Pamela Maynard, the newly appointed Chief AI Transformation Officer at Microsoft Customer and Partner Solutions, has been named the 2024 Black British Business Person of the Year.
Maynard received the award at the 11th annual Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards), which celebrates the achievements of Black professionals and entrepreneurs across the UK.
Pamela Maynard, formerly CEO of Avanade, a Microsoft-Accenture joint venture, led the company to significant growth and secured its 18th Microsoft Partner of the Year title.
During her acceptance speech, Maynard emphasized the ongoing work to break down barriers and advance diversity in the industry.
“Together we are absolutely going to continue to destroy the stereotypes,” she stated according to The Telegraph. “Together we will create a future where diversity and inclusion will just be natural because that is what we will all aspire it to be.”
This year’s BBBAwards, under the theme #NEXT, honored 15 individuals across categories, recognizing leaders driving change in industries such as technology, finance, and the arts.
In addition to Maynard, special awards were given to Patrick Thomson, CEO for Europe, Middle East & Africa at JPMorgan Asset Management, who was named Ally of the Year, and Rob Anarfi, Chief Risk Officer at Beazley, who received the Impact Award for advancing Black professionals in the UK.
Other notable winners included Mike Williams, Co-Founder of Flake Bake Ltd, who was named Entrepreneur Rising Star, and Haddy Davies of Johnson Matthey, who took home the STEM Senior Leader award.
“Our BBBAwards winners are all paving the way for the next generation, proving that excellence knows no boundaries,” said Dr. Sophie Chandauka MBE, chair and executive founder of the BBBAwards.
Feature Image Credit: Avanade
