Page 68 - Powerlist 2019 - Digital Edition

Media, Publishing & Entertainment Tunde Ogungbesan

INTERVIEW

He’s responsible for making the BBC, the world’s largest broadcaster, more inclusive and
refl ective of modern Britain on and off screen. Tunde Ogungbesan talks to Eva Simpson
about making a difference, the importance of having a mentor and why black women
shouldn’t be worried about their hair at work...

Improving equality and opportunities What did it teach you?
for people from minority backgrounds Discipline, respect, which is very
is at the heart of what you do. Have you important, and focus. I knew I was going
always been acutely aware of the issues to university and I was surrounded by
facing those communities? people who had the same mindset. It
Absolutely. One of my earliest also taught me how to have goals.
memories is of when I was five and
going to school in Dagenham. I was the In a way you wouldn’t have been
first black child ever to go to the school taught in the UK?
and I had to fight almost every day. I may have, but there was no guarantee.
If you remember the primary school
Because you were black? experience – you’re not dealing with
Yes. The white kids would wait that in Nigeria.
for me and walk me into
school and then it would How did you end up
start. Then we moved to working in an area where
Banbury where we were discrimination is still a
the only black family in challenge?
the whole town. I still The very first job I
had to physically fight got was the Inland
every day. That was Revenue as a
the only way I could taxman. Without
hit back at the racism me knowing it,
that was coming at that was going
me because I was to determine
different. my future. My
line manager
So you spent your sat me down
entire childhood to talk about
fighting? my future.
I actually enjoyed He said I was
my childhood, doing really
despite all that. well and
When I was 14, my that by the
family moved to time I retired
Nigeria and racism I’d be a senior
was suddenly not an manager which
issue any more. meant from 23
to 60, I’d only have
What was that like? two promotions in my
It was hard, but I look life. And I thought, you
back today and I’m know what, I’m out of
very grateful. I don’t here. Our ambitions didn’t
think I’d be the person match up so I left and
that I am today without that eventually joined PWC. They are
experience. It’s important to the reason why I am a professional,
know your culture. they knocked me into shape, it’s why I
always wear a tie.

64 Powerlist 2019