In collaboration with Wray & Nephew

Wray Forward:
Backing Black Business

Digital Resilience for our Communities

Black owned businesses make up 4% of the business population in the UK, yet they provide over 70,000 jobs and have a turnover of almost £4.5 billion – which is growing. (source: Greater London Authority). However, Black entrepreneurs are still being held back with limited access to financial support, education, and opportunities (source: British Business Bank).Community is who we are and why we are here, and it’s time to give back. As a nationwide initiative, Wray Forward aims to support UK Black business owners across the country by improving access, promoting ownership and facilitating growth.

Business Building Workshop

07 May 2025

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Virtual

Bag the Deal and Skyrocket Your Brand

Unlock the power of strategic partnerships by building a magnetic brand that attracts the right collaborations. Master the art of identifying, pitching, and negotiating with aligned brands to secure impactful deals. Structure lasting agreements, foster strong relationships, and leverage networking to unlock new business opportunities.

2 July 2025

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Campari 14-16 Great Portland St, London W1W 8QW

Unleash Your Story, Elevate Your Brand

Master the art of personal branding by defining your story, values, and vision to connect authentically with your audience. Position yourself as a thought leader, stand out in a competitive market, and transform visibility into opportunities like media features and partnerships. Build a loyal community, not just an audience, and leverage your brand to unlock business growth.

30 July 2025

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Virtual

Build Your Tribe and Fuel Growth Through Community

Uncover the key strategies for building a thriving, engaged community around your brand. Learn how to attract the right audience, foster meaningful connections, and turn engagement into long-term growth. Gain practical insights on leveraging digital platforms, creating impactful interactions, and leading with authenticity to inspire lasting support.

Events

Wray Forward Pitch & Rum Punch

Wray Forward Mixer

Henry McNeill-Njoku

Founder of Known Source

Eve-Marie Duquenne

Brand Manager at Campari Group UK

Pitch & Rum Punch

11 Jun 2025, London | 3 Sept 2025, London | 26 Nov 2025, London

Join us to showcase your business in front of panel of investors and industry leaders, with a chance to win a grant to support your venture.

Explore

Wray Forward Mixer

10 Dec 2025, London

Come and join us for the chance to come together and connect with other entrepreneurs, showcase your businesses and network with industry professionals.

Explore

My favourite part was the comparisons between Cecil and Izzy. I learn best by seeing real life examples, with both of them there to explain their characteristics and how they compliment each other was a great learning for me to use when conversing with those I’d like to do business with.

Olive Hooper, Founder of For the Fans

Wray Forward Powerbook

Wray Forward Powerbook - a list that spotlights 25 Black and Mixed-Black business owners transforming the norms of enterprise in the UK.

Learn more

The Wray Forward Community in Numbers

23+

Industries represented

1,196

Female business leaders (66%)

3,812

Businesses in the community

48+

Hours of free learning

Why this Programme, Why Now?

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 this programme?