BHM 2025 - Programme

23-10-2025

BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENT

programme

Join us for a Black History Month event that centres leadership and heritage as pillars in building inclusive workplaces

LORRAINE COPES Lorraine is a multi-award-winning social entrepreneur, board member, communicator, and coach. Having spent two decades as an executive director for brands including Gordon Ramsay Restaurants and Corbin & King, Lorraine felt compelled to establish Be Inclusive Hospitality CIC in 2020 due to the persistent lack of representation of people of colour in positions of influence and across the supply chain.

This social enterprise now plays a leading role in igniting much-needed conversations and delivering initiatives to drive meaningful change within the hospitality, food, and drink sectors.

Lorraine is a board member of WSTA (Wine & Spirits Trade Association) and serves as a judge for several industry awards, including the Guild of Fine Food’s Great Taste Awards, the Bold Woman Awards UK by Veuve Clicquot, the Uber Eats Restaurant Awards, and the Bar Magazine Awards.

In 2022, Lorraine was named GQ Food & Drink Innovator of the Year. She has been named in the CODE Hospitality 100 Most Influential Women in Hospitality list for four consecutive years and won Entrepreneur of the Year at the Precious Awards in 2022. In 2023, Lorraine was recognised by NatWest and Pioneers Post as one of the WISE100: Top Women in Social Enterprise. In 2024, she was named Game-Changer at the Condé Nast Traveller UK Restaurant Awards.

Be Inclusive Hospitality was recognised by NatWest’s SE100 for two consecutive years as one of the UK’s most impressive social enterprises.

AJI AKOKOMI Aji Akokomi is the founder of Michelin starred Akoko, which was awarded its first prestigious accolade at the 2024 Michelin Guide Awards. Akoko was also ranked 52 in the top 100 list at the 2025 National Restaurant Awards.

Aji had always dreamt of opening a restaurant, having spent many years hosting supper clubs and entertaining friends at home. In 2017, Aji finally took the plunge to change careers, from the familiarity of being an IT Project Manager. He enrolled in Leith’s Cookery School’s ten-week Essential Cooking course to begin his journey to the hospitality industry.

In 2018, Aji embarked on a culinary expedition across West Africa, visiting Gambia, Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria to discover and study the traditional cooking techniques, the age-old recipes and the ingredients that make the cuisine so unique.

Aji spent time with family in Ibadan, Nigeria, while working in his mother’s bakery and learning about Agege bread, a popular bread eaten across Nigeria. From there he would make pottery in the Bwari Pottery village, just outside of Abuja, meet sustainable palm nut oil suppliers in Accra, Ghana, and learn about the history of jollof rice in Dakar, Senegal, which has inspired one of Akoko’s signature dishes.

In September 2020, brimming with ideas following his travels, Aji opened Akoko in London’s Fitzrovia. The West African inspired restaurant has received much acclaim with The Telegraph noting ‘Akoko reimagines contemporary African fine-dining for London with success” while the Evening Standard found the cooking “positively riotous on the tongue.”

Aji is heavily involved in the day to day running of Akoko, with heritage and culture at the heart of every dish.

Akoko has continued to develop and innovate allowing it to stay at the forefront of London's developing West African culinary scene. In November 2023, Aji Akokomi opened his second restaurant, Akara, underneath the arches in Borough Yards. Bearing the name of the black-eyed bean fritter with roots in West Africa, which features on the concise menu, the restaurant champions traditional flavours of the expansive region in a stylish and relaxed setting.

CLAIRE DUESBERRY Claire joined Levy in 2020 after taking a break from teaching, uncertain about her next steps. She started as a casual retail assistant and gradually moved into hospitality and bar roles across the two sporting venues in her city.

After a couple of years, she secured a full-time, permanent position as an Event Planner at Leicester City Football Club. Shortly after, she joined the “Within” network as an ambassador, gaining firsthand experience of how an employee resource group can foster community, provide networking opportunities, and support both personal and professional development.

In September 2024, Claire was appointed Diversity and Inclusion Lead for Levy UK & Ireland. This role has given her the platform to raise awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion across the business. Diversity and inclusion have always been important to her, as she recognises the value they bring in creating an equitable environment and fostering a genuine sense of belonging for all employees.

Being part of “Within” offers opportunities for connection and collaboration, allowing members to share experiences and support one another in a psychologically safe space, enabling everyone to be their authentic selves.

As the saying goes: “Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common. Celebrate it every day.”

Claire respects and appreciates that Compass, Levy, and all sectors of the business value diversity, particularly the unique differences between people and the ways these differences contribute to a richer, more creative, and more productive workplace.

FIKAYO IFATUROTI Fikayo Ifaturoti is a sommelier, curator and fine wine entrepreneur, and the founder of Cellar Atelier, a private consultancy reimagining how people experience rare and collectible wines.

She has built her career across leading luxury merchants and global hospitality, working with UHNWIs and corporate leaders to curate cellars and create experiences that go beyond the bottle.

Her work is rooted in authenticity, cultural storytelling and emotional luxury — treating wine as a medium for connection, history and identity.

She also draws from her passions for fashion, art, comedy and music, bringing her full self into an industry often seen as closed and exclusive.

Through Cellar Atelier, she is building not just a business but a cultural bridge where wine meets creativity and community.

IFEYINWA FREDERICK Ifeyinwa Frederick is a creative force who channels her storytelling talent through both her writing and her restaurant. She is a playwright, screenwriter, and co-founder of Chuku's – the world's first Nigerian tapas restaurant, giving diners the opportunity to experience Nigeria without needing their passport.

With a background in PR and marketing, she leads Branding and Communications at Chuku's, where she has grown a digital community of over 40,000 followers.

Ifeyinwa has shaped Chuku’s into more than just a restaurant, establishing it as a cultural and community brand. She has led partnerships with organisations such as Bloomsbury Publishing, Southbank Centre, and Arcola Theatre, bringing together food, literature, and the arts.

In addition to her brand work, Ifeyinwa also leads on people and culture within the team, helping to make Chuku’s a workplace where staff feel valued and enjoy coming to work.

Her work is rooted in her personal philosophy: "How can I be the light in this moment?" – a question that guides everything from how she leads the brand, to how she builds team culture, and how she shapes the guest experience at Chuku’s.

Since opening, the restaurant has welcomed over 50,000 diners from around the world, including Hollywood’s Gabrielle Union, and has even been backed by Beyoncé. It has provided catering for clients such as Meta, Tinder, and Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy, and was named one of Time Out’s Top 50 restaurants in London two years in a row and one of the top 100 Local Restaurants in the UK. Named by the Evening Standard as one of London's changemakers, Ifeyinwa is now planning on growing Chuku's, with a second site set to open in central London in 2025.

Alongside her work at Chuku’s, Ifeyinwa is also an acclaimed playwright. Her debut play, The Hoes, was staged at London’s Hampstead Theatre, followed by Sessions, which toured the UK. When she’s not working, she can be found dancing in the studio or practising her pull-ups in the gym

JADE MCKENZIE Jade is a hospitality enthusiast with over 18 years of experience in the industry.

Currently the General Manager at Shwen Shwen, Jade has built her career around people operations, with a strong focus on staff training, development, and welfare.

Her passion lies in creating supportive and empowering environments where teams can thrive.

Alongside her role, Jade is also a Community and Events Ambassador for Be Inclusive Hospitality, where she champions inclusivity and equity in the hospitality sector.

LAKEISHA MCNEIL Lakeisha is a Talent Acquisition specialist with over eight years of experience across casual dining and luxury hospitality.

She

is

passionate

about

promoting

excellence

while

creating

opportunities for those who love the hospitality industry and those who may not have considered it by highlighting the many career pathways the industry provides for growth and long-term success

NATALIE SHERIDAN Natalie Sheridan is an award-winning Pastry Chef and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience creating exquisite and innovative desserts.

Known for blending classical techniques with modern trends, she is celebrated for her inclusive patisserie, offering plant-based and allergenfriendly options that reflect today’s dining culture.

Natalie has worked at prestigious hotels including The Marriott Grosvenor Square and the London Hilton Metropole, where she honed her craft and developed her creative flair. In 2020, she represented Team Lexington on Channel 4’s Bake Off: The Professionals, showcasing her talent and artistry on national television.

As founder and director of Callalie Cakes, she delivers bespoke patisserie experiences, while her initiative Cook & Connect / Bake & Relate uses food as a platform for connection, cultural exchange, and career development. In 2025, Natalie was honoured with the Power of a Woman – Women in Food Award, celebrating her leadership, creativity, and influence in the industry.

STING KHUMALO Sting Khumalo is the Director of HR at The Biltmore Mayfair Hotel, London (the luxury five star hotel).

She has over 20 years’ experience in Hospitality industry. She started her career as a Housekeeping Assistant in a small hotel in Grasmere in the Lake District.

She then progressed to different management roles such as Head Housekeeper, Front Office Manager and Human Resources Manager.

Sting joined Elevate Mentorship Scheme with Be Inclusive Hospitality which has been instrumental in her career growth, with the support and guidance from her mentors, she progressed from HR Manager Position to Cluster HR Manger and 2022 July promoted to Director of HR in The Biltmore Mayfair Hotel & Resorts.

Her achievements are being the BIH Spotlight Awards - People`s Choice, Person of the Year 2023 winner.

Also, recently won the Most Inspiring Leader 2025 Award – at the Burnt Chef, Mental Health Heroes event.

She hopes to inspire young people and ethnic minorities to show that there are no boundaries with hard work, perseverance and guidance.

TEVIN TOBUN Tevin Tobun is a distinguished business leader, tech entrepreneur, and philanthropist with a prolific 23-year career. Specialising in technology and logistics, he has founded numerous successful businesses within the UK and globally. His notable achievements include the tech-logistics business ROUTD Technology and the multi award-winning logistics & distribution Group; GV Group.

Having founded a series of highly successful businesses operating in the UK and Globally, he has also exited and acquired businesses over the last 15-20 years.

Tevin's entrepreneurial portfolio extends to Platebox, delivering school meals annually, and Foodmove, facilitating warehousing & deliveries to various sectors. His offshore support service, Repco Global, aids renewable energy and infrastructure projects in remote locations. ROUTD Technology’s smart vending technology is used by logistics and manufacturers across the globe. Collectively, his enterprises manage over 30 million items yearly for FTSE100 companies, businesses, schools, restaurants, and hotels worldwide.

Beyond his business ventures, Tevin founded The Tobun Foundation to support education and career opportunities for disadvantaged youth. The foundation offers financial aid and mentorship to help talented individuals attend university. An alumnus of Middlesex University and the University of Cambridge Judge Business School, he serves as a council member at The Open University where he is part of the team responsible for determining its future direction and the fulfilment of its strategic vision, and was a former board member of Middlesex University, where he supported the university through its growth strategy.

Tevin is also the Chair of Inspirational You, empowering students and leaders from ethnic minority backgrounds, and is a board member of Arena Network and is a patron of Springboard. A charity that supports young people into employment into hospitality through workshops and training.

Over the last 10 years, Tevin has been recognized in the Powerful Media Top 100 list, as one of the most influential Black Briton, in 2023 he was inducted into the Dr. Martin Luther King Board of Sponsors at Morehouse College, a university in Atlanta Georgia, USA Tevin received Honorary Doctor of Business from Middlesex University and more recently, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Business and Technology from Royal Docks Business School, he received a fellowship from University of East London and in 2025, was given the Freedom of the City of London to mark his stellar career to date.

YASMIN ROSE Yasmin is an HR specialist and EDI facilitator who has spent over a decade helping organisations build workplaces where people actually want to show up.

Drawing on her heritage, lived experience, and deep HR know-how, she brings anti-racism, bias, and inclusive leadership to life in ways that are practical, relatable, and yes, sometimes a little fun.

Known for her warmth, integrity, and no-nonsense approach to people and culture, Yasmin helps businesses turn strategy into action, making sure everyone feels seen, heard, and valued along the way.

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