UK BCN Trailblazer Awards 2025

Winner:

• Season 25

Highly Commended:

• 478 Studios

• Axe & Saw

Shortlist:

• Future Brand Thinking

• One Twelve Agency

• WPGM PR (We Plug Good Music)

• Word on the Curb

Winner:

Lloyds Bank, Khalia Ismain, Erdoo Yongo and Ross Keany

Shortlist:

Black Employees at eBay (BEE) Network, Richard Ward

The Introvert Space, Richard Etienne

Winner:

Davina Wedderburn-Thompson, Head of Communications, British Fashion Council

Highly Commended:

• Tom Willetts, Global Head of Communications, Global Private Banking and Wealth, HSBC

Shortlist

• Alice Clarke, Communications Manager, NHS Confederation

• Alieda Moore-Berry, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and Digital Policy, Citi

• Frances Elizabeth Okyere Abebreseh, Director, Corporate Communications, UK, Ireland & Israel, Netflix

• Gyawu Mahama, Head of Communications for Commercial Risk, Aon

• Iman Leila, Acting Senior Communications & PR Manager, MAC Cosmetics

• Lilian Anekwe, Director, Global Digital Communications, GSK

• Tobi Ruth Adebekun, Senior Manager, EMEA Communications, Netflix

Winner:

• Kachi Akumabor, Founder, The Branding Blackbook

Highly Commended:

• Amira Williams, Account Director, Missive

• Chris Maho, Account Manager, The Roman’s

Shortlist:

• Eyimofe Okuwoga, Senior Account Executive, The Hoffman Agency 

• Kevon Mukabi, Digital Marketing Graduate, BSH Home Appliances 

• Kyla Brinkley, Director, Executive Thought Leadership & Social Media, Real Chemistry 

• Muminah Koleoso, Freelance Writer, Content Creator, Podcaster

• Nathaniel Ogunniyi, Associate Director, Hanbury Strategy 

Winner:

Ayshah Tull, Health Correspondent and Presenter, ITN

Highly Commended:

• Richie Brave, Broadcaster, BBC Radio 1XTRA

Shortlist:

• Fayola Douglas, Podcaster, The Ad Race

• Lucy Daramola, Podcaster, The Strategic Salary Series

• Remel London, Founder, The Mainstream

Winner

• Auntie’s Army, Kim Allain, Golin

Shortlist

• It Takes a Village, Simplysayo

Winner:

Adjani Salmon, Creator, Dreaming Whilst Black

Winner:

Joe Salmon, Director, Corporate Communications, Iron Mountain

Winner

Adesayo Talabi, Founder, It Takes A Village

Highly Commended:

• Aysha Tull, Health Correspondent and Presenter, ITN

Shortlist

• Clara Biu, Head of Consumer Communications, Allwyn

• Richard Ward, UK Social & Content Lead, eBay UK

• Sarauniya Shehu, Cabinet External Affairs Manager, Southwark Council 

• Tanya Clarke, Campaigns Lead, HMRC

Winner:

• Justin King, Partner, Milltown Partners

Highly Commended:

• Edna Boampong, Director of Communications and Engagement, Liverpool City Council

• Kim Allain, Creative Director, Pitch Marketing Group

• Shakira Akinjobi, Senior Director, Head of Influence UK, Burson

Shortlist:

• Ella Darlington, Strategic Communications & Marketing Leader, ThoughtLDR

• Kristy Ebanks, Director, Coldr

• Kyla Brinkley, Director, Executive Thought Leadership & Social Media, Real Chemistry 

• Matt Geer, Head of London Office, Social 

• Richard Etienne, Founder & Lead Consultant, The Introvert Space

• Safiyah Bennington, Brand and Talent Director, Connect Management 

Winner:

• Nadine White, Founder, Black Current News 

Shortlist:

• Chante Joseph, Freelance, Culture Writer

• Tobi Oredein, Editor, BlackBallad