Our History

The Beginning

As a black-led business network, B-Global was first launched in 2017 by Nottingham local councillor Leslie Ayoola. The aim was to provide business support in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire to ethnic minority-owned enterprises as well as to promote BAME business growth in the Midlands.

Founded with a mission to aid both new start-ups and established businesses of African heritage, B-Global remains Nottinghamshire’s only dedicated Black Business Network to date.

We currently serve more than 450,000 people from ethnic minority backgrounds in our local area. But we’re keen to reach even more BAME business owners. We want to help as many as we can to get their businesses off the ground and grow their enterprises.

Why Is B-Global So Important For BAME Business Owners In The Midlands?

Why is there a need for an organisation like B-Global in the East Midlands? The answer to this question is quite simple.

In 2020, a British Business Bank Report was released revealing that ethnic minority and black business owners were earning less than their white counterparts. This was due to a variety of “interconnected and systemic factors”.

These included financial, income, and social capital differences. It also included underrepresentation at the highest business levels. All of these elements add up to reduced opportunities for BAME entrepreneurs to develop and hone business-relevant knowledge, networks, and skills. That’s why B-Global is so important for BAME business owners in the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire areas.

B-Global seeks to redress this balance. It was set up to be a culturally specific and dedicated service to address the problem of under-representation. That’s why we provide valuable access to business resources in Nottingham, Derby, and the surrounding areas for BAME community members who could benefit from additional guidance.

The Future For B-Global

B-Global may be based in the city of Nottingham but we also offer our business support in Derbyshire and the rest of the East Midlands too. While we take pride in what we’ve achieved so far as an organisation, we don’t rest on our laurels. We’re a very ambitious and forward-thinking organisation. We want to eventually expand globally to connect black-led businesses in the UK with others all over the world.

While we’re very proud that since our launch in 2017, 200 businesses have already registered for our advisory services we know there’s still a lot for us to do. There’s a potential pool of 6,000 local businesses that could benefit from joining the B-Global network.

Could your business in Nottingham, Derby, or the wider East Midlands benefit from support from B-Global and the local authority?

Our advice about access to funding in Nottingham and Derby can help you get the start-up funding you need to launch your enterprise. Our networking business events in Nottingham can help you to grow your business in Nottinghamshire. Our training courses can equip you with the skills and knowledge you need for success.

We want you to get in touch with us today and join the B-Global community!