Claudine Reid MBE joins forces with Lloyd’s Banking Group to give much-needed support and guidance to the next generation of Black business owners.
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Listed as one of Britain’s most influential Black women, Claudine Reid MBE is lending her business expertise as the new chairperson of Lloyds Banking Group’s Black Business Advisory Committee.
The new committee will comprise of Black founders, business owners and individuals that champion diversity and have a leading role in the Black community.
The committee’s aims include addressing the needs and barriers faced by Black business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. The committee will underpin future actions taken by the bank to ensure Black led businesses have the best opportunity to start, grow, adapt and thrive.
Lloyd’s Banking Group has introduced a number of measures to best serve the community, including most recently partnering with Foundervine, an award-winning social enterprise. The partnership will kick-off with a four-week course focused on preparing Black entrepreneurs for investment and linking up with potential investors.
“The proportion of Black business leaders in the City and the barriers faced by Black business owners across the country undermines the important role the Black community plays in the UK…”
Ms Reid MBE is an award-winning social entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience in Business training and coaching. The leading businesswoman has a wealth of experience in enhancing communities through her social enterprise, PJ’s Community Services which provides Care Services to vulnerable adults and children, as well as Education and Enterprise Support services to new and developing entrepreneurs.
To give insight into her motivations for joining forces with Lloyd’s Banking Group, it’s been reported that the number of Black Financial Stock Exchange CEOs, CFOs or Chairs has disappointingly fallen to just 0.7%.
Reid said: “As a recent report by the British Business Bank has shown, Black business owners also face challenges when it comes to starting up and growing their business. The proportion of Black business leaders in the City and the barriers faced by Black business owners across the country undermines the important role the Black community plays in the UK’s ongoing social and economic life.”
She continued: “I’ve taken on this role to help the UK’s largest financial services group on its journey of change and transformation. It’s become clear to me that Lloyds Banking Group is not simply paying lip service to issues relating to Race but is ready and willing to learn, develop and lead in improving Black representation in business.”
This article was written by Nicole Hemming
