Queen Mary Business School students attend UK Black Business Week

11 November 2026

Students from Queen Mary Business School attended UK Black Business Week 2026, one of the UK's largest events celebrating Black business, entrepreneurship and professional achievement.  

Taking place at London's ExCeL, the week brought together business leaders, founders, employers and aspiring professionals from a wide range of sectors. Through talks, workshops, networking events and the careers fair, students had the opportunity to hear directly from people shaping industries including finance, media, technology and entrepreneurship, gaining insights, inspiration and new professional connections. 

The initiative was supported by Queen Mary Business School as part of its commitment to connecting students with opportunities beyond the classroom and helping them build the confidence, skills and networks needed for their future careers. 

The event also held particular significance for the Business School as Dr. Raphael Sofoluke, Founder and CEO of UK Black Business Week, recently joined the School's Global Advisory Board.

Students highlighted the practical benefits of attending, from building professional networks to gaining a deeper understanding of career pathways and entrepreneurship. 

 

Reflecting on the experience, Marielle Bony, a student on the MSc International Business Analytics programme, said: 

"Over a full week, I met professionals and entrepreneurs from sport, media, finance and many other sectors. Hearing their journeys, and the challenges they have overcome, was both inspiring and very practical." 

"Being surrounded by people who look like me and have succeeded reinforced my belief that my own ambitions, including the projects I lead, are achievable." 

 

Tolga, an MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management student, said: 

"The talks and panel sessions gave me practical insight into the industry and into running a business, and hearing entrepreneurs talk about their own journeys was especially useful." 

"As an MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management student who plans to found his own venture after gaining some work experience, I found the week very motivating." 

 

Ayomide highlighted the value of the careers-focused activities: 

"During the Career Fair, I learned about some reasons why my job applications may have been unsuccessful and gained some tips for future applications." 

"I was also able to speak one-on-one with senior professionals and talent acquisition staff, which led to referrals for roles that I am now exploring."

By bringing students together with employers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders, UK Black Business Week offered valuable opportunities to learn from real-world experiences, expand professional networks and explore future career pathways.