Nominations now open for Black British Business Awards 2022

Nominations are now officially open for the ninth annual Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards), closing on the 22nd of March.

The awards shine a light on exceptional Black business professionals and entrepreneurs in a range of occupations, such as editors, litigation lawyers, master tailors and creative directors.

Established in 2014, the awards highlight the commercial excellence of Black professionals and entrepreneurs from six industries. The six sectors open for nominations in both the Rising Stars and Senior Leaders categories are:

• Arts and Media
• Consumer and Luxury
• Entrepreneurial (businesses must have been operational for 18+ months prior to April 2022)
• Financial Services
• Professional Services
• STEM

Nomination criteria and how to apply

As mentioned above, nominations will close on the 22nd March and candidates can apply directly via the BBBAwards website.

There are two categories that individuals can be nominated under: Rising Star and Senior Leader.

Rising Star

This category is accepting nominations for a Black professional who has done exceptional things within the business they operate or work for. The BBBAwards defines a rising star as a ‘leader amongst their peers who exceeds expectations as a culture carrier – the one to watch’.

Keep in mind that the nominee should be aged 35 or under on Thursday 30th June 2022.

Senior Leader

Recognised by industry observers as an expert in their field, a nominated senior leader will be outstanding in their role. They must be a senior manager operating at a strategic level in their business, and as the BBBAwards puts it, ‘a role model, inspiration and game changer’. There is no age requirement for this category, but as stated the nominee must be in a senior leadership role.

Once you’ve determined if the nominee is a Rising Star or a Senior Leader, you just need to follow these steps:

• Determine which category out of the six best fits the nominee’s career
• Select whether the nominee is an entrepreneur or professional
• Submit a nomination form – you can nominate yourself or someone else

Key dates for the awards

• Nomination deadline – 22nd March
• Judging day – 15th June
• Finalist announcement – 27th July
• Awards ceremony – 29th September

Sophie Chandauka MBE, executive founder and chair of the awards, is calling on individuals and organisations across the UK to put forward their best and brightest talent:

It will be an honour to recognise and reward those who have defied the odds and flourished in an economic and social landscape impacted by the pandemic, paving the way for future generations to follow in their footsteps.

Previous winners

Last year’s winners include Business Person(s) of the Year Edgar Chibaka and Jamal Tahlil, co-founders of First Response Group Ltd.

Their story is nothing short of inspiring. Both African immigrants, they started integrated facilities management company First Response back in 2007 from nothing. Fast forward to 2021 and the company turned over £25M in sales for July 2021 alone, employing over 500 people across multiple offices throughout the UK.

The Arts and Media Rising Star winner last year was Hannah Chukwu, assistant editor of Penguin Random House UK. Along with her extensive experience as an award-winning assistant editor at Hamish Hamilton, working with high-profile authors like Bernardine Evaristo and Zadie Smith, Hannah is also the editor for Five Dials magazine and the series editor for Black Britain: Writing Back.

In 2021 she won the LBF Trailblazer Award and was named on the EMpower Ethnic Minority Future Leader List.

Other awards opportunities for Black, Asian and minority professionals and entrepreneurs

The BBBAwards isn’t the only award celebrating the outstanding achievements of Black, Asian and minority professionals and entrepreneurs around the UK. Other award opportunities this year include:

• The Ethnicity Awards – celebrating and recognising individuals from the Black, Asian and minority ethnic UK business sector. Categories include ‘Inspirational Leader’, ‘Future Leader’ and ‘Workplace Hero’.
• Asian Business Awards – successful Asian entrepreneurs and businesses are honoured at this annual event. Award categories include ‘Asian Business of the Year’ and ‘Food and Business Drink Award’.