The UK BBEC 2023 - Highlights

UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference 2023: speakers share insights on how to breakthrough and excel the barriers to entry

The UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference (BBEC23) wrapped up on 13th July 2023 after a bountiful list of inspiring speakers, shared thought-provoking stories, research, and discussions, for the 100s of entrepreneurs who attended the conference from across the UK.

The conference, held at the NatWest HQ in the City of London, featured a lineup of speakers from a variety of industries, including construction, retail, tech, finance, and media. Speakers shared their insights, vision, and lived experience on how to level up black businesses, overcome challenges, and build successful companies.

The lineup of speakers did not disappoint; from world-renowned historian Dr. David Olusoga, construction maven and trailblazer Roni Savage, Lord Hastings, Chair of the Black Business Association, Kriss Akabusi MBE, and Ernst Young, Global Director ESG & Enablement Services (ESGES) at EY, Theresa Harrison. The event was a display of excellence.

This was additionally realised within the ‘Pitch for Success’ breakout room, where seven independent businesses pitched their products to buyers from the UK’s largest and most prestigious retail brands, such as Tesco, Selfridges, Cotswold Fayre, and online retailer Wakuda, where the brands receive the opportunity to be positioned on the shelves of these High Street giants.

Jan Merchant, MD Home and Clothing at Tesco stated that: “I am delighted to be here today and we’ve come as a Tesco Team. I’m excited to meet people, talk to other businesses, but also to meet some new suppliers. So our objective is to serve customers, communities, and the planet a little better every day, and as part of that commitment we’ve got some unmet needs within our product offer and to meet those needs we know that black businesses can really play their part.”

These sentiments were also echoed by Adrian Boswell, Selfridges, and Co Buyer; Cheese & Deli; Health & Wellbeing; Foods of the World - “The UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference is an extremely important event for the community to network, share experiences and support each other. I feel privileged that I was asked to take part in the Meet the Buyer Pitch for Success breakout session. Giving up-and-coming brands is vitally important to ensure they have an understanding of how the industry works, and the expectations from a variety of professionals within the field.”

One of the key themes of the conference was the importance of access to capital. Many black entrepreneurs spoke about the challenges they face in getting funding for their businesses. They called on lenders and investors to do more to support black businesses. However, the rallying cry from Eric Collins, from Channel 4 “Money Maker Series” to stop asking for permission, Tevin Tobin, Jacy Stewart, and Izzy Obeng who eloquently shared the importance of believing in yourself and having the right mindset, also support the delegates to resonate in a real tangible way.

"The UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference is a truly wonderful showcase of black entrepreneurship in the UK and the place to be to make solid business connections, promote your business, to learn, and be inspired by incredible guest speakers. Congratulations to Dr. Carlton Brown and the team on putting on another excellent event!" Eric Collins, CEO, of Impact X, author of 'We Don't Need Permission: How Black Business Can Change Our World'

The BBEC23 was a valuable opportunity for black entrepreneurs to learn, network, and connect with other like-minded individuals and organisations, such as the London Chamber of Commerce (Black Business Association), MSDUK, Be The Business, and NatWest. The conference is also a step towards, engaging and developing the conversation, with the public, private, and third-sector organisations, to focus on levelling up black businesses and creating a more equitable economy.



Dr. Carlton Brown, author of the 2021 report which was the genesis of the conference stated:
“The UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference 2023 is designed to increase the awareness of the challenges experienced by Black entrepreneurs within the UK, but also the look at the opportunities for greater access to the supply chain and networks.


Ethnic minority businesses (EMBs) contribute a staggering £25 billion to the UK economy and Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups account for more than £300 billion in purchasing power opportunities. The public sector spends about £290 billion a year through public procurement, however, according to a recent study EMBs attract less than 1% of corporate and public sector spending. (Delight Consulting,2022)


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