The Black Talent Awards (BTA) has unveiled its 2026 finalists – all 45 of them - as the national platform prepares to mark its fifth anniversary of recognising Black professional achievement, leadership, entrepreneurship and impact across the UK. Since its launch, over 95 individuals have been recognised.
Since its launch, the Black Talent Awards has recognised 95 winners across its programme. This year, more than 300 nominations were considered by an independent judging panel of 31 senior leaders drawn from sectors including law, technology, media, education and healthcare.
The judging process also included 10 youth judges as part of BTA’s commitment to developing the next generation of leaders and bringing an intergenerational perspective to the Awards.
The 2026 shortlist spans 15 categories, recognising professionals, entrepreneurs, employee networks and organisations working across industries including finance, STEM, education, professional services, media, public services, retail and social impact.
The winners will be announced at the black-tie Chapter Five ceremony at Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham, on 2 October 2026.
Five years of recognising Black talent
What began as a grassroots initiative in Birmingham has developed into a national platform celebrating Black achievement across sectors, career stages and communities.
The fifth anniversary provides an opportunity to recognise not only this year’s finalists, but the 95 individuals and organisations who have previously taken home a BTA award and the wider community that has developed around the Awards.
For the BTAs, the milestone represents the continued importance of creating visibility for Black professionals and providing a national platform where achievement can be recognised and celebrated.
Birmingham remains at the heart of that journey.
Returning to Edgbaston Stadium for its fifth anniversary, the BTA reinforces Birmingham’s role as an important centre for Black talent, entrepreneurship, leadership and community. A growing national coalition
The 2026 Awards are supported by organisations spanning banking, education, technology, automotive, entertainment, media and professional services.
Birmingham City University is headline sponsor, with Lloyds Banking Group as Gold Sponsor; Vision for All and FD2i as Bronze Sponsors; and AXIOM JV as Media Room Sponsor.
The Awards are further supported by Barclays Eagle Labs, Jaguar Land Rover, Merlin Entertainments, Purple Squared AV and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, bringing together a coalition of national and regional organisations reflecting the breadth of industries now investing in Black talent across the UK.
Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor, Birmingham City University - and headline sponsor added:
“Birmingham City University is proud to be the headline sponsor of this year’s Black Talent Awards. Being rooted in one of the UK’s most diverse cities means, we create opportunities for people from all backgrounds to succeed."
"At BCU, our mission is to create and share knowledge for a better and more inclusive society. We are delighted to stand alongside the Black Talent Awards in celebrating those who are breaking barriers, creating change and inspiring others. We look forward to celebrating their achievements together.”
Tim Campbell returns as BTA Ambassador
Entrepreneur, adviser and BBC’s original The Apprentice winner Tim Campbell MBE returns as official BTA Ambassador for 2026.
His continued involvement reflects the Awards’ commitment to placing experienced and successful Black professionals at the heart of a platform designed to celebrate achievement and inspire future generations.
Denise Myers, Founder of the Black Talent Awards, said:
“Chapter Five of the Black Talent Awards is about much more than reaching a five-year milestone. It is about recognising what happens when Black talent is seen, celebrated and given a platform."
“BTA started as a grassroots initiative in Birmingham and has grown into a national stage for professionals, entrepreneurs and organisations making a real difference across the UK. To have recognised 95 winners over those five years is something I am incredibly proud of."
“This year’s finalists represent the breadth of that journey. They are working in boardrooms, classrooms, businesses, communities and organisations across the country, demonstrating that Black excellence is not confined to one postcode.”
Finalists for the Black Talent Awards 2026
This year's finalists span 15 categories and represent employees, entrepreneurs, and organisations at every career stage:
Charity & Change Employee of the Year
Bob Clarke — MAMA Youth Project
Leila Thomas — Urban Synergy Youth Empowerment & Social Mobility Charity
Sarah Chitongo — Black Blossom Alliance CIC
Public Sector & Services Employee of the Year
Gianina Harvey-Brewin — University of Roehampton
Mark Corbin — West Midlands Combined Authority (Transport for West Midlands)
Sandra Simpson — Coventry City Council and West Midlands Associate Directors for Adult Social Care
Marketing, Media & Creative Employee of the Year
Joelle Owusu-Sekyere — Penguin Random House
Lee Dasilva — TUI
Myvanwy Evans-Davis — Louder Than Words
ERG (Employee Resource Group) of the Year
Barclays Bank UK PLC
Microsoft UK&I
TUI UK&I
Retail, Leisure & Supply Chain Employee of the Year
Alisha Cohen — McDonald's
Andrew Kyte — TUI
Marcus Hunter — Dunelm Plc
Rickey Devonish — JD Sports Group
Rising Star of the Year
Jenny Daniel — UKRI
Jessica-Mary Onuoha — Anglia Ruskin University
Nadia Kanyike — Amentum UK & International
Professional Services Employee of the Year
Dr Chris C Aniche PhD — Curling Moore Solicitors & Advocates
Emma Osman — Google Cloud
Kizzy Augustin — Mishcon de Reya
Small Business of the Year
Creative Rhino
Mahogany Inclusion Partners
Sandwell African Caribbean Mental Health Foundation
People & Culture Employee of the Year
Mabinty Esho — Comic Relief
Professor Amos Fatokun — Liverpool John Moores University, UK
Tiger de Souza — Macmillan
Senior Leader of the Year
Dr MaryAnn Ferreux — Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex
Kizzy Augustin — Mishcon De Reya
Tunji Akintokun — Pathos Communications plc
Entrepreneur of the Year
Aggie Yemurai Mutuma — Mahogany Inclusion Partners
Carla Willis-Brown — Syncdin
Simone Bell — Simone Bell Counselling
Excellence in Education
DGCL Digital Cloud Academy
SEN Bytes
The Open University
Social Impact Organisation of the Year
Black British Initiative (BBI)
VISION FOR ALL CIC
Walsall Black Sisters Collective
STEM Employee of the Year
Chinyere Simon — Deloitte
Kelvin Ibrahim — Citibank United Kingdom
Kwadwo Benko — Microsoft
Financial Services Employee of the Year
Alexander Matambo — Bloomberg
Carleen Dussard — Barclays Bank PLC
France-Lise Nsimba-Lay — Coutts
There will also be a Special Recognition Award and Trailblazer Award, which will both be announced on the night.
Find our more about the awards here.
