The South West Business Council has been working closely with our member, the Diversity Business Incubator (DBI), to support the fantastic work they do to reduce poverty and discrimination by championing ethnic minority communities and promoting inclusivity.
The DBI works with organisations to better improve diversity in the workplace and offers training and support schemes for BAME individuals. Managing Director, Jabo Butera, also sits on the South West Business Council statutory board, offering guidance on how to support entrepreneurs within the BAME community.
The South West Business Council recently supported the DBI at their Grand BAME Gala Awards back in February 2022. The event celebrated talented individuals from the Black Asian and Minority Ethnic community in Plymouth and beyond by shining a light on their amazing business achievements.
As sponsors of the award’s Fintech category, which recognised individuals and organisations using technology to encourage financial resilience, SWBC’s CEO Paul Coles was in attendance on the night to present the category’s winner. The accolade was awarded to Jones Oviawe, Founder of Money Story Technologies, a Cornwall based start-up and leading provider of cutting-edge contemplative financial wellbeing technology and services.
South West Business Council have also assisted the DBI with making valuable business connections that have since led to profitable deals and opportunities. For example, by introducing them to key contacts at the Great Western Railway, the DBI were subsequently given the opportunity to work alongside the national train operator to help them improve the inclusivity and diversity of their workforce. The partnership led to the recruitment of new BAME train drivers within GWR.
Jabo Butera, Managing Director of the DBI, said: “The DBI work with many black, asian, and minority ethnic individuals, helping them to overcome the stumbling blocks of financial and discriminatory circumstances. We encourage entrepreneurs to rise to the challenge by promoting diversity through their work and celebrating how this can catalyse innovation and creativity.
“As part of the SWBC board, I am proud to work in collaboration with the South West Business Council, who champion our mission and help us make a difference to the BAME community. Through our membership, we have gained valuable contacts within the business community which enables us to expand the reach of our support.
Paul Coles, CEO of the South West Business Council, said: “The South West Business Council will always be in support of providing opportunities to talented entrepreneurs within the BAME community.
“As the business voice for the region, it’s crucial that the work we are doing represents the South West in all its diversity and emulates our values of inclusivity and equality. We are honoured to have Jabo on our board and were delighted to support the DBI recently at their Grand BAME Gala Awards.
“We are committed to working with businesses, like the DBI, who make a positive impact in the South West; supporting budding entrepreneurs and promoting diversity and economic prosperity and look forward to continuing our support for them in the coming months.
To find out more about South West Business Council membership, please visit: www.southwestbusinesscouncil.co.uk/join-us/membership-pack-services
To find out more about the Diversity Business Incubator, please visit: http://dbi.org.uk.
