UK Black Business Week 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions

ExCeL London · Monday 12th – Saturday 17th October 2026

Below are frequently asked questions about the event:

General

UK Black Business Week is the UK and Europe's biggest business development week for Black professionals and entrepreneurs. Founded by Dr. Raphael Sofoluke, as featured in Forbes, The Times, BBC News, The Telegraph, and ITV News - the Week brings together 15,000+ attendees across 21 events over six days every October.

Through summits, masterclasses, panel discussions, investor conversations, and networking events, UK Black Business Week equips attendees with the business insights, skills, and connections to develop, empower, inspire, and recharge.

2025 headline sponsors included HSBC, JPMorgan Chase, Moody's, and eBay.

UK Black Business Week 2026 runs from Monday 12th October to Saturday 17th October across multiple London venues, with the majority of events held at ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1FR.

The Week culminates in the UK Black Business Show on Saturday 17th October ,now in its landmark 10th year.

Individual event tickets can be booked at ukblackbusinessweek.com/tickets. Each event has its own ticketing page, we recommend booking early as popular events including Black Women Business Talks, VAMP Power Brunch, and Black in Legal sell out ahead of October.

Some events (including the pre-Week Sunday Lunch and Masters of Scale) have eligibility criteria or are invite-only.

The 2026 programme is as follows:

Sunday 11th October — Pre-UK Black Business Week Sunday Lunch (Exclusive, Invite Only, in partnership with Goldman Sachs 10KSB)

Monday 12th October — Opening Networking Party, 7pm–11pm (18+, Black Tie)

Tuesday 13th October — Black Women Business Talks, 6pm–9:30pm

Tuesday 13th October — Black Men Business Talks, 6pm–9:30pm

Wednesday 14th October — Black STEM Careers Fair, 10am–2pm

Wednesday 14th October — VAMP Power Brunch, 10am–2pm

Wednesday 14th October — Black Tech Experience, 6pm–9:30pm

Wednesday 14th October — Masters of Scale, 6pm–9:30pm (6–8 figure businesses)

Thursday 15th October — Black Allyship Programme, 10am–1pm

Thursday 15th October — Black Fashion & Beauty Talks, 10am–1pm

Thursday 15th October — Ecommerce & Strategy Talks, 1:30pm–4:30pm

Thursday 15th October — Black in Legal, 6pm–9:30pm

Thursday 15th October — Black Media, Culture & Sports Talks, 6pm–9:30pm

Friday 16th October — Careers in Finance, 10am–1pm

Friday 16th October — Black Property Talks, 10am–1pm

Friday 16th October — AI Advantage, 1pm–4:30pm

Friday 16th October — Black Finance Talks, 6pm–9:30pm

Friday 16th October — Bola Sol Show, 6pm–9:30pm

Saturday 17th October — UK Black Business Show, ExCeL London, 9am–6pm

Full event details and tickets: ukblackbusinessweek.com/events

The Week covers eight core streams across its 21 events: Finance, Technology, Media Culture & Sport, Black-Owned Business, Property, Leadership, Legal, and Allyship.

The Week attracts some of the UK's most inspiring Black business leaders, entrepreneurs, broadcasters, and industry pioneers. Past speakers have included Steven Bartlett, Afua Hirsch, Dean Forbes, Candice Brathwaite, Chris Eubank Sr., Sir Lenny Henry, and David Olusoga - alongside senior figures from HSBC, JPMorgan Chase, Moody's, IBM, and eBay.

The full 2026 speaker lineup will be announced at ukblackbusinessweek.com/speakers

Monday 12th October marks the official launch of UK Black Business Week with the Opening Networking Party (7pm–11pm, 18+). The evening features welcome drinks, canapés, an exclusive DJ set, and inspirational talks. Dress code is Black Tie.

The full day-by-day agenda for the Week is published at ukblackbusinessweek.com/agenda-monday and across each individual event page as the October date approaches.

 

Each year, UK Black Business Week publishes its highly anticipated "25 Top Black Entrepreneurs to Watch" list, spotlighting the most exciting Black founders and business owners across the UK. The annual list has become one of the most-visited features on the site, generating significant social media engagement and press coverage each summer.

Past editions: 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025

View all at ukblackbusinessweek.com

Individual Events

The Opening Networking Party (Monday 12th October, 7pm–11pm, 18+) is the official launch of UK Black Business Week. Expect welcome drinks, canapés, an exclusive DJ set, and inspirational talks — dress code is Black Tie. Tickets: ukblackbusinessweek.com/tickets

Black Women Business Talks (Tuesday 13th October, 6pm–9:30pm) is one of the Week's most popular events, offering Black women a dedicated space to accelerate business growth and career success. Through inspiring talks, panel discussions, and networking, attendees gain practical strategies around authentic leadership, personal branding, strategic networking, CEO mindset, and work-life sustainability.

Black Men Business Talks (Tuesday 13th October, 6pm–9:30pm) is a platform for Black men to master influential leadership and strategic business growth. Past editions have featured senior executives from JPMorgan Chase alongside figures including Sir Lenny Henry and David Olusoga.

The Black STEM Careers Fair (Wednesday 14th October, 10am–2pm) connects young Black talent with industry leaders, technology innovators, and entrepreneurs reshaping the STEM landscape. The Fair features practical sessions, inspiring keynotes, and live speed mentoring for those entering or pivoting into STEM careers.

VAMP Power Brunch (Wednesday 14th October, 10am–2pm) is an exclusive brunch designed to highlight the tenacity of talented Black women in business, entertainment, and creative industries. It is consistently one of the fastest-selling events of the Week — book early at ukblackbusinessweek.com/vamp-power-brunch

Masters of Scale (Wednesday 14th October, 6pm–9:30pm) is an exclusive gathering for Black business owners operating at six-to-eight figure revenues. The event focuses on scaling strategy, global market access, investment, and building businesses with lasting legacy. Attendance is limited and subject to eligibility.

The Black Allyship Programme (Thursday 15th October, 10am–1pm) is designed for diversity champions, HR leaders, and organisational decision-makers who want to build equitable workplace cultures that genuinely empower Black talent. The session features open-forum discussions and practical frameworks for driving systemic change.

Black Fashion & Beauty Talks (Thursday 15th October, 10am–1pm) brings together industry leaders and creative entrepreneurs from fashion and beauty to share strategies for building brands that resonate, navigating competitive markets, and building careers at the cutting edge of these industries.

Black in Legal (Thursday 15th October, 6pm–9:30pm) connects Black legal professionals — from trainees to senior partners — for candid conversations about career progression, authentic leadership, and driving change across the legal sector. One of the highest-rated events of the Week.

Black Media, Culture & Sports Talks (Thursday 15th October, 6pm–9:30pm) celebrates the transformative power of Black voices in media, sport, and culture. The event brings together broadcasters, creatives, sporting figures, and entertainment entrepreneurs to explore representation, storytelling, and building platforms for lasting impact.

Black Property Talks (Friday 16th October, 10am–1pm) empowers aspiring and established property investors with the knowledge and connections to build successful property portfolios. Sessions cover identifying market opportunities, overcoming investment barriers, and building long-term wealth through property.

AI Advantage (Friday 16th October, 1pm–4:30pm) explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping industries and creating opportunities for Black professionals and entrepreneurs. The session delivers practical insight into AI's evolving role in business, regulation, and innovation.

Careers in Finance (Friday 16th October, 10am–1pm) connects ambitious Black professionals with seasoned industry experts and finance leaders. Through skill-building sessions and panel discussions, attendees discover career pathways and learn how to advance in competitive financial services environments.

Black Finance Talks (Friday 16th October, 6pm–9:30pm) brings together senior finance professionals, entrepreneurs, and wealth-building experts to share strategies for career advancement, securing funding, and building long-term financial success.

Sponsoring UK Black Business Week

UK Black Business Week is backed by world-class organisations committed to advancing Black entrepreneurship and professional excellence.

2025 headline sponsors: HSBC, JPMorgan Chase, Moody's, and eBay. Stream and event sponsors have included bp, Trowers & Hamlins, Ralph Lauren, Salesforce, Lloyds Bank, IBM, American Express, Citi, Disney, and more.

Enquire about 2026 sponsorship: ukblackbusinessweek.com/sponsor-an-event

UK Black Business Week offers direct access to 15,000+ Black professionals, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers from finance, tech, law, media, and property. 88% of sponsors and exhibitors from previous editions surpassed their participation objectives.

Proven sponsor outcomes include:

  • HSBC delivered 121 business advice sessions and had 200+ meetings with Black business owners seeking growth and funding support
  • JPMorgan Chase featured in Black Men Business Talks alongside Sir Lenny Henry and David Olusoga, with recruitment roles filled within three months
  • American Express captured 1,500+ interactions and generated 12,000+ social media engagements
  • IBM delivered the keynote at the Black Tech Experience and promoted their free re-learning hub to hundreds of attendees
  • bp engaged recruitment teams across finance, tech, and engineering, capturing 50 signals of interest from their stand

Download the internal justification document to share with your leadership team: https://bit.ly/46XIOV7

  • Headline Sponsorship — exclusive brand ownership of the full Week
  • Stream Sponsorship — align to Finance, Tech, Property, Leadership, Legal, Media, or Allyship
  • Event Sponsorship — sponsor one of the 21 anchor events
  • Media Partnership — editorial and content exposure
  • Bespoke Packages — tailored to DEI, recruitment, or brand objectives

Enquire: ukblackbusinessweek.com/sponsor-an-event

 

Sponsoring UK Black Business Week is a tangible, reportable DEI and ESG action. It provides direct access to Black talent actively seeking employers, connects your brand with Black-owned suppliers and entrepreneurs, and signals genuine commitment to racial equity to both your workforce and external stakeholders.

Past sponsors have reported stronger brand sentiment, new supplier relationships, and improved recruitment outcomes as a direct result of their involvement.

If your organisation is interested in a media partnership for UK Black Business Week 2026, please complete the media partnership application form: https://5htvlo5oymr.typeform.com/to/uLnjfUDH

About UK Black Business Week

UK Black Business Week launched in 2021 as the UK and Europe's first dedicated week celebrating Black entrepreneurs, professionals, and allies, attracting 10,000 attendees in its inaugural year.

Year-on-year growth:

  • 2021 - 10,000 attendees (launch year)
  • 2022 - 11,000 attendees
  • 2023 - 13,000 attendees
  • 2024 - 15,000 attendees
  • 2026 - 10th anniversary of the wider UK Black Business Show platform

UK Black Business Week was founded by Dr. Raphael Sofoluke, a serial entrepreneur, author, and the driving force behind the UK Black Business Show, Birmingham Black Business Show, and Black Tech Achievement Awards. Raphael has been featured on BBC, Sky News, ITV, Forbes, The Times, The Telegraph, CBS, and Mastercard, and received a personal invitation to 10 Downing Street during Black History Month.

UK Black Business Week (Monday–Friday) and the UK Black Business Show (Saturday 17th October) together form the UK's biggest annual gathering for Black entrepreneurs and professionals. Both sit within the Black Business Experience portfolio, the umbrella brand also encompassing the Black Tech Achievement Awards and Black Business Forum.

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