Monday 19 October 2020

To further support black business ownership, entrepreneurship and black employees in the capital, the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry has today announced it is launching the LCCI Black Business Association.

The Association will bring together business owners and employees who are LCCI members or part of LCCI’s ‘Community Network’ (which is open to all London businesses) to create a purposeful outlet enabling business networking and the promotion of black entrepreneurs and business ownership in London, as well as providing a forum to collectively discuss barriers to equality in London’s economy.

Lord Dr Michael Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE is the founding Chair of the LCCI Black Business Association. He said: “The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry is London’s premier network for business collaboration securing confidence from investors and innovators to keep the energy of this great city producing jobs and supporting livelihoods. That’s why now, it’s time for a City that benefits from black lives and once historically sadly too, black deaths, to build bonds of common purpose bringing in the wealth of talented black entrepreneurs and employers and workers to focus our vision on a city where all can thrive, with justice and equity and where work can be dignified for all. So I’m honoured to work with LCCI in establishing the LCCI Black Business Association and to call in all who have felt left aside, to build better together.”

Richard Burge, Chief Executive of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “London’s commercial community compromises a diverse range of business founders, owners and employees in different sectors, boroughs, races and gender.

“As the capital’s largest independent business network we use our voice to tackle a range of issues impacting different communities doing business in London

“With this in mind we feel it is important to do much more to support black-owned businesses and black entrepreneurs across the capital. And also to provide a forum for discussion around how to further break down the barriers to equality within our economy.”

For more information about the Black Business Association, or to register your interest please email bba@londonchamber.co.uk.