“A riveting read - and a welcome reminder of why good role models are important.”
Paul Cuttill, Chief Operating Officer, EDF Energy
“Role models raise our aspirations and call us to achieve. This collection of stories is about people who have demonstrated that individuals can make a difference that is meaningful: not just in terms of their own lives, but for business and society as a whole.”
Bob Wigley, Chairman, Merrill Lynch - Europe, Middle East and Africa
We all need to be inspired. We all need help to raise our expectations about what we might be and do in life. We all need somebody to show us what is possible, and to encourage us to both aim higher and look deeper in ourselves.
This is a book that aims to do just that, by providing an insight into the lives of a selection of role models – real people from British Minority Ethnic backgrounds who have achieved a great deal in very different walks of life. Some, like actor Colin Salmon are famous. Others, like Karan Bilimoria have started their own hugely successful businesses. Many have contributed to society in very significant ways, by starting a charity, entering politics or rising to a senior position in the police force. What they have in common is that they are all willing to reveal something about themselves that also shows us something about ourselves.
Whether you call yourself Black, White or any shade in between, there is something in this book for you. If it helps you raise your sights, broaden your mind and achieve your dreams, then it will have succeeded.
Steven D’ Souza
Steven D’Souza is an accomplished speaker and writer on diversity issues and is currently the Diversity and Organisational Development Manager for Merrill Lynch Europe Plc.
Previously Steven was sponsored by the Home Office on the Windsor Fellowship Programme of which he later became Programme Director and Business Development Manager. He has coached minority ethnic students at the Windsor Fellowship in strategies for success on behalf of various companies including the Home Office, the BBC, Goldman Sachs and the Foreign Office.
Steven has extensive experience in working with minority ethnic young people in education and also working with minority ethnic staff groups in employment. He has worked as an Assessor for the Home Office Network and the Probation Service Network and is a regular writer for publications such as the Independent 'Opportunity' Magazine and also Hobsons 'Career Guides' for Minority Ethnic Students.
Steven's passions include coaching and volunteer work, and he is committed to working with others to fulfil their potential. Steven sits on the Governing Board of the City of Westminster College, London.
Patrick Clarke
Born on the 4th of July in Jamaica, Patrick Clarke is an experienced Director and general manager, initially specialising in Electrical Engineering. He has now turned his talents to a Directors role in Human Resources and Communications. He describes himself as specialising in people and has spent much of the last 25 year “giving back” to his communities.
As well as the numerous senior roles held by Patrick within EDF Energy and it’s former companies, he his particularly proud of the period when he was responsible for “keeping the lights on in London”, Head of Networks for London.
Patrick speaks fondly of his many community responsibilities during the past 25 years. He became a school governor a few years after leaving school in the early 80’s, became a policeman in the then Police “Force”, not service, as a result of the 1981 and 1984 Brixton riots. Immediately after leaving the Police he became one of the early Lay Visitor to police stations in Lambeth (appointed by the Home Office) and eventually vice-chair of that body. He went on to further engage with his communities by taking on a trustee’s role within a small housing association responsible for a stock of 400 houses.
Over this period Patrick specialised in spending time in local schools imparting his learning and experience to children. He is currently Chairman and director of a social enterprise and charity responsible for the running of a children’s breakfast club, children’s day nursery, after school club, community care and outsourced community restaurant.
