Leadership Conference 2022
#BYPKnowledgeIsPower #BYPConference
The BYP Network Leadership Conference returns this October during the UK’s Black History Month. The hybrid conference – BYP Network’s flagship annual event that’s become a ‘must-attend’ for thousands of Black professionals and our allies – will be held on Thursday, October 6 at Park Plaza Hotel on London’s South Bank, followed on Friday, October 7 by a virtual careers fair. This year’s theme is Knowledge Is Power. Our impactful keynotes, informative break-outs and interactive workshops will share knowledge and insights that will help power your leadership journey.
Topics we’ll be exploring include:
- The power of role models – what’s it like to be one? What are the risks, and the rewards?
- Power in society – is it changing hands? What progress is being made in elite professions?
- Standing up to power – meet those using their knowledge to campaign for a more just world
- Changing the narrative – how Black creatives are telling our stories, and what we can learn from them
- The importance of mentoring – transferring knowledge and helping new talent blossom and grow
- Encouraging allyship – building bridges and embedding inclusivity in the workplace culture
- The world of work – how it’s changing, and what you wish you’d known when starting out
By attending you’ll be able to:
- Hear from more than 60 inspiring and engaging speakers
- Learn from their stories, their thought leadership and expertise
- Meet fellow community members during the networking breaks
7.30-9.00
Registration, Networking and Exhibition
08:00-08:45
POWER BREAKFAST
Sponsored by Sky 50 Guests Lower River Room
Sponsored by Meta 30 Guests
Sponsored by Deepmind 20 Guests
09:00-09:15
Auditorium
WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
Conference host in conversation with Kike Oniwinde, BYP Network Founder & CEO.
09:15-09:45
Auditorium
LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT
David Carrigan, Group Director of Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing at Sky
Our opening session features a prominent business leader who has used their knowledge to achieve success as well as bringing about positive and lasting change within their organisation.
09:45-10:45
Auditorium
KEYNOTE & PANEL: THE POWER HOUR
Tom Ilube, CEO and founder of Cybersecurity plc
Host :
Kike Oniwinde Agoro
Founder and CEO of BYP Network
We all know the importance of role models. But what’s it like to actually be one? What are the risks, and the rewards? This session will also explore how people can prepare for success despite the fear and how a positive mindset is key to overcoming adversity.
Panellists:
- Natasha Shotunde
- Renee Hunt
- Tim Campbell
- Baroness Young
Hosted by Kike Oniwinde, BYP Network Founder & CEO.
10:45-11:15
UPPER RIVER ROOM
MORNING BREAK, NETWORKING, EXHIBITION
11:15-11:55
LOWER RIVER ROOM
LEADERSHIP 101: AUTHENTICITY, ADAPTABILITY & HAVING A GROWTH MINDSET
In this session you will hear from Gartner associates to understand how to develop a growth mindset professionally and personally. You will learn how we as individuals engage, what the qualities of a growth mindset are, and hear personal stories on how being able to adapt in the workplace can set you up for success.
SESSION SPONSORED BY GARTNER
CRIPPLEGATE
ACHIEVING BLACK EXCELLENCE: HOW TO DEVELOP YOURSELF BY INVESTING IN YOURSELF
Interested in learning about how to have a successful career. Want to learn about how to be a leader in your field? Join our panel of experts who will be sharing their expertise and insight on how to take control and elevate your career as a Black professional in a large corporate environment.
SESSION SPONSORED BY CAPCO
DOWGATE
BEING THE SOLUTION - THE WISE WAY!
Learn about the journey of Wise and how they scaled their business to the first million and beyond. Find out about the problems they overcame, the approach they developed to build a successful product and how it has disrupted the fintech industry as we know it.
SESSION SPONSORED BY WISE
12:00 - 12:40
LOWER RIVER ROOM
SKILL UP TO LEVEL UP: THRIVING IN THE HYBRID WORKPLACE
The 9-to-5 workday is dead. What does this mean for Black professionals navigating today’s ever-changing environment? Join this dynamic panel to discover how Black women in tech are doing their best work — and accelerating their careers — from the office, home, and everywhere in between.
SESSION SPONSORED BY SALESFORCE
CRIPPLEGATE
DIVERSITY IN FASHION
A conversation between powerful black women with careers in fashion exploring the challenges and opportunities of diversity. Celebrate the achievements and discuss what’s still to be done.
SESSION SPONSORED BY FARFETCH
DOWGATE
ACTUALLY, KNOWLEDGE IS NOT POWER - IT’S JUST THE FIRST STEP
The term "Knowledge is Power" is a phrase and concept originally attributed to the philosopher Francis Bacon, and has been repeated by many throughout history to indicate the importance of knowledge for individual, cultural, and societal progress. This talk is based on my own personal experiences, and dives deeper into this concept with the proposition that knowledge is only the first step towards attaining "power" in your career and life.
SESSION SPONSORED BY ARM
12:40-13:40
UPPER RIVER ROOM
LUNCH BREAK, NETWORKING, EXHIBITION
13:40-14:40
Auditorium
KEYNOTE & PANEL: TRUTH TO POWER
Lord Dr. Michael Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE
This keynote session celebrates those who use their knowledge and communication skills to stand up to power, to right wrongs, and campaign for a more just and truthful world. Hear from those who have challenged governments, politicians, powerful individuals, societal norms as well as those who have exposed wrongdoing and held power to account.
Panellists:
- Phyll Opoku-Gyimah
- Simone Pound
- Femi Oluwole
Hosted by Kike Oniwinde, BYP Network Founder & CEO.
14:45-15:25
Auditorium
MANAGING RELATIONSHIPS TO MAXIMISE INFLUENCE
Are you managing your working relationships in a way that rewards you with both influence and respect? Join Morgan Stanley’s Managing Director in Legal and Compliance, and Co-Chair of the firm’s African and Caribbean Business Alliance, Ize Idemudia, as she shares first-hand experiences and actionable advice on managing relationships and maximising influence. Understand why it is important and how you can reach your full potential to progress your career.
Speakers :
Ize Idemudia - Managing Director, Morgan Stanley
SESSION SPONSORED BY MORGAN STANLEY
Breakout Room
Why Mentoring/Coaching is for Everyone
Host :
Dom Scott
This interactive workshop explores how mentees can benefit from guidance and advice in their careers as well as in their lives. We also examine what it takes to be an effective mentor and how mentoring helps leaders with their own development and learning experiences.
- Flavilla Fongong
- Dr Dapo Ajayi
- Ayo Gabriel
15:30-16:10
Auditorium
WE THE CULTURE - THE JOURNEY INTO THE METAVERSE
Join Meta as they explore building an inclusive metaverse, and deepdive into the experience
of interviewing and onboarding at Meta.
We’ve all heard the saying” diversity breeds innovation”, this is especially true when building tech for the future.
The metaverse serves a global community so it only makes sense that the people building it are representative of the community it serves.
Join us for a discussion about how Meta is helping design and build an inclusive metaverse, our journey so far into creating diverse avatars and shaping digital representation, and how we are building technology that is taking us to places we’ve never been to before.
We will also provide a behind the scenes look at Meta culture, taking a deep dive into the experience of interviewing and onboarding, and what to expect once you’re on the inside.
Speakers:
Hannah Shomade
International Ethnicity DEI Recruiting Program Manager
Simone Campora
Engineering Manager
Rochana Jackson
Global Learning & Enablement Partner, Cross Functional Client Engagement & Partnerships
SESSION SPONSORED BY META
LOWER RIVER ROOM
Entrepreneurship vs Intrapreneurship: Ownership is Key
Host :
Emma Joy Obanye
This panel session will bring together Black leaders that have experienced the highs and lows of growing a business and why being a founder isn't the only way to grow wealth.
- Ezechi Britton
- Ade Hassan
- Dean Forbes
16:15-16:55
Auditorium
RISING TO THE TOP WHILST KEEPING IT REAL
This is a conversation between Sarah & Silika who will share their individual stories, telling their journey from their early family & career life, to progressing in the corporate world, whilst dealing with isolation, challenges and self-doubt through to influencing big organisations to talk and act.
Speakers :
Sarah Nelson – Zone Managing Director London
Silika Shellie – Director of Grocery Product Innovation & Future Brands
SESSION SPONSORED BY SAINSBURY’S
BREAKOUT ROOM
I WISH I’D KNOWN …
Host :
