Page 120 - Powerlist 2020

RISING STARS

ON THE UP!

Who are we championing as our ‘ones to watch’ this year? As always, it is a vibrant
mix from an array of industries, who are making a huge impact and forcing the world
to sit up and take notice. We’re excited to witness what the next 12 months will
bring… nothing short of epic black excellence we are sure. Remember we told you!
By Adenike Adenitire

SAMUEL ROSS MARIAM OGUNBAMBI
Founder and Creative Director, A-Cold-Wall Head of Card Operations, Starling Bank
Landing a job with American design guru, DJ and then Mariam is a rising star in the world of Tech and is
Kanye West’s stylist and collaborator, Virgil Abloh, currently the Head of Card Operations at Starling Bank,
was the trigger point that propelled Brixton-born the first mobile-only cloud-based bank offering UK
streetwear designer Samuel Ross to stratospheric current accounts.
success. This was back in 2012, and Abloh, who is now Since joining she has been integral to the process of
chief executive of Louis Vuitton building the core banking components and ensuring
menswear, contacted Samuel that Starling systems are purpose-built for secure, real-
after spotting pictures and time banking.
designs of his streetwear She joined as a consultant in September 2015
label 2wnt4 (which he and quickly transitioned into a permanent role as
had set up with long-time Programme Manager, where she was responsible for
friend Ace Harper) on delivering the integration between Starling’s own
Instagram and soon took systems and the wider industry, working with everyone
the De Montfort University from new fintech start-ups to traditional central banks,
first-class graphic design including the Bank of England, the Financial Conduct
and illustration graduate Authority and the HM Treasury.
under his wing as a mentee. In December 2017, she was awarded with one of the
This was also shortly before Abloh most lauded honours for young women in the British
launched Milan-based fashion house Off-White, so the Tech industry, WeAreTechWomen’s TechWomen50
two quickly became tight, with Abloh making Samuel Award. The annual awards recognise
his assistant, and later consultant, for the now uber the impact of individuals and
cool brand and other projects he was working on companies in Tech and Mariam
Three years later, at the age of just 24, Samuel was one of 50 women
launched his own brand A-Cold-Wall, originally as an selected from a shortlist
art project to explore the nuances of the British class of 100. A year later she
system, but it swiftly grew into a fashion line. Now, picked up a Future Stars of
more than 200 stockists retail the label which achieved Tech Award in the fintech
a turnover of £5million in 2018. Fans include Joffe, with category.
the late Karl Lagerfeld also being a strong supporter, Mariam began her career
and the brand has enjoyed hook-ups with Nike, Oakley at IBM in 2012 as a Business
and Diesel co-founder Renzo Rosso. Samuel has Consultant. She assumed a
appeared in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and a has variety of roles on two high-profile
shelf full of awards include the British Fashion Council projects, allowing her to work closely with developers
GQ Fashion Fund Award, Fashion Awards 2018 British and testers. During her time on the projects she was
Emerging Menswear Designer and the 2019 Hublot recognised for her contribution and was presented
Design Prize. with an award from the IBM senior leadership team.

120 Powerlist 2020