Press Release
16/02/22
A stellar committee of Birmingham business leaders has been announced today that will shape and drive the launch of the Birmingham Black Business Show. The show is committed to inspiring change for Black business owners and career professionals in the Midlands and surrounding areas, expecting over 1500 attendees and 100 exhibition stands.
The one-day event will take place on Saturday 18th June at the NEC Birmingham. Raphael Sofoluke, CEO of UK Black Business Show said:
‘Since launching in 2017, there has been a huge appetite to bring a show to the West Midlands. With a significant proportion of attendees and exhibitors coming from Birmingham and the surrounding areas, it was a no brainer for us to finally launch here. We are eager to ensure the voices of Black entrepreneurs and professionals are championed in this thriving city.’
The Advisory Committee
The Birmingham Black Business Show team has convened some of the region’s leading Black entrepreneurs, growth experts and allies to form a steering committee that will meet monthly at the HSBC UK’s headquarters in Centenary Square, Birmingham.
The committee is being chaired by multi-award-winning entrepreneur and brand expert, Tru Powell.
‘I am delighted to see Birmingham will be hosting the Birmingham Black Business Show for the first time this summer.’ Said Mr Powell who is also Creative & Events Director for Aston Performing Arts Academy. ‘Birmingham is the most entrepreneurial city outside London and therefore I am excited to see the support this event will provide Black business owners and career professionals in Birmingham and beyond. I am equally excited to chair a diverse and talented committee, predominantly from The Midlands that will help shape the look and feel of the event. Exciting times for Birmingham!’
Other committee members include BBC’s Apprentice finalist, Scarlett Allen-Horton – serial entrepreneur, Justice Williams – Behind Her Dreams, Mac Alonge – The Equal Group, Sam Duru – Wolverhampton Black Business Network, Janet Smith – Wolverhampton Black Business Network, Rebecca Picton – HSBC UK, Dan Hoff-Rodriques – Cx Squared, Sophie Marie – Black-Owned Birmingham, Anika Allen – Barclays and Black Magic Awards, Renée Davis – Out the Box plus D&I expert, Leah Slater-Radway – Nomura.
Headline Partner Confirmed
HSBC UK, who employ over 2500 people at their Birmingham city centre headquarters, has been announced as headline partners of the show in a two-year deal for 2022 and 2023.
On the partnership, Stuart Tait, Head of Commercial Banking, HSBC UK said:
“We are committed to ensuring that access to finance is fair and open to all entrepreneurs and are pleased to extend our sponsorship of the UK Black Business Show in both London and Birmingham.”
In the first of its kind event for the Midlands, the show will feature practical workshops, keynote talks and panels on themes such as achieving start-up success, career switching, increasing productivity and establishing generational wealth.
Speakers confirmed include Jamelia, Tru Powell, CJ Lloyd Webley and Marvyn Harrison with many more to be announced soon.
Michael Adeniya, COO of UK Black Business Show said of the launch show,
‘The West Midlands entrepreneurial spirit hasn’t diminished despite the economic impact of the pandemic. In fact, over 18,000 new start-up enterprises launched during the pandemic, and Wolverhampton alone is seeing 11 new businesses launch each day. It’s an honour to be able to give the Black Business community in the region a show that celebrates this.’
Early-bird tickets and exhibition stands are on sale now. Further details can be found at www.birminghamblackbusinessshow.co.uk
Media Contacts
Laura Bazile – Marketing and Communications
UK Black Business Show
info@ukblackbusinessshow.co.uk
UK Black Business Show
UK Black Business Show Limited is the leading, Black-owned network for the Black entrepreneur and career professional. The UK Black Business Show and related brands (UK Black Business Week, Birmingham Black Business Show, Black Tech Achievement Awards) aim to develop, empower, inspire and recharge Black business owners, professionals and allies of the Black community.
