Page 122 - Powerlist 2020

RODNEY WILLIAMS Development Programme for Diverse
Lead Project Manager, National Grid Leaders, designed to fast-track
and support BAME employees into
Rodney Williams is the Lead Project positions of management.
Manager at National Grid on the Rodney’s work with ONE was
Integrated Security Solutions project, recognised when he recently
where he is responsible for a team won the National Grid Chairman’s
of engineers delivering a national Award. He has also been named on
programme of construction projects. lists recognising the movers and
Since 2016, he has also led the shakers in the word of diversity and
National Grid’s multicultural employee been interviewed by ITV’s Tonight
resource group, ONE, which was programme regarding his work on
created to support black and Asian inclusion and diversity within the
employees in the workplace. Under business world.
his stewardship, membership for the Rodney is a regular speaker on
group has increased by 95 per cent. diversity and is also a trustee for City
In addition Rodney co-founded the Year UK, a youth social action charity.

MO THE COMEDIAN AKA MO GILLIGAN
If 2018 was Mo Gilligan’s breakthrough year, then
2019 was what cemented him as one of the staples of
mainstream UK British comedy. The Lambeth-born rising
star made his debut as the host of his own Channel 4
chat show, The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan, earlier
this year, having already stolen the show as co-host of
the BAFTA-nominated The Big Narstie Show for two
seasons. The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan has featured
A-list guests such as Jada Pinkett Smith, Mel B and David
Schwimmer and Mo’s down-to-earth personality and
endearing humour has seen him rock toe-to-toe with all
his guests, helping him to carve a niche that is a breath of
fresh air for TV audiences. He was named ‘The Funniest
OLUCHI IKECHI Man in Britain’ by The Times, and his debut ‘Coupla Cans’
stand-up tour smashed records selling over 50,000
Managing Director, Head of Business stand-up tour smashed records selling over 50,000
tickets to date, including a huge two-
Restructuring and Innovation, Accenture tickets to date, including a huge two-
week West End residency, where
week West End residency, where
Oluchi is a rising star in Accenture’s financial services several dates sold out in minutes.
several dates sold out in minutes.
business: she built and now leads the firm’s business Mo’s debut Netflix original
Mo’s debut Netflix original
restructuring unit in the UK and Ireland. Through her stand-up special Momentum was
stand-up special Momentum was
work, she creates innovative solutions for global banks globally released in 190 countries
globally released in 190 countries
plus asset and wealth management firms, leading multi- this year.
One would be forgiven for
billion-pound restructuring deals (including divestments, One would be forgiven for
M&A, business transfers and Brexit). thinking that Mo’s rise has
thinking that Mo’s rise has
been an overnight success,
An advocate for entrepreneurship, Oluchi mentors been an overnight success,
entrepreneurs and FinTechs and sponsors Accenture’s but anyone who is
but anyone who is
African and Caribbean Financial Services Community, a fan of comedy
a fan of comedy
actively supporting those from diverse backgrounds and on social media,
on social media,
encouraging leadership development. She also supports where his reach
where his reach
this community outside of the workplace and previously runs into multiple
runs into multiple
millions, most
was the Business Executive for a Nigerian non-profit millions, most
organisation, the Igbo Cultural and Support Network likely would have
likely would have
(ICSN), for young professionals, where she secured already come
already come
annual admission for ICSN members on AMEX’s highly across him, as
across him, as
his sketches
recognised leadership development programme. his sketches
In 2019, Management Today listed her among their regularly go
regularly go
prestigious list of 35 Women Under 35, while the Nigerian viral, trend and
viral, trend and
have been co-
community also recognised her with an award for her have been co-
outstanding contribution. Oluchi has also been selected signed by famous
signed by famous
names such as Drake
as finalist for an award for her outstanding achievement names such as Drake
and Stormzy.
by the Black Women in Business Awards organisation. and Stormzy.
122 Powerlist 2020