In collaboration with Wray & Nephew

Wray Forward:
Backing Black Business

Register interest

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.
two women smiling and posing
woman smiling
group of woman holding drinks
man holding microphone and speaking
Group of food vendors at event
Man wearing green jacket and smiling
two women smiling and posing
woman smiling
group of woman holding drinks
man holding microphone and speaking
Group of food vendors at event
Man wearing green jacket and smiling
two women smiling and posing
woman smiling
group of woman holding drinks
man holding microphone and speaking
Group of food vendors at event
Man wearing green jacket and smiling
Business Building Workshop
01 October 2025
•
Virtual

The Hidden Formula for Funding Success

Master the funding game with confidence. Explore a range of financing options—from bootstrapping to venture capital—and discover what’s right for your business. Learn how to grab investor attention, position your business for success, and deliver a pitch that communicates value and growth potential. Navigate negotiations with ease, understand equity, and secure favorable terms. Build a foundation for long-term financial health and drive sustainable growth.
Register
2 July 2025
•
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.
Register
30 July 2025
•
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.
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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
Khalia Immerse Programme

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?
Register interest