The Black Talent Awards (BTA) has unveiled its 2026 finalists as the national platform prepares to mark its fifth anniversary, celebrating five years of recognising Black professional achievement, leadership, entrepreneurship and impact across the UK.

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 BTA's, 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 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."

The Black Talent Awards provide a powerful platform to celebrate the exceptional contributions and achievements of Black professionals, leaders, entrepreneurs and creatives across our communities."

"Supporting their stories matters because representation matters; it inspires the next generation and helps us build inclusive organisations and communities. 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."

“Bringing the Awards back to Edgbaston Stadium for our fifth anniversary is incredibly meaningful because this is where The BTA's started. The story is now national."

“Chapter Five is about celebrating how far we have come, recognising the people who are shaping Britain today, and looking ahead to the next chapter.”

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 visit here.