THE BLACK BRITISH NETWORK
In light of the killing of Black people across 2020 there was a groundswell of awareness and momentum focused on the experience of the Black community globally and how we bring about positive change.
A poignant moment that caused for the whole world to look inwardly and reflect on all of our feelings towards the Black community, the reality of the Black communities perceived position in society, the frustration informed by both overt and covert racist acts and the lack of economic advancement through the years due to systemic racism and prejudice that exists both within the workplace and in the wider society.
There is hope that for one moment, people will no longer be afraid to listen to the Black community, accept the realities of the inequalities experienced and work with us to usher in long lasting change. On top of this, there needs to be a united effort to focus time and resources on ensuring we strengthen, support and uplift the Black community who have had to suffer in silence for too long; to make sure that many years from now we are not having this same conversation again.
Image of Cephas Williams &
Jason Tarry, Tesco, CEO
Allies & Leaders Signed Up
The following list of executives, industry leaders and allies have read 'Letter to Zion' and committed their time, resources and organisations to stand with us as we drive targeted change focused on the Black community in the UK and ending systemic racism. We are looking for allies who are not afraid to have candid and constructive conversations that lead to dismantling systemic racism and creating an equal playing field for the economic advancement of the Black community in the UK.
Our aim is to use our collective influence and strategic position to keep the conversation going beyond moments of trauma and public traction whilst taking brave, tangible and meaningful steps to create the change we need to see.
All leaders listed have read Cephas Williams letter to his son, Zion and have committed to the BBN's 4 Key Deliverables using their influence and business' to support Cephas' mission and the legacy of the BBN not just for a moment in time, but for the long run.
Andrew Denton
Alfa Systems
CEO
Barry Cupples
Talon Outdoor
CEO
Stephen Woodford
Advertising Association
CEO
Mervyn Lyn
Strategic Partnership Solutions Ltd
Founding Partner
Helen Calcraft
Lucky Generals
Co-founder
Sharon Ament
Museum of London
Director
Andy Medd
Broody
Founder
Steve Murrells
The Co-op Group
CEO
Sue Frogley
Publicis Media
CEO, UK
Zahra Bahrololoumi
Salesforce
CEO, UK&I
Nicola Mendelson
VP EMEA
Paul Polman
Imagine
Co-founder & Chair
Rob Love
Crowdfunder
CEO / Co-founder
Daren Rubins
Conker
Co-founder
Mark Evans
O2 (Telefonica UK)
CEO
Hywel Ball
EY
UK Chair & Managing Partner UK&I
John McGrath
MIF
Artistic Director & Chief Executive
Katie Mackay-Sinclair
Mother London
Partner
Simon Roberts
Sainsbury's
CEO
Magnus Djaba
Saatchi & Saatchi
Global President
Nick Ring
Columbia Thread Needle
CEO
Steve Hatch
Director, UK&I
Simon Pegg
Stolen Picture
Co-founder
Richard Bon
Clear Channel UK
Managing Director
Keith Weed
WPP
Non-Executive Director
William Eccleshare
Clear Channel Outdoor
CEO
Steve Varley
EY
Global Vice Chair, Sustainability
Richard Parsons
Sony Pictures
COO
Robert Savile
Mother London
Co-Founder
Jason Butwick
Dechert
Partner
Shaheen Sayed
Accenture
Senior Managing Director
Alan Jope
Unilever
CEO
Johnathan Reekie
Somerset House Trust
Director
Phil Thomas
Ascential
President, Marketing Division & Chairman, Cannes Lions
Danny Brooke-Taylor
Lucky Generals
Co-founder
Jude Kelly CBE
The WOW Foundation
Founder & Director
Justin Coachrane
Clear Channel
CEO, UK & Europe
Jason Tarry
Tesco
CEO
Sophie Devonshire
The Marketing Society
CEO
Sarah Douglas
AMV BBDO
CEO
Anette King
Publicis Groupe
CEO, UK
Simon Eaves
Accenture
CEO, UK&I
Aline Santos
Unilever
Global Executive VP Marketing
Halla Tómasdóttir
The B Team
CEO & Chief Change Catalyst
Imagine if all our major companies and their executives stood together, to support the Black community in the UK to priorities our economic advancement and the eradication of systemic racism. Imagine if we stopped paying lip service and put our money and our resources where our mouths and hearts seem to be. If we kept the momentum and energy that came after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, so that it does not take for the death of another Black person before we see the true state of the landscape toward Black people again. We need to act now and come together to create seismic and authentic change, change that will last. What if we had an alliance, a network of leaders and leading companies standing shoulder to shoulder with the Black community, not saying 'we are perfect' but saying 'we will honestly and wholeheartedly work together with the Black community, to ensure that 20 years from now, the next generation of Black people have a level playing field in the UK'. Imagine the change we would see if we centralised the conversation and worked together.
Together We Are Stronger.
Image of Cephas Williams filming the Letter to Zion monologue
BBN Corporate Members
This is a list of the companies that have signed up to be part of our Roundtable Conversations & The Black Paper. Working with the BBN to collectively dismantle systemic racism and create an equal playing field for the economic advancement of the Black community in the UK. Using their business, resources and our combined networks to drive this agenda forward together.
