala recognised the achievements of Rising Stars and Senior Leaders across six industry sectors: Arts and Media, Consumer and Luxury, Entrepreneur, Financial Services, Professional Services, and STEM.
2024’S BBBAWARDS WINNERS
The winners of this year’s BBBAwards include:
- Black British Business Person of the Year: Pamela Maynard, Chief AI Transformation Officer, Microsoft Customer and Partner Solutions.
- Arts and Media Rising Star: Jimi Adesanya, Co-Founder and Executive Producer, JM Films & Unbound Studios
- Arts and Media Senior Leader: Laura Henry-Allain MBE, Storyteller, Producer, Educationalist and Consultant, Allain Creatives
- Consumer and Luxury Rising Star: Leon Francis, Senior Manager, Apple
- Consumer and Luxury Senior Leader: Geoffrey Williams, VP Colleague Attraction & Inclusion, Burberry
- Entrepreneur Rising Star: Mike Williams, Co-Founder, Flake Bake Ltd
- Entrepreneur Senior Leader: Mark Dalgety, CEO, Caricom Products Ltd T/Z Dalgety Teas
- Financial Services Rising Star: Khalia Ismain, Black Entrepreneurs Programme Manager, Lloyds Bank
- Financial Services Senior Leader: Ize Idemudia, Managing Director, COO, Morgan Stanley
- Professional Services Rising Star: Yeshua Carter, Senior Consultant, Founder of EY Outreach, EY
- Professional Services Senior Leader: Liza Jordan, Managing Director, Accenture
- STEM Rising Star: Tolu Falade, Production Team Leader, BP
- STEM Senior Leader: Haddy Davies, Global Business Partner, Catalyst Technologies, Johnson Matthey
- Ally of the Year: Patrick Thomson, CEO Europe, Middle East & Africa at JPMorgan Asset Management
- Impact Award; Rob Anarfi, Chief Risk Officer at Beazley
Check out this year’s finalists here.
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