Shelley Bishton and Chris Brook-Carter appointed as trustees of the Black British Initiative
Shelley Bishton, Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) at News UK, and Chris Brook-Carter, CEO of the Retail Trust, proudly announce their new roles as trustees for the Black British Initiative (BBI). This appointment aligns with their commitment to promoting diversity in business and empowering Black professionals within the UK.
Registered charity Black British Initiative’s aim is to sew social cohesion and challenge systemic, structural and institutional racism leading to numerous inequities, such as the wealth disparity, faced by the UK’s underserved and underrepresented communities. By promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, BBI seeks to practically achieve its mission by delivering various programmes, such as educational initiative MBA 30, a SOAS University of London accredited mini MBA, focussed on helping burgeoning Black entrepreneurs to achieve their full potential and by doing so, enabling them to make a full contribution to the UK’s economic growth.
As trustees, Bishton and Brook-Carter will leverage their extensive experience in DE&I and business leadership to further BBI’s mission, driving initiatives that foster equal opportunities, leading to a level ‘playing field’.
“I am honoured to join the Black British Initiative as a trustee,” said Bishton. “This role represents a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful change within the business community. I am passionate about fostering an inclusive environment where every entrepreneur, regardless of their background, has the chance to thrive.”
Chris Brook-Carter, who brings a wealth of experience from his role at the Retail Trust, expressed his enthusiasm for his new position: “I am thrilled to join the Black British Initiative as a trustee. This platform is crucial in addressing the challenges faced by Black business owners in retail and beyond and I am committed to supporting its mission to create a more equitable business landscape, where these fledgling businesses can start to flourish.”
In addition to this new role, Bishton completed the MBA30 in 2024, a ground breaking executive educational programme, launched by the Black British Initiative in association with Baroness Doreen Lawrence’s SLDF and squarely aimed at addressing the inequalities faced by Black entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs in the business landscape. The programme equips participants with essential and advanced business skills, knowledge and networking opportunities, significantly enhancing their capacity to lead, innovate, grow and become commercially successful.
The MBA30 was designed to break down barriers and develop a new generation of Black leaders in business. “Completing the MBA30 last year was a transformative experience,” added Bishton. “The knowledge and skills I gained not only empowered me but reinforced my commitment to driving change in the business sector. I look forward to bringing these insights into my work with the BBI.”
Darren Miller, CEO and Founder of the Black British Initiative, expressed enthusiasm about the appointments: “I am delighted about these two appointments, Shelley is a multiple award-winning DEI expert and her extensive experience and commitment to empowering Black entrepreneurs will be invaluable to our organisation”. As head of DE&I at News UK, Shelley Bishton has been a driving force behind various initiatives aimed at fostering an inclusive culture within the organisation. Her dedication to creating spaces where diversity is celebrated and valued has set a benchmark for others in the industry. In her role with the BBI, Bishton aims to expand these efforts, advocating for systemic changes that uplift Black-owned businesses and by association, the wider community across the UK.
Chris Brook-Carter, boasts an enviable reputation, renowned for supporting the well-being and development of retail workers through the Retail Trust. The Retail Trust is the largest charity in the retail sector established in 1832, former Patron HRH Queen Elizabeth II. The retail sector is the UK’s greatest employer outside of the public sector, underpinning the importance and status of the Retail Trust. Chris’s knowledge, network and ethos brings a unique perspective to BBI and has already demonstrated his commitment to the cause, by consistently supporting BBI’s MBA 30, as an industry expert, sharing his vast knowledge with the entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs making up each cohort.
Darren Miller added “ Chris’s leadership and commitment to creating supportive environments for all individuals will be instrumental in advancing the goals of BBI. The UK boasts such incredible entrepreneurial talent, just waiting to be realised and so, we are excited to work alongside Shelley and Chris to dismantle systemic barriers and foster a more inclusive business environment, where talent meets opportunities without prejudice”.
