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JUDGES
Judging Committee
See members of the Black Talent Awards Judging Committee below. Click on a member to visit their Linkedin profile.
Our Judges
Below is our roster of judges for the event. They were handpicked as the best placed individuals to assess the nominees and ensure each award ended up in worthy hands. Click on a judge to visit their Linkedin profile.
Andrew Bostock
Birmingham Office Senior Partner
Andrew is the Birmingham Office Senior Partner, overseeing 1,500 Midlands staff. A qualified accountant with 29 years’ experience, he leads client relationships and internal audits across public sector bodies, including hospitals and councils. He previously headed the UK public sector audit practice and Midlands consulting team.
Andrew is the Birmingham Office Senior Partner, overseeing 1,500 Midlands staff. A qualified accountant with 29 years’ experience, he leads client relationships and internal audits across public sector bodies, including hospitals and councils. He previously headed the UK public sector audit practice and Midlands consulting team.
Annisha Taylor
Head of Diversity | BBC
A highly experienced People & Change leader specialising in the creation of distinctive strategies that promote inclusivity, champion diversity and address inequalities. Annisha cultivates environments which enable individuals and teams to thrive, grow and achieve compelling results.
A highly experienced People & Change leader specialising in the creation of distinctive strategies that promote inclusivity, champion diversity and address inequalities. Annisha cultivates environments which enable individuals and teams to thrive, grow and achieve compelling results.
Aphra Brooks-Barnes
Chief People Officer | PlatformX Communications
Aphra is Chief People Officer at PlatformX Communications, known for her leadership in telecoms and energy. She champions inclusivity and equity, serving as senior sponsor for BAME and Neurodiverse networks, and driving meaningful workplace change across the UK and global sectors.
Aphra is Chief People Officer at PlatformX Communications, known for her leadership in telecoms and energy. She champions inclusivity and equity, serving as senior sponsor for BAME and Neurodiverse networks, and driving meaningful workplace change across the UK and global sectors.
Bernadette Thompson OBE FCIPD
Director of People & Culture | North Middlesex Hospital - Royal Free NHS Trust
Director of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at King’s College NHS Trust. With over 23 years’ experience in government and healthcare, she is a nationally recognised leader in culture change and race equality, and an award-winning speaker, trainer, and passionate advocate for inclusive leadership.
Director of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at King’s College NHS Trust. With over 23 years’ experience in government and healthcare, she is a nationally recognised leader in culture change and race equality, and an award-winning speaker, trainer, and passionate advocate for inclusive leadership.
Caroline Mayhead
People Director | Serco
Caroline has over 20 years HR experience across a variety of industries and disciplines. She has worked for household names including John Lewis and Waitrose.
Caroline has over 20 years HR experience across a variety of industries and disciplines. She has worked for household names including John Lewis and Waitrose.
Claire Lawson
Claire is the UK Commercial Excellence Director at Merlin Entertainments, leading retail and F&B strategies. With 23 years' experience, she enhances guest experiences while driving profitability. A qualified executive coach, she is passionate about mentoring and developing emerging talent in the industry.
Dan Braithwaite
Dan Braithwaite, Managing Director of two Pertemps Network Group brands, rose from apprentice to leader through dedication and passion for recruitment. Starting at 17, he advanced from Administrator to MD, driving success in catering and hospitality. A committed mentor, Dan champions young talent, inspiring others while shaping teams and businesses across the industry.
David Carrigan
Group Director of Diversity,
Inclusion & Wellbeing | Sky
A proven diversity leader
with a passion for driving change in organisations that may need support in realising their ambitions for diversity.
Inclusion & Wellbeing | Sky
A proven diversity leader
with a passion for driving change in organisations that may need support in realising their ambitions for diversity.
Dominique Sidley
VP Global Indirect Sales | Merlin Entertainments
Dominique Sidley is VP of Global Indirect Sales at Merlin Entertainments and a Non-Executive Director at the RAF Museums Enterprise Board. With a 30-year global career, she is an inclusive leader passionate about strategic sales, equity, and mentoring, with personal interests in faith and sheep farming.
Dominique Sidley is VP of Global Indirect Sales at Merlin Entertainments and a Non-Executive Director at the RAF Museums Enterprise Board. With a 30-year global career, she is an inclusive leader passionate about strategic sales, equity, and mentoring, with personal interests in faith and sheep farming.
Our Youth Judges
Tiffany Sobowale
Tiffany Sobowale is a University of Warwick graduate in Global Sustainable Development and Business Studies, and an incoming management consulting analyst. A former Sponsorship Officer for The Black Women’s Project, she is passionate about championing underrepresented talent and aims to inspire excellence and visibility as a Black Talent Awards judge.
Shekinnah Wilberforce
Shekinnah is a dedicated youth advocate in Greater Manchester and the UK. As Digital and Communications Officer at Young Manchester, she previously led national youth engagement at NCS. With experience in digital media and inclusivity, she champions youth voices locally and internationally, shaping policy and inspiring change.
El-Tariq Macaulay
El-Tariq graduated from the University of Essex in 2024 with a BSc in Business Management. He works as a Client Services Consultant for Private Equity Funds and is an avid footballer, having captained Hertfordshire County, Essex University First Team, played semi-professionally, and represented Crystal Palace Academy.
Nicholai Corbie
Nicholai is a Senior Technology Consultant in Data & AI at EY. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, he holds an MSc in Advanced Chemical and Process Engineering. Since 2022, he has combined his scientific background with tech expertise to deliver impactful Data & AI solutions.
Nathan John
Nathan is a Confidence and Communication Specialist empowering Gen Z professionals to overcome self-doubt and communicate boldly. A multi-award-winning consultant, he delivers inspiring keynotes and workshops, helping young talent build confidence and stand out in their careers and industries.
Michelle Lewis
Michelle, aka CommerChelle, is a silver linings specialist all about nurturing growth. With an “unconventionally useful” career trajectory, she pays it forward by supporting the next gen of young leaders in hospitality & sales, and serves on the board for Future Faces GBCC.
Annabelle Olabode
Oyinkansola Annabelle Olabode is a 2nd-year Pharmacology student and ambassador at King’s College London. Passionate about applying science to improve healthcare equality, she tutors part-time and volunteers for Save the Children. In her free time, she enjoys reading and exploring museums.
David Taiwo
David Taiwo graduated from Norwich University, USA, with a degree in International Business and a basketball scholarship. He is now a Sales Associate at Six Degrees, specializing in IT solutions for small accounts, passionate about connecting people with technology to solve problems and drive meaningful change.
Denzel Dodoo
Denzel Dodoo is a Claims Adjuster at Convex Insurance with a Politics and International Studies degree from the University of Warwick. Passionate about mentorship, he encourages young people to explore new spaces. Outside work, he writes a Substack on life and culture, committed to personal growth and helping others.
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