Individual

Changemaker of the Year Award

The Changemaker of the Year Award is a prestigious accolade that honours a founder who has made a transformative and lasting impact on their industry.

Nominees

Beth Kume-Holland
Founder & CEO of Patchwork Hub
James Adeleke
Founder & CEO of Generation Success
Kojo Marfo
Founder of My Runway Group
Rafael Sofoluke
Founder & CEO of The UK Black Business Show
Vicky IIankovan
Executive Director at Equal Measures UK
Beth Kume-Holland

Beth Kume-Holland

I founded Patchwork Hub based on my experiences with disability to connect jobseekers with inclusive employers. Our services focus on embedding authentic disability inclusion and accessibility within organizations. As the sole founder and CEO, I've secured partnerships with leading UK organisations, including FTSE 100 companies and charities, and have raised over £250,000 in investment. Our efforts have promoted thousands of inclusive job opportunities, helped disabled job-seekers gain employment, and trained hundreds of employees in disability inclusion.
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James Adeleke

James Adeleke

As a business leader, I founded Generation Success, a social enterprise that has empowered over 10,000 young people from underrepresented backgrounds, facilitating 1,000 mentoring relationships annually and placing over 300 young people into full-time employment since 2021. I led a strategic pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling the organisation to grow by 259% and expand to 30 staff across two countries. I also launched the Race for Nature's Recovery initiative, placing 125 individuals from underrepresented groups into sustainability roles while promoting diversity within the environmental sector
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Kojo Marfo

Kojo Marfo

As a business leader, I achieved a significant milestone by establishing the first Black-owned department store in London's West End, located in Carnaby. This groundbreaking initiative provided a platform for over 200 Black-led businesses, enhancing their visibility and connecting them with diverse customers, including prominent figures like the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. Recognising the limitations of a physical store, I spearheaded the creation of an e-commerce platform that allows customers worldwide to support Black-owned businesses, extending our reach beyond geographical boundaries.
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Rafael Sofoluke

Rafael Sofoluke

As a visionary leader and serial entrepreneur, I founded the UK Black Business Show in 2017, which has grown to become the premier event for Black entrepreneurs, attracting over 10,000 attendees in 2023. This event evolved into UK Black Business Week, creating essential networking opportunities and showcasing the achievements of Black professionals. I have leveraged strategic partnerships to secure media exposure and sponsorships from major companies like HSBC and JP Morgan, enhancing the credibility of our initiatives. My work expanded beyond London with the launch of the Birmingham Black Business Show and the Black Tech Achievement Awards in the United States, further supporting Black professionals across various regions.
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Vicky IIankovan

Vicky IIankovan

Vicky Ilankovan is the founder of Equal Measures UK, a non-profit dedicated to equity in the hospitality and drinks industries. Starting as a beneficiary in 2021, she became the first full-time employee in 2022 and has since transformed the organisation into a high-performing entity, expanding its beneficiary pool from 21 to over 1,100 by August 2024. Her initiatives include innovative EDI services and the successful Forming Foundations program, which helps diverse individuals enter the industry.
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Other awards

Changemaker of the Year
Social Impact Leader
Consumer Brand of the Year
Good Investor of the Year
Businesswoman of the Year
Rising Star of the Year
Ally of the Year
Catalyst for Change
Platinum Sponsor
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