Black Business Awards given to rising stars

An orthopaedic surgeon, a screenwriter and a musician were today named among the winners at the 2016 Black British Business Awards.

The ceremony, at the Grange St Paul’s Hotel, honours the members of the black business community and is backed by the Evening Standard.

The awards, in their third year, celebrate leaders and rising stars in the financial services, media and arts, professional services, science and technology and consumer and luxury goods sectors, as well as entrepreneurs.

The Image award went to consultant orthopaedic surgeon Samantha Zoisa Tross. The judges praised her “record of excellence that has made a lasting and positive contribution to the reflection of people of African and Caribbean heritage in Britain”.

Bloomberg’s black professionals community was presented with the Network Impact award for championing diversity and inclusion throughout the organisation, while judges chose double bassist Chi-chi Nwanoku as Black British Business Person of 2016.

She founded the Chineke! Foundation, which provides career opportunities to young black and minority ethnic classical musicians in the UK and Europe.

Speakers at today’s event included former shadow secretary of state for business, innovation and skills Chuka Umunna and senior executives from some of the most prominent global corporations operating in the UK.

Theresa May and Sadiq Khan were among those who paid tribute to those selected. The Prime Minister said: “All the nominees should be incredibly proud of their achievements and I wish them all the best of luck with their future endeavours.”

The Mayor said: “These awards showcase exceptional talent by promoting and celebrating the achievements of black people in businesses.”

Melanie Eusebe, chairman and co-founder of the Black British Business Awards, said the winners were “evidence of the wealth of talent from the black community contributing substantially to the UK’s economy”.