Leadership Programme
Delegates 2022
Our Leadership Programme is a 6-month transformative programme, that brings together a cohort of high performing Black professionals from across all corporate industries. The curriculum is designed to accelerate the careers of mid-senior level black professionals.
The programme applies a blended learning approach to support different learning styles, including group coaching and training, practical exercises, webinars, networking, and in-person seminars.
The course provides stimulating content delivered by coaches, business leaders, and inspiring speakers with extensive experience coaching black professionals.
THE COHORT
CHERISE THORNICROFT
Cherise Thornicroft
Recruitment Manager
Montagu Evans
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Expertise: Mid - Senior Level Resourcing & Selection - Early Careers Recruitment - Process Improvement/Culture Change/Talent Management using talent acquisition practices
Company: Montagu Evans
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Title: Recruitment Manager
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Area of Expertise: Mid - Senior Level Resourcing & Selection - Early Careers Recruitment - Process Improvement/Culture Change/Talent Management using talent acquisition practices
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What leader [historic or present] would you say has influenced you the most?: Sharmadean Reid/Shaa Wasmund
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Bio: Hello - I'm Cherise, a CIPD qualified Recruitment Manager with 8 years in experience in managing recruitment processes within the Property, Travel & Hospitality sectors. I've worked on building recruitment infrastructure from the group up in start up companies which led to more efficient processes and cost reductions. I have also led early careers programs for graduates, interns and apprenticeships. I have previously managed and developed international recruitment teams. I've enjoyed working for companies that are preparing for growth/change whilst helping to structure processes, teams and culture to enable it to all happen. I am passionate about the candidate and hiring manager experience and the work I do helps to prepare business to hire exceptional talent. For me the best part of my role is building strong, lasting relationships and providing opportunities to underrepresented talent.
IRENE MOORE
Company: JLL
Title: Associate Director
Areas of expertise: The Party Wall Act & Access Agreements (Access to Neighbouring land)
What leader [historic or present] would you say has influenced you the most? Nelson Mandela
Bio: Irene is an Associate Director at JLL heading the Neighbourly Matters team and specialises in the Party Wall etc Act 1996 with over 13 years’ experience acting for both homeowners and developers by providing strategic advice on the Act including scaffolding/crane oversail licences. Some of Irene's clients include the Crown Estate, The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Aviva, L&G, Barclays Bank, Santander, The City of London, etc. Irene possesses a LLB Law degree with a vast experience in the construction and built industry.
Irene
Moore
Associate Director
JJL​
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Expertise: The Party Wall Act & Access Agreements (Access to Neighbouring land)
IZUKA SOLIGBO
Surveyor
Francis Blackstone Surveyors
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Expertise: Residential Property Surveys/valuation, Facilities Support Services Management, Managing Community Services
Izuka
Soligbo
Company: Francis Blackstone Surveyors
Title: Surveyor
Areas of expertise: Residential Property Surveys/valuation, Facilities Support Services Management, Managing Community Services
What leader [historic or present] would you say has influenced you the most? President Paul Kagame of Rwanda
Bio: BSc (Hons) in Social Sciences 2.1, MSc in Project Management Distinction, AssocRICS Chartered Residential Surveyor and Valuer. My Alumni are The Open University and Anglia Ruskin University ARU.
I am interested in the social construction of communities and the dynamic belongings and associations formed. For this reason, I take keen interest in what happens in social communities and continually seeking the right opportunity to influence and shape them. I set up and ran a young people’s drug awareness training project, ‘Drop d Drug’, in London Borough of Barking and Dagenham from 2008 to 2010. I produced a drug awareness video in collaboration with local groups and young people. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85GUWciCwjE
I have developed significant interest in web and mobile based application developments in social media and work-based services. I have had several unsuccessful attempts over the last ten years; however, I am currently developing a promising large scale mobile social media eco system with my partner. Also, I designed and developed a residential survey inspection and report generation Mobile App in 2016 and have successfully used the App to completed more than 1500 inspections - Surveyor Survey Scriber https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.surveyscriber.android
JERRAN WHYTE
Company: Belvedere Wealth Management
Title: Principal Partner
Area of expertise: Financial Advice, Wealth Management, Investment Management
What leader [historic or present] would you say has influenced you the most? My parents are my heroes.
Bio: Belvedere Wealth Management (BWM), setup in 2017, is led by Jerran Whyte. With over 12 years of wealth management advisory experience both UK and Internationally, BWM boasts to have clients in the UK, Europe, Africa and Asia as well as a physical presence in the UK and Namibia. We are proud to be directly authorised by the FCA to manage clients here and internationally. Direct authorisation means we report directly into the FCA, which means we are heavily regulated and are expected to have robust processes and protections in place. Jerran is also a board member of the Windrush Housing Association.
Jerran
Whyte
Principal Partner
Belvedere Wealth Management
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Expertise: Financial Advice, Wealth Management, Investment Management
KELLY MATTHEWS
Head of Department
Savills
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Expertise: Pitching & winning business, growing market share, negotiation all related to residential lettings
Kelly
Matthews
Company: Savills
Title: Head of Department
Areas of expertise: Pitching & winning business, growing market share, negotiation all related to residential lettings
Bio: I have been in the residential lettings industry since 2005 having started as a junior negotiator in the suburbs of London, I then moved to the prime central London market in Mayfair & Marylebone before moving to Oxford and joining Savills 9 years ago. I joined Savills as an Associate (negotiator) and have been promoted twice, firstly to Associate Director and then to Head of Department within the same year, I took a 9 month maternity break in 2016/17. Currently I am on the internal Savills promotion program to be become Director in 2023 and that is why I wanted to join your leadership programme, to give me to skills I will need to take the next step in my career and become and a strong and confident role model for my fellow ethic minority colleagues. It is extremely important to me to see more diversity and inclusion across all levels of the business, but in particular at Associate Director level and above. Being part of this program would enable me to become an inspiring and impactful mentor and member of the Savills community
LAWAL ZUBAIRU
Company: Grosvenor Britain & Ireland
Title: Senior Surveyor
Areas of expertise: Property & Asset Management
What leader [historic or present] would you say has influenced you the most? Nelson Mandela
Bio: Having grown up in South Yorkshire, I made the move down to London after my time at University in Newcastle upon Tyne. I gained professional qualification as a Chartered Surveyor in 2009, and have since worked at a number of global firms in both the public and private sectors. I joined my current employer Grosvenor Britain & Ireland in 2016 and work as Senior Surveyor managing a team of five Property Managers who look after a portfolio of commercial property assets in Mayfair. When away from work, I enjoy socialising, music, travelling, and playing football and basketball.
Lawal
zubairu
Senior Surveyor
Grosvenor Britain & Ireland
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Expertise: Property & Asset Management
Associate Director
Savills
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Expertise: Asset management, Industrial & Logistics property management, pre-acquisition Due Diligence.
Michael
Slaven
MICHAEL SLAVEN
Company: Savills
Title: Associate Director
Areas of expertise: Asset management, Industrial & Logistics property management, pre-acquisition Due Diligence.
What leader [historic or present] would you say has influenced you the most? Martin Luther King
Bio: I have worked in property for most of my working life and have been privileged to work in the voluntary, public and private sectors in a variety of property related roles. I have been a member of the RICS for over 20 years and active in charity and voluntary organisations in the North West. I have positions at board level in a number of charities.
MORENIKE ONAJOBI
Company: Montagu Evans
Title: HR Advisor
Areas of expertise: HR, Employment Law, Business Strategy
What leader [historic or present] would you say has influenced you the most? Maya Angelou
Bio: I have over 7 years of HR experience, specialising in employment law, organisational design and business strategy.
I have a proven ability to diffuse highly charged employment disputes and minimise legal risk as well as reputational damage, whilst also maintaining a safe environment for all parties involved. I have been with Montagu-Evans for over a year, and have since co-launched 'Open Circle' an internal network that focuses on educating, celebrating and promoting racial diversity.
I am passionate about the wellbeing of vulnerable, marginalised and under-represented groups. For more than 10 years, I have played an active role in ‘Initiatives of Change’ (Switzerland), where I have been directly involved in providing mediation and representation for those in war-torn countries and in the midst of national/international crises; namely, the #EndSars movement in Nigeria and the civil-political unrest in Syria.
Further to this, my passion for the transformative nature of the arts has led me to extensive consultancy work with Intermission Youth (Theatre), which has impacted the lives of hundreds of inner-London youth, who are at risk, or have history of offending. Additionally, I created a handbook for the ‘Principles in Finance’ and Barclays Bank collaboration, to support people leaving the incarceration system with managing their finances, such to reduce their chances of reoffending. This work was recognised by Her Majesty The Queen, resulting in a reception in Buckingham Palace.
I look forward to using the tools learned during this leadership programme to help me be a more well rounded person and professional.
Morenike
Onajobi
HR Advisor
Montagu Evans
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Expertise: HR, Employment Law, Business Strategy
Finance Manager
Grosvenor Estate Management Ltd
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Expertise: Insight, analysis, systems
Nicole
Mensah
NICOLE MENSAH
Company: Grosvenor Estate Management Ltd
Title: Finance Manager
Areas of expertise: Insight, analysis, systems
What leader [historic or present] would you say has influenced you the most? I can't think of a famous leader that has influenced me more than my parents.
Bio: I have worked in Finance for BBC Worldwide, Credit Suisse Investment Bank, Kaupthing Investment bank and now Grosvenor Estate Management Ltd.
OLA ALADE
Company: The Arch Company
Title: Asset Manager
Areas of expertise: Landlord and Tenant, Sales & negotiation, Property Strategy
What leader [historic or present] would you say has influenced you the most? Barack Obama
Bio: Ola is an Asset Manager at The Arch Company with experience in Industrial, Office and retail property. He also has previous experience in healthcare property, working with Primary Health Properties and NHS Property Services. Ola has been shortlisted for Young Surveyor of the Year awards twice and has experience at speaking at industry events such as MIPIM UK 2019. Ola is interested in more speaking engagement and developing his article writing about the property industry.
Asset Manager
The Arch Company
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Expertise: Landlord and Tenant, Sales & negotiation, Property Strategy
Ola
Alade
Economist
Civil Service
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Expertise: Economic Appraisal, Data Analysis
Ola
Idowu
OLA IDOWU
​Company: Civil Service
Title: Economist
Areas of expertise: Economic Appraisal, Data Analysis
What leader [historic or present] would you say has influenced you the most? Malcolm X
Bio: I am a government economist with 5 years experience providing economic appraisal of a number Business and Energy related policy areas. I also have experience hosting panel discussions, delivering workshops and managing teams. Previously a part of the 2015-16 Operation Black Vote Civic Leadership cohort. Currently undertaking a MSC in Economics.
SELINA BAPTISTE
Company: Opal Build Ltd
Title: Commercial Manager/Quantity Surveyor
Areas of expertise: Commercial Management/Quantity Surveying professional in the Construction industry. Including Commercial, Residential, Education and Healthcare
What leader [historic or present] would you say has influenced you the most? Previous Management
Bio: I currently have 8 years experience within the built environment as a Quantity Surveyor/Cost Consultant. I have worked on a variety of projects throughout the UK and EMEA. Working on all aspects from Pre-Construction to Completion of Projects advising clients on costs through feasibility studies to practical completion; to the Commercial Management of Subcontractors from Procurement through to sign off of final accounting and contract documentation. I have applied for a governor roles through the STEM network, but was unsuccessful. I was previously a Committee Chair for Schools and Universities for MATRICS (Members and Trainees of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), in which I held talks and attend career events to educate those that are not aware of the different roles within the industry or not aware of the industry at all. As a recently MRICS Surveyor I would like to look at next steps to progressing further within my role, either through a company or setting up and developing on my own.
Commercial Manager/Quantity Surveyor
Opal Build Ltd
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Expertise: Commercial Management/Quantity Surveying professional in the Construction industry. Including Commercial, Residential, Education and Healthcare
Selina
Baptiste
SEYI SOBODU
Company: Montagu Evans
Title: Special Project Lead
Areas of expertise: Finance, Strategy, Business Planning
Bio: Finance Consultant / Head of Finance with over 18 years’ Progressive Operations, Finance, and Resource Management experience. An agile individual; helping to drive efficiency within Finance through standardisation, automation and simplification of systems and processes. Demonstrated ability to streamline operations and establish cross functional partnerships in challenging environments to deliver remarkable results. Experience of SAP & Yardi Voyager implementation.
Special Project Lead
Montagu Evans
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Expertise: Finance, Strategy, Business Planning
Seyi
Sobodu
Human Resources and Operations Officer
Cambridge Econometrics
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Expertise: Recruitment, Staffing and Retention, Employee Relations Management and Performance/training need management
Vivian Ifeoma
Adeyemi
Company: Cambridge Econometrics
Title: Human Resources and Operations Officer
Areas of expertise: Recruitment, Staffing and Retention, Employee Relations Management and Performance/training need management
What leader [historic or present] would you say has influenced you the most? My parents have influenced me the most. I also draw motivation from my personal tutor and lecturer, previous and current line managers and female leaders in politics especially Mrs Obama.
Bio: I am a HR professional with Associate CIPD level 7 and have about 13 years experience including training to date. I currently work for an Economic Consultancy as HR and Operations officer based in Cambridge, UK. I am responsible for the Human Resource Management and Operations of about 40+ economist across our offices in Budapest, Brussels, Cambridge and Massachusetts. My biggest achievement is rising from an administrative role to a managerial role with over 45% salary increase in a short space of time. My professional and academic achievements includes gold award achieved for championing Green Impact at work, award for outstanding academic performance and fully funded Masters degree
VIVIAN IFEOMA ADEYEMI
YOHANCE HARPER
Company: Quadrant Estates
Title: Associate Partner
Areas of expertise: Development, strategic asset and investment management, Finance
What leader [historic or present] would you say has influenced you the most? Ray Dalio
Bio: Yohance is an Associate Partner at Quadrant Estates where he focuses on the asset and development management of c.500,000 sq. ft of new build offices in London.
Prior to this, Yohance studied and worked in architecture on commercial projects in the UK and luxury residential abroad before joining CBRE in 2014. Yohance spent a year in investment valuations before joining CBRE’s Capital Advisors. There he was a non-discretionary advisor working debt and equity investment strategies focusing on development. This included fund structuring, investment management, strategic development management, asset repositioning and development finance.
Outside of his professional role Yohance is an honorary lecturer at UCL’s Bartlett School of Planning, visiting lecturer at The University of Westminster, and a visiting research fellow in the economics department of Goldsmiths University. He also holds academic and committee roles at The ULI, RICS and UCEM. He has received various awards from the RICS and BPF and most recently the British Council for Offices Rising Star. In 2021 he began the conversion of a warehouse for his home which will be featured on Channel 4
Associate Partner
Quadrant Estates
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Expertise: Development, strategic asset and investment management, Finance
Yohance
Harper
WANT TO BE IN THE NEXT COHORT?
For more information on the programme or to register your interest for our next cohort please email contact@werisein.co.uk
