Wray & Nephew, in partnership with Foundervine, has launched its first ‘Wray Forward Powerbook’; a list that spotlights 25 Black and Mixed-Black business owners transforming the norms of enterprise in the UK.
The Wray Forward Powerbook has been designed both to celebrate and highlight the incredible achievements of the individuals behind UK Black Businesses and to inspire the next generation of Black entrepreneurs. Curated by a panel of seven independent judges after a competitive selection process of Wray Forward programme participants, the list covers a diverse range of sectors, backgrounds, business size and location.
Underscoring the remarkable achievements each winner has accomplished, each business on the Wray Forward Powerbook has been chosen for showcasing impressive growth, including revenue, headcount and fundraising. The accolade underscores each winner’s remarkable achievements and tenacity in an industry that is traditionally more difficult for Black people to succeed in.
The winners of the Wray Forward Powerbook are:
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Abigail Maria Sol Deya |
Adedapo Dalley Events Meets World |
Ali Kakande Carib Eats |
Anne McGregor Cinnamon Leaf |
Antony Gutsa Ecoswap |
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Carl Davis Living In Fitness |
Cecile Bentil-Willieson Just Fab Kitchen |
Elizabeth Akinfenwa Liz Pie Pastry |
Erika Brodnock Kinhub |
Gbemi Shitta SweetDoughThings |
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Jodienne Ball BakeYard |
Kufa Matiya Futurematch |
Kwame Boateng Ingrained Oil |
Laurelle Brown Laurelle Brown Training and Consultancy |
Lee McPherson HEYR |
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Leila Davis Blackstage Pole |
Mweemba Ntembe Tammwe |
Nadu Placca Rodriguez The Zoo XYZ |
Natalie Dinning Lesley’s Sauces |
Nigel Atta-Mensah New Comma |
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Patrice Hinds Pat & Pinky’s |
Samantha Newell Yard + Parish |
Sashaa Malka London |
Serena Grillo Off Piste Ski Trip |
Skye Round Atlantis Modeling Agency |
The Powerbook is an extension of the Wray Forward programme, an initiative that supports Black founders across the UK by providing access to funding, educational workshops, mentorship opportunities and networking events. The programme has supported over 3,800 entrepreneurs across 23 industries over the past two years, and continues to provide practical and financial opportunities to Black business owners across the country.
The launch comes as research commissioned by Wray & Nephew reveals Black business owners are six-times more likely to believe their race has negatively impacted their efforts in kickstarting a business compared to their white counterparts (22% vs. 3%). Over three-quarters (73%) of Black business owners have found it challenging to raise funds to kickstart their business, compared to just 46% of their non-Black counterparts.
The figures also reveal three-quarters (77%) of Black business owners lack the confidence to take their business to the next level, and are over twice more likely than their white counterparts to struggle with understanding structuring (25% vs. 10%) and accessing mentorship (23% vs. 8%), further compounding the challenges that Black business owners face.
With Wray & Nephew marking the third year of its Wray Forward programme with Foundervine, further results show over a third (34%) of Black founders have used business kickstarter initiatives, such as the Wray Forward programme, to help support on their business journey.
“As a Black founder in the UK, it’s not a case of “whether” you’re going to face hurdles but instead “when” are you going to face them. You’re less likely to have the right network to build successfully, less likely to have the financial capital, and less empowered with the right information. Those that have successfully navigated these hurdles have had to go over and above with their efforts and deserve recognition, not just for themselves, but to allow others following in their tracks to believe, “I can do it too”. The Wray Forward Powerbook is sowing seeds of belief into the community and building better futures for Black businesses.”
Cecil Adjalo, Co-Founder at Foundervine
For more information on the Wray Forward Powerbook and its 25 winners, head to https://bit.ly/3ZFU6d4.
To find out more about the Wray Forward programme and how you can get involved, visit https://www.foundervine.com/wray-forward.
