Nominations open for the Black British Business Awards

Nominations opened for the Black British Business Awards 2015 at a unique business reception attended by Business Secretary Vince Cable and other celebrated business leaders, including Piers Linney.

Endorsed by the Prime Minister, with EY as key sponsor for the second year running, the awards will look to further strengthen recognition of the important contribution made by Black British business professionals and entrepreneurs.

The BBBAwards launched in 2014 as the only premium awards programme which recognises and celebrates the exceptional performance and outstanding achievements of black entrepreneurs and professionals in Britain.

Nominations can be submitted here – http://www.thebbbawards.com/nominate/

This year’s ceremony will be held at The Hilton Park Lane Hotel, London, on 20th October 2015, and will recognise 10 outstanding black business professionals and entrepreneurs in five industry categories:

• Financial Services (includes banks, brokers, payment services, insurance companies, credit cards, funds and regulators).
• Retail and Consumer Goods (includes food, beverage, household goods, retail, travel and leisure, cosmetics, personal and luxury goods).
• Infrastructure and Manufacturing (includes transportation, built environment, power and utilities).
• Professional Services (includes law, accounting, management consultancy and in-house professionals).
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (includes health, industrials, telecoms, pharmaceuticals, transport and energy).

Judging this year’s awards are some of the top business minds in the UK including:

• Sanjay Bhandari, Partner, EY.
• Karen Blackett OBE, CEO Mediacom.
• Sophie Chandauka, Co-Founder of the Black British Business Awards and Head of Group Treasury (Legal) at Virgin Money.
• Donna Herdsman, Director – UK Public Sector at Hewlett-Packard.
• Adrian Joseph | Director and Head of Adometry Client Services EMEA, Google.
• Dr Sandie Okoro, Global General Counsel of HSBC Asset Management.
• Paul Reed, Chief Executive of Integrated Supply and Trading at BP.
• Daniel Taylor, Managing Director, Metro Design.

Business Secretary, Vince Cable, said: “A lot of my work as Business Secretary over the last five years has focused on encouraging a different type of business, focused on the long term and responsible corporate behaviour. Embracing a more diverse workforce, which recognises the wealth of talent out there, is a crucial part of that ambition. So it’s great to be celebrating the achievements and the contribution that black and ethnic minority entrepreneurs and business leaders have made to date at this year’s Black British Business Awards.”

Piers Linney, winner of 2015’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, said: “It was a real honour to win my award last year at the inaugural awards and I wish everyone involved all the best for the second year as they continue to shine a spotlight on the outstanding black entrepreneurs we have in this country.”

“I would encourage everyone who runs a business or works for a company to nominate someone exceptional they know or work with for this year’s awards.”

Melanie Eusebe, chair and co-founder of the Black British Business Awards commented: “We are all relishing the opportunity to build on the success of last year’s awards. There were so many brilliant and inspirational individuals amongst our finalists last year, and I’m delighted we have another chance to put some of the exceptional black British entrepreneurs and business minds in the UK under the spotlight.”

The deadline for nominations is Monday 5 May 2015.