Ajaz Ahmed is best known for being the founder of Freeserve, which was once the UK’s largest ISP and is now known as Orange broadband. He came up with the idea when he bought a computer and nobody in the store could tell him how to get into the internet, the rest, as they say, is history. He persuaded Dixons to launch Freeserve and it was eventually sold by Dixons to France Telecom for ￡1.6bn.

Alison Benn is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the IMechE, with extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry. A skilled project manager (APM qualified), Alison has led global teams delivering new supply chains, technical transfers, and product launches. She’s held senior roles at AstraZeneca, including Project Director for External Sourcing & Manufacturing. Recognised as a Northern Power Women Game Changer (2025), Alison is passionate about promoting women in STEM. Her leadership spans engineering, operations, and mentoring, with a strong track record in cross-functional collaboration in high-performance environments.

In 2012, Amy Cunningham set up The Strings Club with a Prince’s Trust loan and a belief in music’s transformative power. What began as a small holiday camp for six children has grown into a multi-award-winning company operating in 20 UK locations, inspiring almost half a million children. Her mission is to create impact through music, empower families, and champion flexible work—offering free childcare to her team. Recognised with awards including Businesswoman of the Year, Amy continues to break barriers while bringing the joy of music to children nationwide.

Recently retired Customer Experience Director, Small Business Banking, HSBC UK Debra White has been a Retail and Commercial Banker with HSBC Group for the last 40 years and in September 2016 took on the national role of Customer Experience Director for Business Banking Small Business. Previously Debra was the Regional Director for Small Business in the North region.

Debra spent three years as a Retail Area Manager developing a team of twenty Branch Managers in West Yorkshire and leading the Premier and Wealth proposition. Following this Debra was a Retail Branch Manager at key flagship branches in Huddersfield, York and then became a Branch Director in Leeds City delivering strategy and leading a customer service ethos. In her retirement Debra is now the secretary and volunteer at a local foodbank and NHS Responder.

Dr. Carol Marsh OBE is the Engineering Director at Celestia-UK, and innovated SME, who have developed the world’s first Ka-Band Electronically Scanned Phase Array Antenna Gateway.

Dr. Marsh has been a dedicated STEM volunteer since 2005. She serves as a STEM Ambassador, is a passionate STEM speaker, Vice President of the Royal Scottish Society of Arts (RSSA), Trustee of the Institution of Engineers in Scotland (IES) and Edinburgh Trades Funds and Deacon of the Incorporation of Hammermen of Edinburgh. She is Past President of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) and past Vice President and Trustee of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

Her achievements are significant; a winner of many technology and diversity awards, including the Forward Ladies (Novi) Leadership STEM Leader of the Year Award in 2023, she was named Strathclyde University’s Alumni of the Year in 2022, received an Honorary Doctorate from Edinburgh Napier University in 2023, was inducted into the Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame in 2023, and was awarded an OBE in 2020 for her contributions to Diversity and Inclusion in Electronic Engineering.

She graduated with an HND in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from ENU in 1985 and earned a Doctor of Engineering in System Level Integration from the Universities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt, and Strathclyde in 2011, making her an alumnus of five Scottish universities.

Effie Blankson is a multi-award-winning social justice advocate, entrepreneur and Chartered Manager with over 20 years of strategic leadership. She co-founded Basingstoke Unites Against Racism and created the Stop and Search Awareness and Advocacy Programme, recognised for educating young people and building trust with police. As Chair of Kikoi Connection, she leads cultural and civic milestones including Black History Month Basingstoke and the Community Achievers Awards. She champions women-led businesses and digital education in Ghana. Passionate about people achieving their potential while having fun, Effie inspires all to see themselves as changemakers.

Elizabeth is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of leadership in digital transformation and business innovation. She champions social inclusion, economic empowerment, and diversity in leadership, particularly in the tech and digital sectors.

She advises the UK Government on SME policy, procurement reforms, and international trade, contributing to agreements like the UK-Singapore Digital Economy Deal and Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement. She is also an Export Champion for the Department for Business and Trade and a member of the Prime Minister’s Business Council.

Elizabeth actively supports regional economic growth through her roles in The Open University, Digital Leaders, the Bank of England Agents Network, and various Northern Powerhouse initiatives.

Erica is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) with over 20 years of experience in professional services, spanning top-tier firms including Accenture, PwC, Grant Thornton, and currently Alvarez & Marsal.
As COO of the Private Equity Performance Improvement (PEPI) practice, she plays a critical role in driving strategic execution, optimising business operations, and managing cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact results.

A skilled people leader and trusted partner to both internal and external stakeholders, Erica fosters high-performance cultures and builds collaborative relationships across all levels of the business. Her strengths lie in managing risk and championing operational excellence in fast-paced, high-growth environments.

Outside of work, Erica is a proud mother of two boys (and two dogs) and a passionate advocate for gender equity in the workplace. She is deeply committed to mentoring and empowering women to achieve their full potential in leadership and beyond.

Fabienne Viala is an accomplished board director and former CEO with over 35 years’ experience leading construction, energy, and services across the UK and France. As Chair and CEO of Bouygues UK and UK Country Manager for Bouygues Construction, she delivered major hospitals, universities, and regeneration projects, while driving transformation, sustainability, and inclusion.

Beyond her executive career, Fabienne has served on the boards of Build UK, Durham University Business School, and the French Chamber of Great Britain, where she was President through a period of profound change.

At heart, Fabienne believes that business is about people and trust. A family person and animal lover, she is passionate about building inclusive environments where individuals can thrive. She founded the first women’s network in the construction sector in France and continues to champion diversity and young talent. Her contributions have been recognised with the title Officier de la Légion d’Honneur, France’s highest honour.

Gillian is Head of Philanthropy for The Open University and brings over 11 years’ experience in fundraising for the higher education sector, working with a diverse range of trusts and foundations, corporate organisations and private indivdiuals. Gillian grew up near Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire and is passionate about supporting the local area, having served as trustee to a local youth mental health charity, as a school governor and editor of her villages parish magazine. She lives in a small village near the city, with her partner and Kira the dog.

Gisela Abbam FRSA is the Chair of the General Pharmaceutical Council – the regulator for the 90,000 plus Pharmacy profession in Great Britain, and former Chair of the British Science Association. She is the Senior Director for Government Affairs at Revvity, a global Life Sciences and Diagnostics corporation. She also serves on the Boards of the Bar Standards Board – the regulator for Barristers and Briyah Institute, USA. Gisela is the Founder and former Managing Director of OTGA Management Consultancy. Gisela is a Commissioner for the National Preparedness Commission in UK. 

She has worked in conjunction with the WHO, World Bank and the UN to improve health outcomes globally. She has presented to and advised Presidents, Prime Ministers and Ministers.

Gisela was named one of the 100 Women to Watch for FTSE 350 Boards. Gisela was the winner of the 2019 Black British Business Person of the Year Award. She was awarded Iconic Woman creating a better World for All by the Women Economic Forum. In 2018, Gisela was awarded Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce for her contribution to social change.

Previously, she was the Director of Strategic Partnerships and a Company Officer for Abt Associates, one of the top 20 global research and evaluation companies.
Gisela was also previously the inaugural Global Executive Director for Government Affairs & Policy for General Electric Healthcare. She developed the global function. She was responsible for the strategic direction of government affairs and policy for GE Healthcare, the $18 billion business unit of GE that provides transformational medical technologies to health customers in over 100 countries. She was part of the leadership team that set up the Centre for Public Health Excellence at NICE.

Gisela has written over 50 white papers on various public policy issues.

Gloria Tabi is an author, researcher, and hair justice advocate. As the recipient of the 2024 Legendary Award (African Australians NSW) and the 2022 Social Justice Award (Nelson Mandela Day Australia), she is known for shaping conversations at the intersection of race, identity, and culture. In her new groundbreaking book, ENOUGH, Gloria weaves memoir with manifesto, courage with conviction, offering a path to healing for anyone who has ever felt unseen, unheard, or unworthy. Her leadership is heart-driven, her message uncompromising, and her impact lasting.

Greg Turner-Smart is Head of Culture & Inclusion at Rolls-Royce SMR. Greg spent much of his earlier career in Engineering roles within Civil Aerospace before launching Prism, an LGBTQ+ employee network in a global organisation. Following success with Prism, Greg became Group Inclusion and Diversity Lead in 2020, supporting the delivery of a global inclusion strategy. In 2022, Greg joined Rolls-Royce SMR as Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Manager, before being promoted to his current role that also includes accountability for Engagement, Nuclear Safety Culture and Wellbeing. Amongst other achievements, Greg was winner of the Diversity and Inclusion Award at the 2023 Nuclear Skills Awards, and he collected the ED&I Award on behalf of Rolls-Royce SMR at the 2025 Global IChemE Awards. 

Jessica was born in Zimbabwe and moved to the UK over 20 years ago where she went on to work as a Healthcare Assistant while training to be a Registered Mental Health Nurse. After working as a Mental Health Nurse, Jessica took on the role of a Care Home Manager, it is from here that she saw the need for high quality agency workers in healthcare and so she started Moonrise 24hr Recruitment in July 2014. Over the last decade Jessica and her team have seen the business grow and expand into other areas including Domiciliary Care, Supported Living, Complex Care and Children’s Services with the future holding more opportunities in these areas.

Karen was a senior partner and worked for PwC for 27 years, joining in 1997, becoming a director in 2008 and being admitted as Partner in 2015. She was a Member of PwC UK’s Supervisory Board in 2021 for 4 years. Within PwC Karen had a number of leadership roles including, lead client partner for NHS National Bodies, Regions Lead for Government and Health Industries and leading the Internal Audit Practice across the North of England. Karen has also successfully coached and mentored people both within and outside of PwC to support their personal growth, progression and self development.

Karen has also held positions on the Board of Governors at Sheffield Hallam University and as Chair of the Audit Committee and Doncaster Children’s Services Trust. She is passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion, and was awarded the Senior Leader in Professional Services at the British Black Business Awards in 2018 and named Partner of the Year at the Yorkshire Accountancy Awards in 2019, significantly contributing to PwC winning the award for Diversity and Inclusion at the Yorkshire Accountancy Awards.

I believe in the power of community to change lives. With experience leading organisations, programmes, and teams in the charity, international development, and policy sectors, I’ve worked to strengthen not-for-profits so they can be impactful, accountable, and heard. In 2016, I co-founded Link UP London to bridge the gap between small charities that are often under-resourced and professionals who want to use their skills to help but don’t know how. Through short-term, skilled volunteering, we make it easier for people to give back in meaningful ways while helping charities do their vital work even better.

Lara is a seasoned financial services chief legal officer, general counsel, and company secretary with international experience. She’s skilled in regulatory, payments, enterprise risk management, consumer protection, SME law, offshore, employee relations (contentious and non-contentious), corporate transactions, and commercial banking. An Independent Non-Executive Director at PensionBee Group plc, a Board Trustee at Shaw Trust, a Contributing Editor, at LexisNexis Encyclopaedia of Banking Law, and a Fellow of The RSA. ‘Business Woman of the Year’ & ‘Corporate Leader’, 2018 FL National Awards. Ranked in The Lawyer Hot 100 2021. BBBA Financial Services Senior Leader of the Year 2021, ‘Woman in Legal’ winner of the 2022 Women4Africa Awards. Formerly, Zepz’s Chief Legal Officer and Group General Counsel, Contis General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer, legal director at Klarna, senior legal counsel at Barclays and BAE Systems, a divisional counsel at RAC, a legal director at HBOS (Lloyds Banking Group) and Group Head of Legal at Lex (Lex Autolease). Former co-opted member of the University of Cambridge Council Committee (CBELA) that advised the Vice-Chancellor on benefactions. A solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales and a barrister of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. A law graduate (LL.B Hons) of the University of Lagos with an LL.M in Comparative Company Law.

Lisa assumed the role of Head of BTC UK & Ireland in January 2016. She is also a member of the BASF Plc Leadership team. Having a strong passion for diversity & inclusion, Lisa represents BASF with WISE (Women in Science and Engineering). She also currently Chairs the Executive Committee for BACS (British Association for Chemical Specialities)

Her working career started as a Laboratory Technician at Magnesium Elektron (part of British Alcan) and then as a Sales Correspondent at Degussa Ltd.

Having joined the Fine Chemical Sales business at BASF plc in 1989, Lisa was delegated to Switzerland between 2001-2004 where she was North Europe Aroma Chemicals Manager. On her return to the UK she became Head of Sales Detergents & Formulators for BTC UK, BASF’s in-house chemical distribution company.

Louise Jenkins is a Managing Director with Alvarez & Marsal Tax, LLP in London and leads the People Services Team in the UK which comprises of specialists in Equity Reward, Employment Tax, Executive Compensation and PRP (People, Reward & Performance). She has more than 30 years of experience advising companies on equity reward and employment tax matters, with particular expertise in equity incentive plans and tax-efficient, performance-driven long-term incentives for senior executives.

Louise has worked across all sectors with a particular focus on Private Equity backed businesses and other clients ranging from FTSE 250 and AIM-listed companies to international groups, start-ups, and privately owned companies.

She also advises on management equity incentive plans in transactions, supporting shareholders and management teams on complex deals for both vendors and purchasers, including multi-jurisdiction arrangements.

Trusted business partner and value added advisor to the boards and executive management teams, who succeeded in efficiently securing multi-million global deals, by drafting, negotiating and closing long-term global client and supplier contracts. creative problem solver, who as a transformational though leader improved and redesigned cross- functional processes and forms to drive profits. proactive enthusiastic self starter with a can-do approach, a pragmatic judgement, a growth mindset and high ethical and compliance values, while also a team player inspiring and collaborating effectively with other legal team members and cross-functional business teams, travelled and lived in different countries (USA, Near East, Africa and Europe) to learn language and experience new cultures Earlier career: Group Legal Officer, AVP, EMEA Associate General Counsel Languages: English, French, Dutch, German

Mivy is Chief Technology Officer for Defence, driving innovation, governance, and collaboration to transform the sector’s digital capabilities. With over 30 years as an IT professional, Mivy blends deep technical expertise with strategic leadership to accelerate technology adoption and systemic change. A trustee of a not-for-profit, they champion ethical governance and community impact. Mivy is also a passionate advocate for diversity in tech, fostering inclusive environments that empower underrepresented voices. Their empathetic, results-driven approach has earned recognition across industry and government. Mivy’s work exemplifies how digital transformation, when led with purpose, can power national resilience and operational excellence.

Nikita Thakrar is the Founder & CEO of Included VC, the world’s first fully funded global venture capital institute dedicated to breaking barriers to entry in the VC industry. She is deeply committed to transforming the venture capital industry by ensuring that underrepresented talent isn’t just included, but is actively shaping the future of the sector. By focusing on sustainable, long-term change, Included VC is setting a new benchmark for how the industry operates, and who gets to be part of it. Nikita is also an Obama Leader, has been recognised on Management Today’s 35 Under 35, and received the Asians in Tech Pioneers Award.

Ruby Raut, a Nepali-born environmentalist, is the co-founder and CEO of WUKA (Wake Up Kick Ass), the UK’s first reusable period underwear brand. Raised in Nepal, she experienced harmful menstrual taboos firsthand, sparking her lifelong commitment to menstrual equity and sustainability. Through WUKA, Ruby challenges single-use period products and breaks the silence around menstrual health. She has pioneered innovative, eco-friendly alternatives that empower people and protect the planet. Ruby’s work bridges climate action, social justice, and gender equity. Her mission is to drive real, lasting change—using business as a force for good and advocacy to shift cultural conversations.

Usha Kong is the co-founder of novi FUTURES and an award-winning advocate for social mobility and youth empowerment. With lived experience of navigating and overcoming cultural and systemic barriers, Usha is a powerful leader driving equity, inclusion, and meaningful access for young people.

She is dedicated to creating a world where every young person feels seen, heard, and able to thrive.