Dr Doyin Atewologun, Reader and Director of the Gender, Leadership and Inclusion Centre at Cranfield University, has won the Inspiring Board Leader of the Year award at The Precious Awards. The Precious Awards celebrate the professional achievements of women of colour in the UK.

Dr Atewologun was recognised for her work in highlighting BAME female board-ready talent in the 2019 Women to Watch supplement to the Female FTSE Board Report. Produced in collaboration with the Black British Business Awards and The Network of Networks BAME – Multicultural Chapter (TNON), the Women to Watch  supplement features women from a range of sectors and from across the BAME spectrum.

Dr Atewologun says, “What an honour to receive this Precious Award! It recognises the work that has been underway at Cranfield School of Management for many years, which challenges the narrative that there is a lack of female talent, and BAME talent, suitable for board level positions.”

Professor David Oglethorpe, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Cranfield School of Management, said, “Cranfield has a reputation for excellent research which influences the way we think about the world. I’m so delighted to see Doyin recognised for bringing this research to the boardrooms of today. The work she and the wider team are doing is so important and is truly breaking boundaries.

Working with Professor Sue Vinnicombe, Dr Patricia Pryce and Fatima Tresh, Dr Atewologun produced the Women to Watch supplement – sponsored by the Black British Business Awards and The Network of Networks - to accompany the Female FTSE Board Report in July 2019, prompting wide-spread interest in, and debate around, the issue of diversity on corporate boards. The Female FTSE Board Report 2019 revealed that only 11% of women on FTSE 100 boards were from BAME backgrounds.