In collaboration with Wray & Nephew

Wray Forward Conference

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Five years. Hundreds of founders. One community moving forward.

Wray Forward is taking over London for one unforgettable afternoon celebrating Black business, bold ideas and five years of moving the community forward. Expect real conversations about AI, funding, retail, branding and what customers want next, led by founders and experts who understand the journey.

Come ready to discover brilliant businesses, make connections that could open new doors and celebrate the launch of the 2026 Wray Forward Powerbook, spotlighting 25 standout founders from across the community. Then stay for the music, refreshments and unmistakable Wray Forward energy as we celebrate how far we have come - and everything still ahead.
Agenda
Arrivals & Welcome Speeches
Get settled, meet the Wray Forward community and feel the energy as we kick off the celebrations. Our welcome speeches set the stage for an afternoon of bold ideas, fresh connections and five years of championing Black entrepreneurship.
Retail Reimagined: AI and the New Consumer
Explore how AI is changing the way we shop, discover brands and connect with businesses. Hear from founders and industry voices on how to spot shifting customer needs, create better experiences and stay ahead in retail.

Krept, Musician & Founder of Nala’s Baby
Rachel Ama, Founder of Ama’s
Nishma Patel Robb, Founder & CEO, Switched ON
‍Charlotte Stavrou, Founder, SevenSix Agency
Culture as Currency: Building Scale & Loyalty in the Modern Economy
Discover how Black entrepreneurs are turning cultural influence and community trust into businesses built to last. This keynote explores the power of culture to inspire loyalty, stand out and turn today’s momentum into long-term growth.

Sharmadean Reid MBE, Founder, 39BC
Powerbook Launch Celebration
Meet the faces behind the ambition as we celebrate the Wray Forward Powerbook 2026. Big up the founders making bold moves, building brilliant businesses and inspiring the next wave of Black entrepreneurship.
The Connection Lounge
Step into The Connection Lounge for fresh perspectives, practical advice and conversations that move your business forward. Meet experts and fellow founders across Funding & Capital, Retail & E-Commerce, Brand & PR, and AI & Tech -  bring your questions and make connections that count.

Networking Lounge Hosts

Alicia Richardson
Founder, Black Create Connect
Kofi Josephs
Founder & CEO, Why Not I
Charlotte Stavrou
Founder, SevenSix Agency
Randel Bryan
Vice President, London Tech Week
Hazaud Regis Gnaly
Founder, Griot Data
Join us on 30 October 2026, from 14:00–19:00 in London.
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Meet the Powerbook 25

The Wray Forward Powerbook celebrates 25 standout Black-owned businesses from across the Wray Forward community. The 2026 edition will be revealed from 1 October, spotlighting the founders, ideas and businesses shaping what comes next.
Explore the 2026 Powerbook

Five years of Wray Forward

23+
Industries represented
1,687
Female business leaders (62%)
2,721
Businesses supported
£17.7M
Funding raised by businesses
Join us on 30 October 2026, from 14:00–19:00 in London.
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Why Wray Forward

Unveil the essence of our Wray Forward programme, intricately designed to address the diverse challenges facing our entrepreneurial and artistic community, driven by an unwavering commitment to fostering inclusivity and support in the aftermath of the pandemic's disruptions, with the ultimate goal of facilitating sustainable growth and collective resilience, aiming not only to provide immediate assistance but also to ignite a transformative journey, amplifying the voices and ambitions of our vibrant community, guiding them towards lasting success and prosperity.​

Wray Forward is a free programme built to change and support the foundations of our community.
Would you or someone you know benefit from the Wray Forward Conference?
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