From the left: Cecil Peters, Pamela Maynard, Sophie Chandauka and Didier Lambert. Pictures: James Everett

Chief AI Transformation Officer for Microsoft Customer and Partner Solutions (MCAPS), which collaborates with customers and partners to drive digital transformation and business growth, has been named as this year’s Black British Business Person of the Year at the 2024 Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards).

Pamela Maynard, left, who this month transitioned to Microsoft as the Chief AI Transformation Officer for Microsoft Customer and Partner Solutions (MCAPS), most recently served as the CEO of Avanade, a Microsoft-Accenture digital innovation joint venture, for five years. During her tenure as CEO, she achieved a level of growth that consistently outpaced the market, earning the company Microsoft’s 2023 Partner of the Year for a record breaking 18th time. By building a people-first culture, Pamela consistently empowered her 60,000+ employees and modelled an employee experience that saw Avanade win more than 75 Best Places to Work awards. Pamela is the first Black female CEO who has led one of Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work. As the Chief AI Transformation Officer for MCAPS, Pamela will leverage Microsoft’s AI portfolio to drive internal transformation and work directly with customers to accelerate theirs.

At the evening ceremony, held at the InterContinental London Park Lane, the Black British Person of the Year Award was presented by Cecil Peters, the EMEA Head of DEI and Advancing Black Pathways at JPMorganChase.

Upon acceptance of her Award, Pamela said: “I think what is really important now is that we continue to take the energy from this room forward. There are many people in this room who have talked about the shoulders that we stand on, and I too believe that I stand on the shoulders of trailblazers that have come before me. I really look forward to working with so many, or seeing how so many of the people in this room progress as the trailblazers of the future, because boy is this incredibly inspiring.

“Thank you to all of you for what you do. Together we will absolutely continue to break down the barriers. Together we are absolutely going to continue to destroy the stereotypes. Together we will create a future where diversity and inclusion will just be natural because that is what will all aspire it to be”

The theme of this year’s BBBAwards is #NEXT. Now in its 11th year, the BBBAwards is marking a new decade of celebration of the outstanding achievements of Black professionals and entrepreneurs in the UK. #NEXT marks a generational shift in the Black community and business, acknowledging rising stars who are now poised to become the next generation of industry leaders and honouring those who defied the odds and fought hard to pave the way. To date, the BBBAwards have honoured over 330 Black British professionals and entrepreneurs. 

Dr Sophie Chandauka MBE, Chair and Executive Founder of the Black British Business Awards said: “I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to all the winners of the 2024 Black British Business Awards. In a time when the challenges we face in the UK and overseas are all too apparent, your success is a powerful reminder of the resilience, brilliance, and leadership within our community. The presence of strong women at the helm of British businesses is not only inspiring but essential. I am honoured to see the BBBAwards recognise Pamela Maynard as Business Person of the Year playing a global leadership role at the forefront of AI innovation at one of the most iconic and systemically important technology companies. Our BBBAwards winners are all paving the way for the next generation, proving that excellence knows no boundaries, and that, together, we can continue to reshape the future of British business.” 

Cecil Peters, Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in EMEA at JPMorganChase said: “As a long-time partner of the Black British Business Awards, we are deeply honoured to witness the incredible talent being spotlighted, particularly this year’s recognition of Pamela as a remarkable female leader in STEM. Her achievements represent the innovation, resilience, and excellence that define Black British business leadership today. In addition, with our very own Patrick Thomson winning the Ally of the Year Award, it is a reminder that we all must be in this together.  At JPMorganChase, we are committed to supporting initiatives that elevate diverse talent and break barriers across industries, and it’s a privilege to continue celebrating the brilliant minds shaping the future.” 

The BBBAwards also celebrated two special honorary awards, The Ally of the Year Award designed to recognise the work of senior Allies to the Black community who continue to strive for diversity and equality in business, and The Impact Award which is designed to honour an individual of African or Caribbean heritage who has made significant impact in elevating the visibility and reputation of Black professionals in the UK. The 2024 Ally of the Year Award went to Patrick Thomson, CEO Europe, Middle East & Africa at JPMorgan Asset Management. The 2024 Impact Award went to Rob Anarfi, Chief Risk Officer at Beazley. 

JPMorganChase returns for the fifth year as the Key Partner of the BBBAwards, for the seventh consecutive year The Daily Telegraph will continue its role as national Media Partner, joined by the Financial Times as the Business Media Partner.

Other significant sponsors include: Alix Partners, Baker McKenzie, Barclays, Bloomberg, Deloitte Goldman Sachs, L’Oréal, Morgan Stanley, MSCI, Oliver Wyman, Financial Times, the Stepstone Group, Wellington Management and Wells Fargo. Through their support of the BBBAwards, these organisations are demonstrating that race equity is a key priority as they celebrate the success of another cohort of finalists and winner during this year’s ceremony.

The BBBAwards gala recognised the achievements of Rising Stars and Senior Leaders across six industry sectors: Arts and Media, Consumer and Luxury, Entrepreneur, Financial Services, Professional Services, and STEM.

The winners of the 2024 BBBAwards are as follows:

Black British Business Person of the Year: Pamela Maynard, Chief AI Transformation Officer, Microsoft Customer and Partner Solution

Arts and Media Rising Star: Jimi Adesanya, Co-Founder and Executive Producer, JM Films & Unbound Studios

Arts and Media Senior Leader: Laura Henry-Allain MBE, Storyteller, Producer, Educationalist and Consultant, Allain Creatives

Consumer and Luxury Rising Star: Leon Francis, Senior Manager, Apple

Consumer and Luxury Senior Leader: Geoffrey Williams, VP Colleague Attraction & Inclusion, Burberry

Entrepreneur Rising Star: Mike Williams, Co-Founder, Flake Bake Ltd

Entrepreneur Senior Leader: Mark Dalgety, CEO, Caricom Products Ltd T/Z Dalgety Teas

Financial Services Rising Star: Khalia Ismain, Black Entrepreneurs Programme Manager, Lloyds Bank

Financial Services Senior Leader: Ize Idemudia, Managing Director, COO, Morgan Stanley

Professional Services Rising Star: Yeshua Carter, Senior Consultant, Founder of EY Outreach, EY

Professional Services Senior Leader: Liza Jordan, Managing Director, Accenture

STEM Rising Star: Tolu Falade, Production Team Leader, BP

STEM Senior Leader: Haddy Davies, Global Business Partner, Catalyst Technologies, Johnson Matthey

Ally of the Year: Patrick Thomson, CEO Europe, Middle East & Africa at JPMorgan Asset Management

Impact Award: Rob Anarfi, Chief Risk Officer at Beazley