Main Stage
10.00 – 10.45
Headline Talk to be revealed...
10.50 – 11.35
Leveraging the Power of Corporate Entrepreneurship
Working within a large corporation doesn’t mean your entrepreneurial flare should be any dimmer. During this session, our panel of corporate leaders will discuss how their own tenacity and proactivity for the business helped them to achieve success and create a fulfilling career.
11.40 – 12.20
Launchpad Competition Sponsored by Lloyds Bank
Join the annual pitch competition, in partnership with Lloyds Bank, where 4 Black-owned businesses pitch live with a chance of winning a huge range of support benefits. Showcasing start-ups and entrepreneurs that are mission-driven, with the potential to have a high impact, this event will allow them to gain feedback, advice and mentorship from experts equipped to help them transform, scale and build success.
12.40 – 13.30
Cracking into the African-American Marketplace: How to Grow and Scale a Multi-Million Dollar International Business
13.35 – 14.20
Headline Talk to be revealed...
15.20 – 16.05
Headline Talk to be revealed...
JP Morgan Entrepreneurs Stage
10.05 – 10.15
Welcome to the JP Morgan Entrepreneurs Stage
10.15 – 10.45
Innovate and Thrive: What Does it Take to Become a Leading Global Black Entrepreneur
This panel brings innovative entrepreneurs and enterprises together to share how they are positioning themselves for success, and what they have learned from their experiences and challenges so far. Join this discussion to find out how they are ensuring their business can thrive in today’s and tomorrow’s competitive market and succeed on a global scale.
10.50 – 11.20
50 years of Feel Good Moments: How to Use McDonalds Franchising as a Pathway to Entrepreneurship
Franchising is a pathway to entrepreneurship and McDonald’s is proud to be one of the most recognised brands in the sector. In this session, you will learn more about franchising at McDonald’s and hear first-hand from our franchisees on how becoming a McDonald’s franchisee has empowered them to give back to their community and leverage diversity, equity and inclusion within their organisation while operating their business with a globally recognised brand.
11.25 – 12.05
New Frontiers: How to Grow Your Business Beyond the Borders
Mastering growth within the UK can be a challenge, but it’s just the start of your entrepreneurial journey. More businesses than ever are now able to tap into global communities and bring their products to untapped markets, reaching new levels. Join this session to hear from experts on how to approach international expansion and ensure sustained success in new markets.
12.15 – 13.05
Meet the Experts: Entrepreneurs Roundtables
13.15 – 14.00
Scaling Up: Unlocking Growth Potential for Black-Owned Businesses
Do you know what it takes to reach new heights for your business? This topic brings together experts on sustainable growth to help you gain the strategies and practices needed to take Black-owned businesses to the next level. Expect insight on scaling, securing investment and leveraging market expansion opportunities.
14.05 – 14.50
Authenticity Advantage: Transforming Cultural Identity into Business Success
Join us at the intersection of entrepreneurship and innovation on the transformative potential of embracing diversity as a business strategy. This panel, featuring remarkable Black entrepreneurs, will explore the infusion of cultural identities into brands and products, shedding light on how authenticity plays a pivotal role in shaping a more inclusive and vibrant business ecosystem. Moderated by Square, this discussion will delve deep into how embracing cultural identity can serve as a driving force behind the creation of inclusive, forward-thinking brands. If you’re one of the first 100 attendees, you’ll also receive a free Square Chip and Mobile Reader to help accelerate your business and empower you with top quality hardware.
14.55 – 15.40
BBC 1Xtra Talks Black Entrepreneurial Success
BBC 1Xtra will be recording a very special 1Xtra Talks hosted by Richie Brave from the Entrepreneur stage. Richie will be joined by successful black entrepreneurs sharing candid stories of mistakes, challenges and wins.
15.45 – 16.25
Your Guide to Accessing Finance
16.30 – 17.00
How To Get More Customers For Your Business
Only 2% of sales are made on the first contact. Generating leads is the lifeblood of any successful business. Join inspirational business coach Dwain Reid to discover the secrets of supercharging your lead generation efforts. Learn the straightforward, replicable LEADS® formula to capture and convert interest into paying customers. Leave with actionable advice, empowering you to generate more leads regardless of your budget.
Careers Stage
10.05 – 10.15
Welcome to the Careers Stage
10.15 – 10.40
How to Build a Successful Career in Finance
10.45 – 11.10
Mastering CV Writing and Interview Skills
This talk will offer the tips and strategies needed to navigate the interview process confidently and successfully. It will provide valuable insights into crafting an effective CV, teaching you how to highlight your skills and experience to stand out to potential employers.
11.15 – 11.45
The Power of Reinvention: Successfully Navigating Career Change and New Opportunities
This panel brings together professionals with wide and varied careers. Together, they’ll explore how to manage career transitions, whether switching industries, taking on a new challenge or stepping into a leadership role. It can be difficult to adjust to a new reality, so this panel will help you find your footing quickly.
12.00 – 12.50
Meet the Experts: Careers Roundtables
13.05 – 13.45
Future-Proof Your Career: Skills and Trends for Tomorrow's Workforce
The world of work is continuously shifting and changing, so we need to move with it. This panel explores the industry trends set to shape the future of work and the skills needed to stay agile to new challenges. This topic will provide guidance on how to stay relevant and competitive in a rapidly evolving job market.
13.50 – 14.15
Career DIY: How to Create the Career You Want
In this in-depth session Taylor will share her eclectic career journey, from pursuing a master’s degree in travel & tourism, to her time in operational management, and now to her current role in diversity, equity and inclusion. Through her lens as a Black Bajan woman, she will uncover some of the key lessons she has encountered, offering attendees valuable guidance on navigating their own career trajectories, particularly in times of ambiguity or setbacks. Her personal narrative underscores the importance of embracing non-traditional paths and leveraging one’s unique background to drive meaningful impact.
14.20 – 14.45
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: My Journey Up the Corporate Ladder
A rare opportunity to hear, first hand, the peaks and troughs encountered when scaling the sometimes-dizzy heights of the corporate ladder. During this session, hear from an established leader in industry about the realities of the boardroom, as they detail their personal path to professional success and most importantly, the key lessons learnt along the way.
14.50 – 15.15
It’s an AI’s World: Building Your Career in the New Digital Era
AI and Machine Learning innovations continue to emerge everyday, with endless possibilities to impact the world of work. Some remain wary of this new technology seeing it as a threat, but those who choose to become early adopters will revolutionise the way we work. Join this session to find out how to take advantage of the AI revolution and align yourself for future success.
15.20 – 15.45
Hallowed Be Thy Neighbour: The Importance of Corporate Allyship
Diverse teams and businesses are more successful, more innovative and closer to customer needs. With D&I initiatives, it’s clear that everyone wins and there is a cost to falling behind. To help encourage these initiatives, those with influence in the ethnic majority groups play a pivotal role. This session will give guidance on how to support colleagues internally, and help your business adopt an inclusive working environment that benefits the entire organisation.
15.50 – 16.15
Masters of Communication: The Key to Effective Presenting
The internal sell is probably one of the most underrated skills in business. Being able to effectively communicate ideas amongst your peers and across various working relationships can be a valuable driving force in your career, highlighting your contributions and value to the businesses. This session will teach you some of the secrets behind great presentations and how to win people over to your ideas.
16.20 – 16.55
Building a Personal Brand: What Does It Take To Stand Out in Your Career?
We all know that building a personal brand is key to getting noticed in a competitive market. But where do you even start? This discussion explores the significance of personal branding in career advancement and offers a blueprint on how to create a distinct and impactful professional presence.
BBC Creative Stage
10.05 – 10.15
Welcome to the BBC Creative Stage
10.15 – 11.00
An Actor, Executive Producer and Commissioner view on How to Make a Hit TV Show
This panel discussion shares the do’s and don’ts of great TV, showing you what to realistically expect from a career in the television industry. Expect a guide on how to overcome obstacles and what it takes to survive (and thrive) as a media creative.
11.05 – 11.35
Rickie & Melvin on How to Make the Jump From University Radio to a top BBC Radio 1 Show
Join an honest conversation with this fun duo on the journey from their early presenting days on university radio to having a successful BBC Radio 1 show. Hear candid insights from these radio legends about how to succeed in mainstream radio
11.40 – 12.15
Podcast Power: Building a Brand Through Audio Storytelling
In recent years, we’ve seen the rise of podcasts as a powerful medium for branding and business growth. In this discussion, experts with varying careers across the industry will share insights on how to create compelling content, what it takes to build a loyal audience and what they think will change in the next 5 years.
12.30 – 13.20
Meet the Experts: Creative Roundtables
13.35 – 14.00
Is it Time for a Female Founder Revolution?
Did you know that 80% of small businesses in the UK are male founded? Join Square and Small Business Britain to explore their latest research on the challenges and motivations of women-led businesses in a predominantly male-led landscape. These two female leaders will explore why women start businesses and how they can reach their entrepreneurial goals, while driving change within the industry.
14.50 – 15.20
What Does a Purpose-Driven, Creative Career in the John Lewis Partnership Look Like?
15.25 – 15.55
Clive Myrie & Chi Chi Izundu Talk Life on the Frontlines of Journalism
These two accomplished BBC journalists will walk you through the highlights, pitfalls and hard-won lessons gained from dynamic careers in mainstream media. Find out what life is really like as a news presenter or correspondent.
16.00 – 16.40
Unleashing Creativity: Innovating Through Art, Design and Entrepreneurship
Great things happen when new talent enters a traditional space. In this discussion, our experts will explore the intersection of creativity and business. They will showcase how artistic innovation and design thinking can be the missing key needed to drive entrepreneurial success.
16.45 – 17.10
Getting Creative with Social Media
A strong social media presence is the lifeblood of modern business marketing. It provides the perfect platform for you to engage with your audience and communicate your brand values. This talk will help you tap into your creativity to deliver engaging and relevant content. Expect insight on how to grow audiences and convert them into loyal customers along the way.
