"Without collaboration, inclusive practices mean nothing.
Together, we can change make the difference."
Trusted by leading organisations
Who is Joel?
Joel is a well-respected business leader, entrepreneur, board advisor and keynote speaker, who helps organisations feel more confident about adapting to a more balanced and inclusive world of business.
Affectionately known as the 'Rebel In A Suit', he is unapologetically focused on transforming positive change from within based on his authenticity and 'win/win' approach, and is a highly sought after motivational speaker, award-winning advisor and leading consultant for inclusive equity and business growth solutions.
He uniquely balances executive commercial expertise with real societal impact
He is the Founder and CEO of GFA Exchange, an AI-enabled fintech startup and consultancy service that trains the risk models of financial lenders to eradicate bias, so they can help more businesses grow with less risk and less cost. Joel is also the founding Director of the Financial Inclusion Network cic, a not-for-profit consultancy that helps professional firms implement more responsible business strategies, through data analysis, peer leaders forums, and bespoke delivery.
His commitment to help large organisations do well and do good was evident aged 21, where he designed and led an Executive CSR Mentoring program supporting over 250 business leaders before building a successful international diversity and inclusion consulting service working with blue-chip companies and PLCs with over £1 billion + in revenues per year.
He then took his expertise into the world of sport as the UK Inclusion Lead for England Golf before coming back to the financial services sector, where he became a partner in a £200 million UK SME financing program, which funded the start-up of over 700 businesses.
Joel is also a Board advisor for Taranis Capital, an emerging global fintech investment fund based in the Middle East region, a Business Ambassador for financial technology software company Sage, and a Charity Chair and Trustee
He was recognised for his contribution to business growth, with an OBE for Services to Business Support and Enterprise in 2016.
Other awards include:
- ESG Entrepreneur of the Year: CityAM 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!
