This is the perfect opportunity to hear first-hand accounts from successful entrepreneurs. The Bettany Centre Entrepreneurship Speaker Series gives you the chance to hear from a variety of entrepreneurs from across a range of industries.
The speakers will give you an insight in to their journey, identifying their successes and any mistakes that they may have made along their way. You will also be given the opportunity to ask questions, allowing you to delve even further in to the backstory of these well-established entrepreneurs.
Attending these events will provide you with a great chance to network with like-minded individuals who share your passion for entrepreneurship.
The events are entirely free of charge and refreshments are supplied (face-to-face events only).
All of our Speaker Series events take place at 17:30 on Thursday evenings in November and February.
Thelma Ekiyor - 19 November 2026
International CEO
Ms. Thelma Ekiyor is the author of Women Entrepreneurs as Catalysts in Post-Conflict Africa and an award-winning global leader in women’s economic empowerment, philanthropy, impact investing, and international development, with over 27 years of experience across Africa, Europe, and the UK.
Pioneering leader across international development, impact investing, and philanthropy, Thelma has founded several institutions, including SME.NG, Afrigrants, and is a co-founder of Women in Philanthropy & Impact Africa (WIPIA) . Her leadership and expertise in impact investing and philanthropy are reflected in her roles as Honorary Chairperson of the Nigeria Office for Philanthropy and Impact Investing in the Office of the Vice President; Senior Adviser to the African Diaspora Network’s African Women in Diaspora platform; and Member of the Gender Advisory Board of the African Venture Philanthropy Alliance.
Recognized among Africa’s 50 Most Influential Women in Development, she has received multiple international awards for her contributions to philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, and women’s empowerment. Thelma is a Doctoral Researcher at Cranfield University, holds an MBA from Imperial College London and an LLB from the University of Buckingham, and serves on various boards and investment committees across Africa and Europe.
