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 :
Bree Johnson
What did you wish you’d known when setting out in the world of work? How have things changed? Hear from those across the BYP community as well as professionals at the pinnacle of their careers. How have business leaders used their power to ‘send the ladder back down’?
Sian Keane
Richie Booker
Marvyn Harrison
16:55-17:25
UPPER RIVER ROOM
AFTERNOON BREAK: NETWORKING, EXHIBITION
17:25-18:25
Auditorium
KEYNOTE & PANEL: TELLING OUR STORY
Keynote - Hakeem Kae-Kazim
Storytelling is one of the oldest and most powerful forms of human communication. Stories inform
society; they transmit knowledge from one generation to the next. Stories shape our culture, our identity.
They have the power to challenge stereotypes, to break barriers, to influence change. We meet the TV and
movie producers and commissioners who are bringing authentic Black stories to our screens, stories that
change the narrative. We hear from those working in the entertainment industry about moves to
encourage greater diversity – and the progress that still needs to be made. And we hear from a business
leader who has embraced storytelling in their communications.
Panellists:
Priscilla Igwe
Dr Anne Marie Imafidon
Yvonne Thompson CBE
Hosted by Kike Oniwinde, BYP Network Founder & CEO.
18:25-18:35
Auditorium
FINAL WORD
Conference host in conversation with Kike Oniwinde, BYP Network Founder & CEO,and Sponsor
Speaker from Sky