Introducing this year’s exceptional Black British Business Awards 2025 (BBBAwards) winners; 36 finalists who represent the very best of entrepreneurs, corporate leaders and innovators from global corporations such as JPMorganChase, Netflix, Goldman Sachs, LinkedIn, Penguin Random House and Kantar.
Within the BBBAwards, the IMPACT Award honours a Black business leader who has made a significant impact in their industry. This year it recognises Anne Mensah – VP, UK Content at Netflix UK. Ms Mensah joined Netflix in 2019 from Sky where she was Director of Drama and Sky Studios. With recent credits including One Day, Baby Reindeer, Supacell, The Gentlemen, Black Doves and Adolescence, she is responsible for all content filmed in the UK and Ireland, overseeing investment of more than US$6bn in the UK’s creative economy since 2020.
Ms Mensah says of her BBBAward win: “It is a massive honour to be recognised with this award. I believe that there is a power in authenticity – in the stories we tell, the people we champion, and the way we show up in business and in life. When we try to lead with honesty and stay true to who we are, we create space for others to do the same and we’re able to put work into the world that truly resonates with people everywhere. I’m so deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of my journey – their support and belief made it happen.”
New to the BBBAwards this year is the ICON Award, honouring a trailblazing Black British business leader whose lifelong contributions have profoundly shaped industry and inspired generations. The inaugural Icon Award recognises Kanya King CBE, Founder and CEO of the MOBO Group.
What began as a bold vision to celebrate music of Black origin in 1996 with the Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards, has become an iconic global platform spotlighting talent from emerging artists to legends such as Soul II Soul, Beverley Knight, Craig David, Ms. Dynamite, Dizzee Rascal, Emeli Sandé, Stormzy, and Little Simz. Ms King’s leadership has amplified underrepresented voices for nearly three decades, shaping British music policy, and driving economic impact through Mobolise, her 2020 social enterprise.
Crowned Black British Business Person of the Year 2025 is Managing Director, EMEA Head of Tax Solutions at S&P Global Market Intelligence Yvonne Kunihira-Davidson who advises major financial institutions on complex global compliance regimes. Beyond her commercial success, Yvonne has been a catalyst for culture change—co-authoring a global allyship programme, sponsoring S&P’s BOLD network for Black professionals, and inspiring countless individuals through her advocacy, mentorship, and thought leadership.
In accepting her BBBAward, Yvonne Kunihira-Davidson said: “I am so honoured to be named Black British Business Person of the Year at this year’s BBBAwards. It’s amazing to be a part of a rich history of Black British business leaders who’ve all achieved such brilliant career heights and elevated others along the way.
It’s more important than ever to celebrate the wins, uplift each other and ensure everyone in business can achieve their dreams.”
The BBBAwards also recognised this year’s Ally of the Year, Nick Studer, CEO Oliver Wyman who has led from the front in creating pathways for Black colleagues to advance and contribute their expertise throughout Oliver Wyman and advocating for the race equity agenda across industry and in client engagements.
The Black British Business Awards ceremony took place tonight at the InterContinental Park Lane in a prestigious ceremony attended by senior figures in British business, UK opinion leaders and influencers representing all sectors and regions of the British economy. Now in its 12th year, the Awards has already recognised some 400 Black professionals and entrepreneurs for their contributions to business in addition to employers and allies that continue to address Black racial equity gaps.
BBBAwards Chair and Executive Founder Dr Sophie Chandauka MBE stated that: “At a time when inclusion feels increasingly polarised, the BBBAwards theme of #Elevate reminds us that real progress for all of us comes from rising above the noise and focus on investing in talent, innovation, and the future of British business, together. The achievements of this year’s winners show that nurturing brilliance and protecting hard-won gains isn’t just fair, it fuels growth, competitiveness, and shared prosperity.”
Returning this year as the BBBAwards’ Key Partner is JPMorganChase – its sixth year of support in recognising Black excellence across British business and entrepreneurship. Said Keisha Bell, Head of the Office of Black Affairs at JPMorganChase: “We couldn’t be prouder to be supporting such a wealth of Black British talent. Meeting this year’s finalists and category winners and understanding their career journeys and achievements really underlines the exceptional skills, innovation and excellence available to British businesses to tap into. Belinda’s career progression and achievements underlines what is possible, and I’d also like to congratulate Financial Services Rising Star Ayo Gabriel, Vice President, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, who is recognised in this year’s BBBAwards. JPMorganChase’ commitment to supporting diverse talent in our own, and across British business, continues.”
The 2025 BBBAwards honours exceptional performance and outstanding achievements by Black professionals and entrepreneurs across six industry categories. This year’s winners are:
- Black British Business Person of the Year: Yvonne Kunihira-Davidson, Managing Director, EMEA Head of Tax Solutions at S&P Global Market Intelligence
- Arts and Media Rising Star: Joelle Owusu-Sekyere, Editorial Director, Penguin Random House
- Arts and Media Senior Leader: Ete Davies, Former EMEA EVP, Dentsu Creative
- Consumer and Luxury Senior Leader: Alison Burton, Co-Founder, March Muses
- Consumer and Luxury Rising Star: Janet Davies, CEO, Ominira Naturals
- Entrepreneur Rising Star: Nnaemeka Obodoekwe, CTO, Lenkie Technologies Ltd
- Entrepreneur Senior Leader: Rose Hulse, Founder and CEO, ScreenHits TV
- Financial Services Rising Star : Ayo Gabriel, Vice President, J.P. Morgan
- Financial Services Senior Leader: Shauna Roper, Chief of Staff, Global Procurement, HSBC
- Professional Services Rising Star: Mavis Amonoo-Acquah, Barrister, Harcourt Chambers
- Professional Services Senior Leader: Landé Belo, Group Legal Director, Employment Counsel, Kantar
- STEM Rising Star: Jennifer Dominic, Associate Director of Marketing, MSD UK
- STEM Senior Leader: Serufusa Sekidde, Chief of Staff to the CEO, ViiV Healthcare – GSK
Also partnering the BBBAwards this year are: AlixPartners, Audeliss Executive Search, BakeWr McKenzie, Barclays, Bloomberg, The Financial Times, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, L’Oréal, Macquarie Group, Morgan Stanley, S&P Global, Ralph Lauren, Wellington Management and Worldpay. Their sponsorship is a key element in ensuring the significant contributions of Black professionals in the UK business world does not go unnoticed.