‘Be true to yourself, but don’t expect an easy ride’: Advice from top entrepreneurs
Edgar Chibaka won the Black British Business Person of the Year award together with his co-founder Jamal Tahlil in 2021, having grown their security company First Response Group into a business boasting a £60m turnover.
Gisela Abbam, the first black chair of the British Science Association, who has also negotiated World Trade Organisation level policy, won the same award in 2019.
Here they share the impact of winning on their personal and professional lives as well as offering advice to fellow black professionals.
Nominations are open for the 11th year of the awards. You can submit yours here.
What did winning the Black British Business Person of the Year award mean to you?
Edgar Chibaka: For myself and my co-founder of First Response Group, Jamal Tahlil, it represented the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and staying strong in our beliefs – to treat people and our workforce as equals regardless of race, religion or gender. As African immigrants we faced much discrimination over the years, and it was a real struggle just to secure financial support. In fact, we had to fund our business on a credit card in the early days.
We experienced the same frustrations when we first met, being overlooked for opportunities, like we didn’t matter. I guess we matter now.
Gisela Abbam: It was transformational. I was humbled to be chosen from such a stellar group of finalists. The award meant that I was making a difference and I could use it to encourage, inspire and motivate black students and professionals to excel and not give up. I have since then spoken to thousands of students – both black and white to inspire them to succeed and I’ve mentored and advised hundreds of professionals.
How did winning impact you professionally?
EC: Ultimately, I am a business person, and my and my company’s destiny is in the hands of the fantastic management team and staff we have built around us. Winning the award hasn’t changed that, or the ethos by which First Response Group is run, but it has certainly helped to place our business at the top table.
Jamal and I are now being invited to more events as a result, and if we are seen as role models, or exemplars of black British entrepreneurship, and this can only impact us and our company positively.
GA: I went from being the first black chair of the British Science Association to first black chair of the General Pharmaceutical Council – the regulator for the pharmacy industry. I’ve won more awards and in addition to my corporate role working for a multinational company called Revvity; I’m serving on more committees in roles such as Commissioner for the National Preparedness Commission, and boards such as the Bar Standards Board – the regulator for barristers.
What advice do you have for aspiring black professionals and entrepreneurs?
EC: First of all, don’t expect an easy ride. Not just because you are black, but because the climate can be very demanding, so it’s important to make sure you self-care and look after your mental health. Have faith in what you believe and don’t let the knockbacks dent your confidence.
We strive to develop leaders from within in our business. We look for the potential in everyone and we encourage personal growth. If you wholeheartedly believe you have an idea that can make a difference, or disrupt the norm, fight for it, but stay true to yourself.
GA: Don’t give up. You can do it. Continue to persevere and build or join a network for ideas, inspiration and support. Focus on the goal and always find the time to share your knowledge and expertise with other black professionals and entrepreneurs as you move up the career ladder.
How do you achieve work-life balance?
EC: Everything for me comes back to people, who are without doubt a company’s greatest asset. Our objective is to cultivate a culture of inclusion and happiness where all employees feel part of the team, contribute positively to company development, and share in our successes.
This is crucial to our long-term sustainability as a company and, coupled with our Inclusive Employers Standard accreditation and work with the Living Wage Foundation, critical to ensuring the work-life balance and mental wellbeing of our people. Our culture helps us attract, develop and retain the best talent, ensuring we deliver exceptional customer experiences.
GA: It remains a challenge but even during hectic periods of work, I focus on doing a daily activity I thoroughly enjoy, (sometimes for 30 minutes) that relaxes me.
Who as a trailblazer has impacted your career the most?
EC: Aliko Dangote, the Nigerian industrialist founder of Dangote Group - he built his businesses on purpose, solving African challenges and giving to communities.
GA: My maternal family as I come from a family of firsts. My maternal ancestor, named Francis (Frans) Thomas Dove, was admitted to Lincoln’s Inn at age 19 on September 21, 1888 having previously studied at UCL. He was the second son of William Thomas Dove of Sierra Leone. He was then called to the UK bar on June 10, 1891 as he was not allowed to practice as a barrister until he was 21 as he qualified too early at age 19.
He became the leader of the Gold Coast Bar and chairman of the Turf Club, a horse racing club. He was called the “Perry Mason” of Ghana. He used what he learnt in UK and built the first tennis courts in Ghana. His first daughter Evelyn Dove was the first black woman to sing on the BBC.
Mabel Dove Danquah, another relative and daughter of Frans Dove, was one of the first female journalists in Africa and I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with her not too long before she passed away.
Who or what drives you every day?
EC: My passion is to make First Response Group the leading multi-service and security provider in the UK. I tell people I’m British, and I contribute to the British economy and the communities in which I live and work.
As a black African immigrant yes, my roots are there, but the fruits are here. And each day I remind myself of this. I am also a devout Christian and pastor in my hometown of Leeds. This is very important to me, that I have a faith, and that I can help my family, and my community live abundant lives.
GA: I am self-motivated to make a difference to the lives of people. I also focus on contributing to improving health outcomes globally. I decided to become a global advocate for health when I suffered a lot of ill health in the past due to late diagnosis of endometriosis. I have written over 50 white papers for governments and have spoken at the UN General Assembly on the need for early diagnosis of diseases.
What’s next for you?
EC: We have bold plans for our business and have instilled a management team to take us to the next level. These past few years, which has seen turnover rise from £25m to £60m and our staff count increase to 2,000, demonstrates we have the right team to succeed.
Personally, I want to see this done with a culture of inclusivity. And, from the top down, to be run by individuals regardless of colour, gender, background or disability. Finally, I hope that young black British people can look at us and say, ‘if Edgar and Jamal can do it, so can I’.
GA: Joining a FTSE board. There are very few black women on FTSE boards and I believe my inaugural executive roles in multinational companies will stand me in good stead.
I will continue to speak to presidents and prime ministers at the UN General Assembly about the prioritisation of health and the importance of early diagnosis and health in every government policy.
I will also continue to support students and up and coming professionals.
The Telegraph is the national media partner of The Black British Business Awards.
