"Without inclusion,
positive change is incremental.
By embracing difference, positive change is transformational!"
Trusted by leading organisations
Who is Joel?
Joel is a well-respected leader, board advisor, keynote speaker and host, who helps organisations adapt to a more inclusive and sustainable world.
Affectionately known as the 'Rebel In A Suit', he is unapologetically focused on financial inclusion, with an authentic and 'win/win' approach of support.
He is a highly sought after for his ability to harness inclusion to deliver impactful finance and innovative growth solutions, within traditional markets.
He uniquely balances executive commercial acumen with real sustainable impact
Joel is the Founder of the GFA Exchange, an AI-enabled data platform-as-a-service solution designed to train the risk models of finance providers to eradicate bias, so they can help more businesses to grow with less risk and less cost.
With over 20 years of experience across finance, EDI and technology, he is also a keynote speaker and advises fintechs on how to develop inclusive governance and business models to drive innovation, foster inclusive cultures and access new diverse markets.
He is also a Board advisor for Taranis Capital, an emerging global fintech investment fund based in the Middle East region, a Charity Chair and Trustee.
At aged 21, he designed and led an Executive CSR Mentoring program supporting over 250 business leaders before building a successful global inclusive innovation consulting service, working with collaboration with banks, blue-chip companies and global PLCs. Aged 30, he took his expertise into the world of sport, as the UK Inclusion Lead for England Golf.
He then come back to the financial services sector, where he co-founded an SME lending brokerage and partnered in a £200 million UK SME financing program, which funded the start-up of over 700 businesses underserved by mainstream providers.
After exit, he entered the policy arena leading a 3-year Access to Finance ecosystem development strategy to support 6, 500 regional SMEs and helped to facilitate the deployment over £250 million in mid-market growth finance, as well as advising on government policies and creating global digital trading partnerships across 10 countries.
He was recognised for his contribution to business with an O.B.E for Services to Business Support and Enterprise in 2016.
Other awards include:
- ESG Entrepreneur of the Year: City AM Impact AM Awards 2023
- Fintech of the Year: Wealth and Finance International Awards 2023
- Top 50 Tech Disruptor (Midlands) - Business Desk 2023
- Fintech of the Year: BTA Awards 2022
- Inno50 Business of the Year: Mills & Reeves 2019
- Entrepreneur Ecosystem Development Award: E2E Exchange 2019
- Entrepreneur of the Year: Phoenix Media Awards 2017
- Local Leaders Award: Future Leaders Club 2016
- Winner - Top 100 UK Entrepreneurs: Maserati 100 2015
- Birmingham Young Professional Year for Recruitment & Training: BYPY 2010
- Finalist: 02 X Award Male Entrepreneur of the Year 2009
- Finalist, Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Black Enterprise Awards 2007
- Finalist, Birmingham Young Professional of the Year: BYPY 2006
Business judging
Joel is regularly asked to judge a number of business awards. Some of these include:
- Great British Entrepreneur Awards
- EY Entrepreneur of the Year
- Business Book Awards
- Business Leader Go: Tech Awards
- Women in IT Awards UK
- Business Cloud EnviroTech 50 Awards
If you are looking for an authentic, personable, inspiring leader...
To help you improve inclusion as part of your finance, ESG and business support practices, then contact Joel today!
