Full credit to Professor Monder Ram OBE for organising yet again the Ethnic Minority Business Conference. Now in it's 20th year, the annual event celebrates the extraordinary achievements of ordinary existing and emerging business leaders and their corporate commitment to the theme of Diversity.
Held last Thursday at Fazeley Studios in Birmingham, the all-day conference, which featured panel discussions, attracted over 100 delegates representing a wide range of professional sectors. The four main topics discussed were: Alternative Sources of Finance and Diversity; Enterprise, Diversity & Cities; A New Approach to Inclusive Business Sport; and Looking Ahead: The Future of Minority Enterprise. The evening featured a round-table gala dinner. Speakers included entrepreneur Rabih Bader, Lara Ratnaraja and Lorely, the Baroness Burt of Solihull.
There was a moment of hysterics when silence during a speech was distracted by a SatNav voice on a guest’s mobile. Thankfully the guest hastily switched off his phone. Also in attendance were women entrepreneurs Pushpa Alexander, Neelam Meetcha as well as event sponsor Lloyds Bank’ Inclusion & Diversity Manager Zarina Mahmud and Telford & Wrekin’s police & Crime Commissioner Ambassador Sherrel Fikeis.
A bouquet of flowers was presented to Sophie Sinclair by her boss Monder for her “tireless efforts” in organising this day. Professor Ram, pictured, is Director of the Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CRÈME). He joined University of Birmingham Business School from De Montfort University in September 2013. I first met Professor Ram in 2004, the year in which he was awarded an OBE for his services to black and ethnic minority businesses and I must say he’s one of a kind, a man of integrity, passion and a soul larger than life. The fact he’s managed to sustain in his line of work and keep his feet firmly on the ground, unlike so many others in his field who over the years have come and gone, deserves commendation.
