Dr. Yvonne V Thompson CBE sees the big picture – a world filled with endless possibilities where girls and women are given equal opportunities to thrive, become their best selves, and effect change, a world where minorities are integrated and given a voice, a world where small businesses are lent a helping hand to help scale up and boost sales, making the entrepreneurial journey much easier. In essence, a more diverse, inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous world!

Thompson CBE from Guyana, South America is an established British business leader and active voice in the fight for gender equality. She is founder of Wintrade Global, the first-ever business network focused on diverse women in Europe, and around the world. A learning hub, her organization, under the tutelage of industry experts, has hosted a range of events, pieces of training, and networking opportunities for women, to see them empowered and taking their rightful places as change agents in society.

Hailed as a role model in the Black community and beyond for the womenfolk, Ms. Thompson’s impact has inspired individuals to be more independent and take charge of their lives. Her work is geared towards women-owned businesses, buttressing the need for diversity and gender equality in the workplace. She is frequently referred to as “Britain’s first black self-made woman millionaire”.

A trailblazing woman of many firsts in the United Kingdom, apart from being a founder member of the first black radio commercial station, Choice FM, she also makes history as the first Music Editor for the UK’s first Black Monthly glossy magazine – Root. She is also noted for launching the first Black Owned PR company, now ASAP Communications, the first in-depth research of the lifestyle of the Black community across the UK – The Black Consumer Survey and kicking off the first Black Women Business Network – The European Federation of Black Women Business Owners.

Armed with a rich PR and marketing background, and over three decades of the wealth of experience with a proven track record of building high performers to show, Yvonne Thompson CBE has successfully
managed to navigate her career journey from freelance writing to entrepreneur and business leader.

Thompson has lent her expertise, leaving her mark on public sector boards, including Chairing the London Central Learning and Skills Council, DTI’s Ethnic Minority Business Forum, African Caribbean Business Network, among others.

In the business terrain, as part of efforts toward addressing issues concerning small businesses, women, and minorities, the business leader has sat with high-profile personalities including Prime Ministers, ministers, and business moguls.

Yvonne Thompson CBE’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, in the UK and across the globe, ushering in well-deserved accolades including being named in the Queen’s Birthday Honors List and awarded a CBE (Commander Of The British Empire) in 2003 for her services to women, small business and minorities. She was also honored
by the Mayor of Houston Texas, with her own day, – Yvonne Thompson Day every 4th of January as well as being named in Washington in the Congressional Records. In 2005 she was awarded an honorary doctorate by London Metropolitan University for services to small businesses, and mass communications.

Ms. Thompson has chaired many governmental committees, including the DTI (now BIS), the Learning & Skills Councils, and sat on many boards including the first Mayoral advisory board for the LDA(London Development Agency).