Melanie Veronique Eusebe MBE (born 12 March 1977) is a British entrepreneur and author, known for co-founding the Black British Business Awards in 2014. She has written for publications such as The Huffington Post and Management Today.[1][2][3] She serves on the board of the Creative Industries Federation and teaches as a professor at the Hult International Business School in London.

Melanie Eusebe
Born (1977-03-12) 12 March 1977 (age 47)
St Austell, England
NationalityBritish
Alma materUniversity of Toronto; Birkbeck, University of London
Occupation(s)Entrepreneur and author
Known forFounder of the Black British Business Awards
Websitemelanieeusebe.com

Early life and education edit

Eusebe was born in England and grew up in Canada of Trinidadian-Dominican heritage,[4] with her mother being a psychiatric nurse who "worked two jobs".[5] Eusebe has said: "I was raised with black and white friends. I went to a predominantly white school.... Coming to London changed my black experience. In terms of my Caribbean-ness, it is just me. It is part of me, not all of me."[4] After graduating from the University of Toronto, she gained a master's degree in Philosophy (Ethics) from Birkbeck College at the University of London.[6]

Career edit

Eusebe started her career as a management consultant/strategist for more than 17 years with such global brands as IBM and Ernst & Young.[7] She subsequently started her own business services consultancy, The Fresh Ideas Company.[8][9] She is also an adjunct professor at Hult International Business School, with a focus on Leadership and Management Skills.[6]

The Black British Business Awards edit

In keeping with her concern to uncover role models and inspire a new generation of leaders, Eusebe together with international corporate finance lawyer Sophie Chandauka co-founded in 2014 The Black British Business Awards (BBBAs),[7] whose partners include Everywoman,[10] The Telegraph,[11] Evening Standard[12] and others.

Broadcasting and other media work edit

Eusebe works with various schools as a mentor and is a regular speaker, lecturer and broadcaster for BBC television and radio programmes such as BBC News at Six, What The Papers Say and Radio 4's Today,[6] as well as hosting a show at Colourful Radio.[13] She has written for such outlets as Huffington Post[14] and Management Today.[7]

Eusebe serves on several boards, among them the Creative Industries Federation.[7]

Eusebe was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to diversity in business.[15]

In July 2023, she was presented with an honorary degree from the University of Exeter – Doctor of Laws (LLD) – "in recognition of her commitment to championing diversity" throughout her career.[16][17]

References edit

  1. ^ George Eleady Cole, "Melanie Eusebe", Black Social History, 12 August 2015.
  2. ^ The Black British Business Awards website.
  3. ^ "About" Melanie Eusebe website.
  4. ^ a b Iesha Townsend, "Melanie Eusebe, Business Leader", Students for Students Initiative.
  5. ^ Natricia Duncan, "‘Black Businesses Become Billion Pound Industries’", The Voice, 27 September 2014.
  6. ^ a b c "Melanie Eusebe | Executive Producer of WoW at the Southbank Centre", The—Dots.
  7. ^ a b c d "Founders", The Black British Business Awards.
  8. ^ The Fresh Ideas Company.
  9. ^ "Inspirational Woman: Melanie Eusebe | Co-Founder of the Black British Business Awards", WeAreTheCity, 17 April 2014.
  10. ^ "Spotlight on Everywoman Club: Melanie Eusebe and Sophie Chandauka pave the way for workplace diversity", Update, Everywoman, May 2015, pp. 3–4.
  11. ^ Isabelle Fraser, "Black British Business Awards on the hunt for nominees", The Telegraph, 10 April 2017.
  12. ^ Benedict Moore-Bridger, "Black Business Awards given to rising stars", Evening Standard, 6 October 2016.
  13. ^ "About", The Fresh Ideas Company.
  14. ^ "Melanie Eusebe" at Huff Post.
  15. ^ "No. 63377". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 June 2021. p. B18.
  16. ^ "Honorary graduates 2023". University of Exeter. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  17. ^ Parton, Russell (25 July 2023). "Graduates urged to 'embrace gift of diversity' as Black British Business Awards founder honoured". University of Exeter. Retrieved 9 December 2023.

External links edit