More than 700 leaders, innovators and changemakers gathered in London as the 2026 Black Tech Achievement Awards recognised standout talent across 18 categories and unveiled the inaugural BTA Top 50 spotlighting Black professionals shaping the future of UK technology.
The Black Tech Achievement Awards (BTA Awards) 2026, hosted by the Black Business Experience, returned for its sixth year on Friday 27 March, as one of the UK’s most significant platforms celebrating Black excellence in technology.
Bringing together a powerful cross-section of the industry – from global corporations and fast-growing startups to senior leaders and emerging talent – the event recognised trailblazers in tech – individuals and organisations – driving innovation, inclusion and impact across the sector.
From artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to fintech, gaming and social good, this year’s winners reflect the breadth and depth of Black talent shaping the UK’s digital economy.
CELEBRATING 2026’S BTA AWARDS WINNERS
This year’s BTA Awards winners, by category include:
- A.I. Champion (Sponsored by Salesforce): Khrishawn Powell, Lloyds Banking Group
- Ally of the Year: Nick Cornforth, Adobe
- Developer of the Year (Sponsored by Morgan Stanley): Mayowa Fajobi, Marsh
- Diversity Champion (Sponsored by Virgin Media O2): Iyioluwa Adesan, Apprentis
- Employee of the Year: Dedun Oyenuga, Microsoft
- Employer of the Year: Deutsche Bank
- Entrepreneur of the Year: Elizabeth Uviebinené, Storia World
- Fintech Changemaker Award: Shafie Ali, Wise
- Gaming Excellence Award: Lewis Appiagyei, Lewis Appiagyei Motorsports
- Innovation Champion: Eneni Abban, British Council
- Inspirational Woman of the Year: Hannah Ngakane, Pinterest
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Pamela Maynard OBE, Microsoft
- Outstanding Tech Leader in Financial Services: Lisa Smith, Deloitte Digital (former)
- Rising Star (Sponsored by Aveva): Vera Okojie, Visa Inc (former)
- Security Person of the Year: Vanessa Anderson, Microsoft
- Social Good Award (Sponsored by Octopus Energy): Sarah Flambard, We Are Here
- Tech Start-Up of the Year: 10mg Health
- Technology Team Leader Award: Beryl Lindelwa Ncube, Capgemini
INTRODUCING THE BTA TOP 50
A standout moment of the evening was the launch of the BTA Top 50 – The definitive list of Black professionals shaping the future of UK tech. As diversity and inclusion continue to be critical priorities for the UK technology sector, the Black Tech Achievement Awards remain a vital platform for recognising excellence, amplifying voices, and inspiring future generations.
With the introduction of the BTA Top 50, the initiative expands its impact, not only celebrating success, but actively shaping the narrative of leadership, innovation and representation across the industry. This year’s BTA Top 50 (in alphabetical order), include:
- Adebimpe Makinda – Senior Business Analysis Manager, Capita
- Adrian Cave – Executive Director, Global Technology, JP Morgan
- Andrew Pearce – Retired Senior Executive & Board Member, Chaucer Syndicates Ltd
- Anna Simpson – Pipeline Staffing Manager, Boston Consulting Group
- Ayomide Akin – Growth Strategy Director, Accenture
- Ben Nduva – Director for Consulting Services, CGI
- Brian Bob-Jones – Senior Business Architect & Technology Business Partner, PwC
- Chris Murray – Lead of Data Transformation, Deutsche Bank
- Clare Ashley – Goldman Sachs
- Colin Williams – Business CTO / Field CISO, Computacenter
- Daniel Meikle – Head of Reliability & Obsolescence, Telent
- David Edem – Senior Enterprise Digital, Data and AI Transformation Leader
- Donna-Marie Patten – Programme Director, JP Morgan
- Elijah Fields – Business Development Consultant & User Researcher, CGI
- Elizabeth Ajala – Risk and Control Director, Ex-Monzo Bank
- Emmanuel Adenitire – Managing Director, Global Markets Engineering, Goldman Sachs
- Femi Adedimeji – R&D Principal Technologist of Innovation, AVEVA
- Fumbi Banjoko – Senior Director of Global Sales Development, Visa
- Funmi Beckley – Program and Transformation Leader, Gartner
- Issac Frimpong – Content & Marketing Capability Lead, Capgemini
- Jesse Robinson – Director of Customer Success, Intelliflo
- Kathy Quashie – EVP and CEO of Inetum Growing Markets, Inetum
- Kelsey Robb – Global Program Manager, Google
- Kukua Darko-Samaroo – Director, Customer Success Management, Moody’s
- Kwadwo Benko – Copilot Solution Engineer, Microsoft
- Lisa Smith – Partner, Deloitte Digital
- Lizette Stephens – Director of Chief Cloud & AI Architects, Microsoft
- Mandy Amoasi – Head of Communications, PwC Tech Catalyst
- Marcel De Jonghe – Head of EDI & Belonging, Birmingham City Council
- Maureen Biney – Technology Leader and Strategist
- Michael Bharwani – Deputy Head of Data Mesh Initiative Management, UBS
- Michaela McCollin – Global Customer Success Lead, Microsoft
- Natalie Daley – Global Head of Cloud Economics & FinOps, HSBC
- Nicole Perryman – Manager, Professional Services UKI, Databricks
- Nystrom Edwards – Principal Software Engineer, VP, Morgan Stanley
- Ony Chima – Principal Project Manager, bp
- Ope Fajemirokun – Software Engineering Team Lead, Bloomberg
- Philip Robinson – Head of Portfolio Performance, BBC
- Rebecca Tomasiewicz – Transformation Leader, bp
- Rehema Shabaya – Senior Delivery Lead, Accenture
- Rosemary Buahin – Xbox Marketing Lead, Northern Europe
- Rosemon Meissner – Startup Account Manager, AWS
- Rumbi Mtsambiwa – Cybersecurity Customer Relationship Manager, OpenText
- Salem Seyoum – Chief of Staff, EVP Technology, bp
- Shay Palmer – Environment Artist, Criterion Games
- Tamika Kalule – Lead Software Engineer, JP Morgan
- Temi Onanuga – Group Head of IT, Aventum Group
- Tina Bartlett-Game MBA – Director of Consulting, Workday
- Unette Spencer – VP, Customer Solutions & Sustainability Lead, Mastercard
- Vivian Eni – Senior HR Business Partner, EPAM Systems
BLACK REPRESENTATION IN TECH
Dr Raphael Sofoluke, Founder and CEO of the Black Business Experience, highlighted the importance of recognition and representation: “To every finalist and winner, you are the role models our community needs and deserves. The work you’re doing matters more than you know.”
He also thanked key partners – including Salesforce, Octopus Energy, Virgin Media O2, Morgan Stanley and AVEVA – for their support.
Click here for more information.
RELATED ARTICLES
The 2025 BTA Awards honours inspiring Black role models, trailblazers and innovators shaping the future of technology.
Over 20,000 Black women are ‘missing’ from the tech profession in the UK, according to research.
Black professionals in tech have to switch jobs more frequently than non-Black peers to seek career growth and progression, according to a study.
Sign up for our newsletter
