Dr Yvonne Thompson

Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE is a distinguished business leader, communications strategist, and advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion. Originally from Guyana, South America, she has spent over four decades shaping the landscape of British enterprise and representation. With a career spanning music, media, entrepreneurship, and leadership development, Yvonne has become one of the UK’s most influential voices in promoting opportunity for women and ethnic minority communities. Her remarkable achievements, coupled with her global speaking experience, make her a compelling and inspiring figure for audiences seeking to understand how inclusion drives innovation and growth.

Yvonne’s career began after studying Communications, Advertising and Marketing at the College of Distributive Trades. In 1975, she joined CBS Records (now Sony Music) as a Press Officer, becoming one of the first Black women to hold such a position in the UK music industry. Recognising the need for greater representation, she went on to found her own public relations company, ASAP Communications Ltd, one of the first Black-owned PR agencies in Britain. Her early work in music journalism, writing for industry titles and serving as Music Editor for Root magazine, laid the foundation for her later success as a media pioneer and entrepreneur.

Over the years, Yvonne has earned an impressive list of appointments and accolades. She was a founding member of Choice FM – the UK’s first Black music radio station, now Capital XTRA – and later served as Chair of The Radio Academy. In 2003, she was appointed a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to Black and minority ethnic business, and in 2014 she completed a PhD in Global Diversity and Enterprise at Plymouth University. Her roles have included Chair of the African Caribbean Business Network, President of the European Federation of Black Women Business Owners, and Chairwoman of OKRE. She is also a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London and a Freeman of the City of London.

Yvonne is regularly invited to speak at international conferences, having delivered over 150 engagements worldwide. As Founder of WinTrade Global Women Entrepreneurs Network, she champions inclusive leadership and women’s enterprise. Her wealth of experience, commitment to empowering underrepresented voices, and ability to connect with diverse audiences make her an exceptional and sought-after BAME speaker who embodies the principles of equity, leadership, and global progress.