Breaking Barriers: From Challenges to Change
Join us for a transformative and inspiring session celebrating leadership, resilience, and equity. Breaking Barriers: From Challenges to Change brings together voices and stories that highlight the journeys, triumphs, and influence of leaders and business owners from ethnic and racial minority backgrounds.
Through candid conversation and shared experiences, this session will explore what works in practice, how progress can be sustained, and the role each of us can play – whether as a leader, mentor, sponsor or advocate – in shaping a more inclusive and equitable business community. Above all, the event aims to empower attendees, sharing real stories, practical tools, and creating a supportive space for growth and connection.
What to expect:
- A focused panel discussion with inspiring leaders, exploring journeys to leadership, overcoming systemic barriers often referred to as the ‘Black and Brown glass ceiling’, and using influence to uplift the next generation
- Open, inclusive dialogue that welcomes all participants, whether you are of an ethnic and racial minority background or as an advocate committed to driving change
- Practical strategies and tools to support career progression, build confidence, and expand your influence
- Dedicated networking time to share best practice, foster meaningful connections, and strengthen the business community
- Signposts to resources, mentors, and networks to help attendees define and achieve their personal and professional goals
Our objectives:
- Inspire through the lived experiences of ethnic and racial minority background leaders, motivating individuals to pursue and achieve success on their own terms
- Encourage honest and reflective conversation about race, identity, and inclusion in the workplace
- Equip participants with actionable strategies to navigate bias and systemic barriers
- Engage allies and sustain collective action that drives measurable change
- Celebrate excellence and leadership, showcasing the legacy and impact of those breaking barriers today
About the Speakers:
Ifem Onuora is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager, now recognised as a senior leader in equality, diversity and inclusion across the professional game. He is Head of Race Equality & Inclusion at the Premier League, where he provides strategic leadership on inclusion policy and delivery across the League and its clubs, and is credited with shaping high-profile, long-term work to tackle discrimination and improve representation.
Appointed in 2021 as the first person to hold the Premier League’s top EDI post, Onuora chairs the League’s Black Participants’ Advisory Group and leads programmes including No Room For Racism and the flagship Player to Executive Pathways Scheme, aimed at broadening opportunity and progression into leadership across football.
Onuora’s authority in this space is underpinned by a substantial career spanning elite performance and professional governance. As a striker, he enjoyed a 15-year playing career in the English Football League, featuring notably for Huddersfield Town, Gillingham and Swindon Town. He later moved into coaching and management, including spells in charge at Swindon Town and as head coach of the Ethiopia national team (2010–2011).
Cecilia is an expert criminal defence solicitor with extensive experience in representing high-net-worth clients in business, the creative industry, and sport. She provides comprehensive legal support at all stages of criminal proceedings, from investigation to trial.
Her practice is centred on client needs, with a strong emphasis on discretion and strategic representation. As a highly regarded solicitor, her reputation is built on trust, diligence, and referrals from satisfied clients.
Atif Mahmood is the Co-founder of Livaty, an organisation that helps SMEs and non-profits accelerate their growth through grants and tax relief. Livaty’s innovative grant subscription model acts as an external funding department for organisations, making high-quality funding support both accessible and affordable for those who need it most.
Before founding Livaty, Atif worked within the tax relief sector, supporting a wide range of organisations in securing financial benefits through R&D and other incentives. Recognising a gap in affordable, hands-on support for smaller organisations, he launched Livaty to make a more meaningful difference.
In just over a year, Atif has developed a unique model, built strong relationships with clients across multiple sectors and become an active contributor to several professional and community groups across Manchester, all with the goal of creating lasting impact and inspiring growth.
As a passionate advocate for business growth and social impact, Faz supports small and medium sized enterprises across the North West, working closely with founders, leaders and teams to help them navigate real world challenges, build confidence and create sustainable, meaningful change. Drawing on lived experience and years of hands on leadership, Faz brings a practical, people first approach to business growth that goes beyond theory.
Through her work, Faz connects communities, businesses and decision makers, creating spaces where collaboration, inclusion and opportunity can thrive. She is particularly passionate about breaking down barriers, championing underrepresented voices and helping others recognise their potential, whether that is in business, leadership or community impact. Her work is grounded in authenticity, resilience and a genuine commitment to empowering others to move forward with clarity and confidence.
Nathan leads the HR practice for Michael Page across the North West and North East, specialising in senior to executive-level HR appointments. He has a strong track record of driving inclusive hiring processes that result in highly intersectional placements.
Passionate about Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) and Social Impact, Nathan actively champions meaningful change in both the workplace and wider community. As a person of Black mixed-race heritage, he is committed to fostering understanding, empathy, and action to create equitable opportunities for all.
Nathan chairs PageGroup’s UK DE&I & Social Impact Board and advises the Northern DE&I Board. He leads national DE&I initiatives across Unity@Page (Race & Multiculture), Women@Page (Gender), and SocialMobility@Page.
Nathan was inducted into the 2025 Change Maker Advocacy List for the WeArePoWEr / Northern Power Women, won the ‘Life Changer – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion’ award at the 2022 PageGroup Life Changer Awards and was shortlisted for the ‘Diversity & Inclusivity Champion’ award at the 2021 Made in Manchester Awards. He also presents at HR thought leader events, with a focus on how to create diverse and inclusive working cultures, including how to attract top talent with an inclusive approach.
Interested In The Event?
If you’re interested in attending, you can book online here.
