Call for nominations for the inaugural Black British Business Awards

Nominations are now open for the first Black British Business Awards, sponsored by EY.

Two recent studies have highlighted issues that Britain still faces when it comes to matters of ethnicity in business and the media:

• A recent study commissioned by executive recruitment consultancy Green Park showed that more than half of FTSE100 companies have no non-white leaders at board level, whether executive or non-executive; and two-thirds have no full-time minority executives at board level.
• In addition to this, a study by The Runnymede Trust showed that 78% of people surveyed agreed that media coverage of ethnic minority Britons promotes racism.

In light of this, and to support and promote business excellence, the Black British Business Awards aim to uncover inspirational role models and ambassadors who represent the very best of business success.

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Held in a prestigious ceremony at the Grange Hotel, Tower Hill on 2^nd October 2014, the Awards will recognise the contribution of black business people in the UK. The Black British Business Awards comprise six categories, including an award for Entrepreneur of the Year.

The following categories will recognise two individuals in each industry award category:

Rising Star – Awarded to a black business person under 28 who is excelling in their organisation, a ‘one to watch’.

Leader – Awarded to a black senior business person excelling within their organisation.

• Financial Services (includes in-house professionals)
• Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG, includes retail)
• Infrastructure and Manufacturing (includes transportation, built environment, power and utilities)
• Media and the Arts (includes media, publishing, advertising, entertainment)
• Professional Services (includes law, accounting, management consultancy)
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM, includes health professionals)

Judging the awards are some of the top business minds in the UK including:

• Sanjay Bhandari, Partner, EY
• Karen Blackett, CEO MediaCom
• Tim Campbell, Winner, The Apprentice (2005); Head of Client Services, Emerging Talent at Alexander Mann Solutions
• Sophie Chandauka, Head of Asset Financing at Virgin Money

Melanie Eusebe, Chair and Co-founder of the Black British Business Awards commented: “We are delighted to open the nominations for the first Black British Business Awards, a welcome opportunity to showcase some of the talented black entrepreneurs and business brains in Britain. We hope by celebrating the achievements of some of these accomplished individuals we can inspire a new generation of young black British aspiring business people.”

Sanjay Bhandari, an EY partner and member of the awards judging panel added: “Improving the diversity of UK PLCtranscends the responsibility of government, business and individuals. There is no quick fix or silver bullet, but role models undoubtedly have an important part to play.

“The Black British Business Awards are a fantastic opportunity to uncover hidden talent and shine the spotlight on the UK’s top business leaders. EY is proud to support these inaugural awards and I look forward to meeting this year’s inspirational entrants.”